Pope Leo urges world to 'slow down' on AI in fervent first manifesto

Pope Leo released his first major encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' on May 25, urging the world to slow AI development due to risks like misinformation, conflict escalation, and ungovernable autonomous weapons. The 43,000-word document warned that AI could push humanity toward 'unending war,' criticizing profit-driven arms industries and weakening multilateral institutions. Leo demanded robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, and protection for workers and children, rejecting the idea that AI data ownership should rest solely with private companies. The pope repudiated the centuries-old 'just war' theory, framing modern conflicts as part of a 'violent culture of power' where peace is fleeting. He cited 60 years of brutal wars disproportionately harming civilians, arguing that AI’s rapid advancement requires active political intervention. At the Vatican launch, Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah acknowledged the tension between commercial pressures and ethical responsibility in AI development. Leo’s encyclical marked a shift toward more forceful papal statements, following recent criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Iran war. The document, addressed to the Church’s 1.4 billion members, emphasized the need for 'informed users' and a political system that resists abdicating responsibility. Olah praised the pope’s focus on AI’s societal risks, noting that even leading labs like Anthropic face conflicting incentives in balancing progress with safety.