‘AI job cuts could trigger a social calamity’: Pope Leo warns against unchecked automation in first encyclical

Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, on Monday, sounding the alarm over the risks of unchecked artificial intelligence. The document warns that mass job losses from automation could lead to a 'social calamity,' deepening poverty and inequality if left unaddressed. The pope criticized profit-driven approaches to AI, stating that economic gains should never justify systematically sacrificing livelihoods. He argued that unregulated automation risks marginalizing workers, reducing them to 'rigid and repetitive functions' while prioritizing efficiency over human dignity. The encyclical acknowledges AI’s potential to improve society by handling dangerous or repetitive tasks, but it stresses that technology must serve humanity—not replace it. Pope Leo cautioned that current systems often prioritize productivity and surveillance over ethical considerations, risking a future where people are 'surrounded by machines' that have replaced them. He framed unchecked technological ambition as a modern version of the Biblical Tower of Babel, warning that society could become 'dehumanised' if morality and spiritual values are sidelined. The pope called for stronger government intervention to regulate AI, preventing its concentration in the hands of corporations or elites. He emphasized that AI is not morally neutral, as embedded biases can shape decisions and discriminate against vulnerable groups. Transparency in AI development was also highlighted as essential, with ethical oversight extending beyond mere 'good vs. bad' assessments. Concerns over mass surveillance and the 'digital attention economy' were also raised, as constant data collection enables profiling and manipulation. Pope Leo urged a deliberate societal choice: either prioritize human dignity and community or succumb to a future dominated by technological power and profit. The encyclical marks a rare intersection of religious leadership and tech ethics, framing AI as a moral challenge requiring urgent global action.