Pope Leo XIV Calls for Robust AI Regulation in First Encyclical
Pope Leo XIV has issued a sweeping manifesto warning against the dangers of artificial intelligence and calling for developers to prioritize the common good over profit
On Monday, Pope Leo XIV issued a sweeping call for the robust regulation of artificial intelligence, pleading with the technology's developers to work for the common good of society rather than focusing solely on financial profit. He made the appeal in a major new manifesto aimed at safeguarding humankind at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming everything from the nature of daily work to the conduct of war.[1][2][3]
The manifesto, titled "Magnifica Humanitas" (Magnificent Humanity), represents Leo's very first encyclical. The document has been eagerly awaited by the public and religious observers ever since history's first U.S.-born pope announced, just days after his election, that he considered artificial intelligence to be the single biggest challenge currently facing humanity today.[1]
In the text of the encyclical, Pope Leo strongly denounced what he termed the "culture of power" driving the current global AI race, specifically criticizing the development of increasingly sophisticated methods of remote warfare. He declared that it is "not permissible" for humans to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to autonomous AI systems, setting up another potential flashpoint.[1]
