Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, titled "Magnifica Humanitas," on Monday, calling for artificial intelligence to be "disarmed" and more strictly regulated. The Pope personally presented the encyclical at the Vatican.
In the document, Pope Leo warned of what he termed "new digital slaveries" and argued that AI must be "disarmed" to prevent "domination, exclusion, and death." He stated that as civilization grapples with the power of artificial intelligence, the main challenge is remaining "profoundly human."
The pontiff called for regulation of artificial intelligence to ensure it is used for the common good rather than for profit. He warned of dangers from a technological revolution driven by what he described as "the idolatry of profit." Pope Leo insisted that ownership of artificial intelligence data must not be left solely in private hands.
Regarding military applications, Pope Leo warned that some AI-powered weapons systems are becoming "practically beyond human control." He cautioned that artificial intelligence can help spread misinformation and normalize war.
According to DW, the Pope also issued an unprecedented apology for the church in connection with this encyclical, though the specific subject of that apology was not detailed in the available reporting.
This encyclical represents Pope Leo's first major teaching document since becoming Pope last year. The document outlines the Pope's position on technology and its impact on humanity, addressing both the potential benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence.
The Washington Examiner reported that Pope Leo called for regulation of AI to ensure it serves the common good. The Financial Times noted the Pope's warning about the "idolatry of profit" driving technological development. Al Jazeera highlighted the Pope's insistence that AI data ownership should not remain exclusively in private hands.
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