Séamus Boland Discusses Poverty, AI, and Migration with Pope Leo XIV

Séamus Boland, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, discussing critical issues such as poverty, the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), and migration. Boland, a farmer and civil society activist from Ballycumber, Co Offaly, expressed that it was “an extraordinary honour” to engage with the Pope, who demonstrated empathy for the topics addressed.

During their meeting, Boland highlighted the urgent issue of poverty in Europe, where approximately 21% of the population, equating to around 90 million people, face poverty and social exclusion. He recalled a significant period from 2010 to 2020 when the EU made substantial efforts to combat poverty, urging a revival of this critical debate.

He stated, “We didn’t discuss housing today, but housing across Europe is causing enormous poverty among young, working people and older people.” The EESC has called for the EU to declare a housing emergency, warning that inadequate housing can foster extremism. Boland stressed, “If current governments don’t deliver real measures to get people back into housing, we are going to drive them away from democratic institutions.”

Addressing AI and Its Implications

Boland also raised concerns about AI, particularly regarding the dangers posed by deepfake technology, which he referred to as “the newest tragedy” affecting young people on social media. He shared that the EU advocates for stringent AI regulation but noted that consensus is not yet achieved globally.

“The mental health of young people is becoming a major issue,” Boland remarked, adding that the Pope expressed understanding of the challenges young individuals face. He also pointed out the potential impact of AI on workers, as the technology advances rapidly.

Rejecting parallels drawn between AI and the Gutenberg printing press, Boland emphasized the need for urgent political action across Europe, stating, “AI is a long way from perfection and can be unreliable.” He warned that ignoring the implications for workers could lead to unprecedented unemployment rates, necessitating substantial resources for compensation and re-education.

Migration and Human Dignity

Boland took time during his visit to praise the ‘Angels Unaware’ sculpture in St Peter’s Square, dedicated to migrants and refugees. He noted, “It’s quite an impressive sculpture of a boat full of people,” highlighting the message of compassion conveyed by Pope Francis.

Boland emphasized the importance of managing migration thoughtfully, stating, “Managing migration badly can be a bigger threat to human dignity.” He reiterated the necessity for a proper debate on migration, recognizing that many European countries require migrants. “What we don’t need is uncontrolled management of the system, which brings migrants into situations of horrible accommodation.”

He concluded by reflecting on his duty as EESC president, stating the need to incorporate civil society into policymaking processes. He shared an anecdote about civil society organizations being on the ground during Storm Éowyn, emphasizing that their role should extend beyond disaster response to proactive disaster planning.

This meeting not only served to address pressing societal issues but also reinforced the EESC’s commitment to advocating for civil society’s role in shaping policy across Europe. Boland’s dialogue with Pope Leo XIV underscores the urgent need for collaboration and empathy in tackling these critical challenges.