Pope Leo warns of AI becoming 'yet another Tower of Babel' in encyclical

Pope Leo XIV released a landmark encyclical on May 15, 2026, titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, comparing unregulated AI development to the biblical Tower of Babel and warning of its disruptive potential. The document, issued on the 135th anniversary of *Rerum Novarum*, calls for global governments to establish 'robust legal frameworks' and 'independent oversight' to curb AI’s risks, including misinformation and autonomous weapons systems advancing beyond human control. The pope framed AI as a threat to the 'common good,' urging leaders to prioritize ethical and moral arguments over commercial incentives. At a Vatican event, Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah echoed the call, stating that AI labs like his operate under conflicting pressures between innovation and ethical responsibility. Olah’s company, which develops Claude AI tools, faces 'strong commercial pressures' that may hinder ethical decision-making. Pope Leo’s intervention marks the latest in a 135-year tradition of papal encyclicals addressing social justice, though past documents have had mixed success in driving policy change. The text also ties AI to broader critiques of unchecked technological progress, with Vatican adviser Anna Rowlands noting that past popes warned against solutions like 'the market'—now extended to AI as a potential false savior. The encyclical’s release coincides with Pope Leo’s more assertive stance on global issues, including criticism of the Iran war, which drew ire from U.S. President Donald Trump. While papal teachings carry moral weight, their influence on AI regulation remains uncertain, with experts like Vatican correspondent John Thavis acknowledging the challenge of shaping policy through ethical arguments alone. At the Vatican event, Pope Leo emphasized AI’s role in exacerbating conflict and spreading disinformation, calling for a collective effort to 'build up the common good' rather than pursue unchecked technological ambition. The document underscores the Vatican’s growing engagement with AI ethics, positioning the Holy See as a moral authority in debates over emerging technologies.