Pope Leo XIV issued a manifesto calling for strong regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the common good over profit. His first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas”, addresses the challenges AI poses to humanity, impacting various sectors from employment to warfare.
Pope Leo criticized the power dynamics fueling the AI race, particularly concerning the development of advanced remote warfare technology. He made it clear that entrusting irreversible decisions to AI is unacceptable, marking a point of contention with the Trump administration’s deregulation stance on AI development.
The pope highlighted AI as an instrument requiring disarmament, free from being a tool of domination and exclusion, to encourage safe and ethical use. Tech industry experts and scholars believe this document will become a significant reference in AI ethical debates, addressing concerns of AI replacing human labor and intelligence.
The encyclical was signed on May 15, 2026, and is expected to influence policy-making and ethical considerations in AI development. It coincided with remarks from Anthropic, a key player in AI technology currently embroiled in legal disputes concerning AI access and regulation.
The pope urges AI developers and political leaders to pause and reflect on their responsibilities, using ethical and spiritual guidelines to prioritize human welfare. He emphasizes the need for legal frameworks, independent oversight, and informed user participation.
Significant contributors to the AI debate, such as Microsoft AI executive Taylor Black and Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah, expressed support for regulatory checks on AI. They stress the importance of diverse, moral voices guiding AI development for human benefit.
In the encyclical’s strong chapters, Pope Leo denounces AI’s role in normalizing war by reducing human sensitivity to its consequences. He stresses transparency in AI weaponry use, deeming the Catholic Church’s “just war” theory outdated due to technological advancements.
This encyclical aligns with the church’s tradition of addressing social justice issues, drawing parallels between the current digital revolution and the Industrial Revolution’s impact on society.