In his words
I am delighted to support the Rome AI Call, which emphasizes the dignity of every human being amid technological change.
Biography
Justin Welby (born 1956) served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 2013 until his resignation in late 2024. A former oil-industry executive before his ordination, he led the Anglican Communion through a turbulent decade and engaged repeatedly with questions of ethics and technology.
Signing the Rome Call
On 30 April 2024, Welby travelled to Rome to sign the Rome Call for AI Ethics on behalf of the Church of England — the Vatican-initiated pledge, championed by figures such as Paolo Benanti, that commits signatories to principles of transparency, inclusion, responsibility, and human-centered design. Microsoft, IBM, and multiple faith traditions had already added their names.
While we can’t predict the future, we do know that there will continue to be rapid developments in science and technology, and we need to be prepared.
Welby’s stance is one of preparation and engagement rather than alarm: he accepts that AI is advancing quickly and argues the Church’s job is to help ensure it develops with human dignity — “not for profit or productivity” — at its heart.
Where they stand in the war
Who backs them up
Sources & further reading
Canonical record: https://battlelines.ai/topic/justin-welby