Pope Leo XIV on Monday issued a sweeping encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," demanding the robust regulation of artificial intelligence. The document, the first by the history's first U.S.-born pope, calls on developers to prioritize the common good over profit and power.
In the text, Leo denounced what he called a "culture of power" in the AI race, specifically targeting the development of remote warfare systems. He declared it "not permissible" to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to AI systems, setting up a potential clash with the Trump administration's push for AI deregulation.
"Artificial Intelligence now demands to be disarmed, freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion and death," Leo said during a special Vatican presentation.
Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah welcomed the criticism, stating that external checks are fundamental to ensuring AI benefits humanity. The document is expected to become a benchmark in the global AI debate, as concerns over job displacement and ethical boundaries intensify.
Leo also issued the first-ever papal apology for the Holy See's historical role in legitimizing slavery, extending his concern for human dignity in labor.
