Key Takeaways
- Oleksandra Matviichuk stresses that current global order, rooted in the UN Charter and international law, has collapsed, leaving humanity vulnerable to brutal force.
- She argues that technology—especially AI integrated into nuclear weapons—must be placed after human dignity, not before it.
- Reforming intergovernmental organizations, beginning with a “cardinal reform” of the UN system, is essential to protect civilians from mass violence and authoritarianism.
- Matviichuk highlights Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas as a vital moral guide for navigating AI’s ethical challenges.
- She calls for proactive regulation of emerging technologies before they deepen the arms race, warning that waiting until harm occurs is tantamount to losing the battle before it starts.
- The Global Nobel Laureates Assembly in Castel Gandolfo produced the “Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace,” but its impact will depend on concrete follow‑up actions.
Context of the Speech
Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, addressed Vatican News on the sidelines of the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War. The gathering, held from July 14‑16 at the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo, brought together over 200 Nobel laureates, scientists, religious leaders, and former heads of state. The event culminated in the signing of the “Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace” at Rome’s Capitoline Hill, a pledge to curb militarization and promote dialogue.
The Collapse of the Existing World Order
Matviichuk opened by stating that the world order founded on the United Nations Charter and international law has effectively collapsed. She described the current era as “very turbulent,” noting that legal frameworks meant to safeguard peace and human rights are no longer reliable. In her view, this vacuum forces societies to confront a stark choice: rely on law or submit to brute force. The question she posed—“How will we defend human beings, their lives, their freedom and their dignity?”—captures the urgency she feels among global citizens.
Technology Must Serve Humanity, Not the Reverse
A central theme of her remarks was the need to place human beings ahead of technological progress. Matviichuk warned that too much discourse focuses on the capabilities of AI and other innovations while insufficient attention is given to their ethical implications for humanity. She insisted that any discussion about technology in warfare must begin with the question of how it affects human dignity, rather than how it enhances destructive power.
AI in Nuclear Weapons Systems
During a session titled “Technology in the Service of Humanity,” Matviichuk specifically examined the integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear weapons systems. She argued that embedding AI in such arsenals raises profound risks, potentially lowering the threshold for nuclear use and making conflicts more unpredictable. The Center for Civil Liberties, which documents war crimes in Ukraine, has observed firsthand how emerging technologies can exacerbate violence, underscoring the need for stringent oversight.
Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical as a Moral Compass
Matviichuk praised Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas as a “very important document” that addresses the safeguarding of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. She expressed gratitude that the Pope is turning attention to AI’s ethical dimensions, noting that the encyclical arrives at a moment when legal and ethical answers are scarce. For her, the papal text offers clarity and a moral framework that can guide policymakers, technologists, and civil society alike.
The Need for Preventive Regulation
Beyond reflection, Matviichuk urged proactive regulation of technology before its harmful potentials become entrenched. She likened the current situation to “losing this battle without having entered it,” warning that waiting for harm to manifest before acting is a dangerous complacency. Effective regulation, she argued, must anticipate misuse—especially in the realms of AI‑driven surveillance, autonomous weapons, and nuclear command‑and‑control—and establish binding norms that prioritize civilian protection.
Reforming the United Nations System
A “cardinal reform of the UN system” emerged as a second pillar of her peace‑proposed solution. Matviichuk contended that the existing UN architecture fails to shield people from mass violence, authoritarianism, and war, citing crises in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Gaza as evidence. She argued that a revitalized UN—equipped with stronger enforcement mechanisms, greater accountability, and a renewed emphasis on human security—is indispensable for restoring faith in multilateralism and slowing the global arms race.
Hope Tempered by Realism
Despite the gravity of the challenges, Matviichuk expressed appreciation for the opportunity to dialogue with experts, intellectuals, and leaders from diverse backgrounds at the Nobel Laureates Assembly. She described her expectations for the conference’s impact as “moderate,” emphasizing that the true value of the Rome Declaration will hinge on sustained follow‑up actions. In her view, declarations are only as powerful as the commitment of signatories to translate promises into concrete policies, oversight mechanisms, and grassroots initiatives.
Conclusion: A Call to Re‑center Humanity
Oleksandra Matviichuk’s address distilled a pressing message: peace in the 21st century demands that we first re‑define what it means to be human, then ensure that technology serves that definition rather than undermines it. By reforming intergovernmental institutions—particularly the UN—pre‑emptively regulating AI and nuclear technologies, and drawing on moral guidance such as Magnifica Humanitas, she believes the international community can begin to reverse the erosion of law, curb the arms race, and protect human dignity worldwide. The path forward, she insists, will require vigilance, cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to place people before progress.