Pope and co-founder of Anthropic to launch pontiff’s AI encyclical on May 25
Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah will launch the pontiff’s first AI encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, on May 25, addressing human dignity in the AI era, while criticizing U.S. military restrictions on Anthropic’s technology. The Vatican event will feature high-ranking cardinals, theologians, and a rare public address by the pope, framing AI risks alongside Catholic social teachings on labor and justice.
Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah will co-launch the pontiff’s first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, on May 25 in the Vatican’s main auditorium, marking a significant shift from typical private press releases. The document focuses on preserving human dignity amid AI advancements, with the pope explicitly linking AI’s existential risks to the challenges faced during the Industrial Revolution, as referenced in his predecessor Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical *Rerum Novarum*. The Vatican event will include two top cardinals—doctrine chief Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and development chief Cardinal Michael Czerny—as presenters, alongside theologians Anna Rowlands and Leocadie Lushombo. Pope Leo signed the document on May 15, coinciding with the 135th anniversary of *Rerum Novarum*, and will deliver a closing speech and blessing. Anthropic’s involvement underscores the pontiff’s priority on AI safety, contrasting with the Trump administration’s recent ban on U.S. agencies using its technology, which Anthropic is suing over. Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researcher Dario Amodei, emphasizes AI safety and has warned about authoritarian regimes exploiting the technology for surveillance. The company’s valuation reached $380 billion, positioning it alongside rivals like OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI. The encyclical is expected to integrate AI ethics into Catholic social teachings, addressing labor, justice, and peace in the context of rapid technological change. The Vatican’s decision to hold the launch in a formal auditorium—rather than a press room—highlights the document’s importance. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, will conclude the event, signaling broad institutional support for the encyclical’s themes. Pope Leo’s stance on AI in warfare and global governance aligns with Anthropic’s advocacy for democratic leadership in AI development, further amplifying the event’s geopolitical implications.
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