Pope calls for robust regulation of AI in manifesto that ponders the future of humanity

Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, on Monday, urging robust regulation of artificial intelligence and demanding developers prioritize humanity’s benefit over profit. The document, released during a Vatican event featuring Anthropic’s co-founder amid a legal dispute with the Trump administration, condemns the ‘culture of power’ driving AI advancements, particularly in remote warfare. Leo explicitly stated that AI should never make irreversible, lethal decisions, setting a moral and policy challenge for governments and tech firms. The encyclical critiques the concentration of AI power in private hands, warning of risks to vulnerable groups like children and calling for independent oversight, legal frameworks, and ethical guidelines. Leo appealed to developers and leaders to slow progress and align AI with spiritual and moral principles, emphasizing that abstract ethics are insufficient without enforceable accountability. Anthropic, a major AI firm valued at hundreds of billions, was invited to the Vatican event as part of a decade-long dialogue on AI’s human costs. The document also highlights AI’s role in normalizing war, citing geopolitical conflicts driven by competing imperial ambitions. Experts, including a Microsoft AI executive and a Notre Dame law professor, praised the encyclical as a defining benchmark for policymakers, researchers, and the public. Leo’s manifesto applies Catholic social teachings—justice, solidarity, and human dignity—to the digital age, framing AI as a tool that must serve humanity rather than degrade it. The text warns against unchecked corporate influence, insisting that morality in AI cannot be dictated by a few. Its release coincides with growing concerns over job displacement and AI’s existential risks, positioning the Vatican as a moral authority in the global debate.