Pope Leo warns that AI challenges must be confronted with regulation, transparency in his 1st encyclical

Pope Leo XIII released his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, addressing the ethical and societal risks of artificial intelligence. He warned that unregulated AI development could deepen misinformation, escalate conflicts, and lead to perpetual warfare, emphasizing that lethal autonomous weapons systems are 'not permissible' without human oversight. The Pope urged governments to implement 'robust legal frameworks' and independent oversight, cautioning against private control of AI data and the exploitation of workers, including children in rare earth mining. Leo drew parallels to the biblical Tower of Babel, framing AI’s unchecked ambition as a modern hubris that risks alienating humanity from moral and spiritual values. He called for collective action to prioritize the 'common good' over corporate or technological competition, stating that global challenges demand ethical leadership. The encyclical also criticized the arms industry’s profit-driven influence on warfare, linking it to the erosion of multilateral institutions. Anthropic’s co-founder Chris Olah, speaking at the Vatican, echoed the Pope’s concerns, warning that AI could displace labor at an unprecedented scale, requiring 'a moral imperative' to support displaced workers. Anthropic has previously restricted its Claude AI model from lethal autonomous warfare and mass surveillance, facing legal challenges under Donald Trump’s administration. Leo’s document cited his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, to underscore the need for fair labor conditions, now extended to AI-related industries. The Pope highlighted the exploitation of workers in AI supply chains, including children in dangerous mining operations for rare earth elements. He described their conditions as 'new forms of slavery,' urging moral accountability from both governments and corporations. The encyclical framed AI’s rapid advancement as a test of humanity’s ability to balance innovation with ethical responsibility, stressing that inaction risks irreversible harm. As the highest form of papal teaching, the document carries weight with the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members. It also serves as a moral call to tech leaders, policymakers, and civil society to collaborate on safeguarding AI’s development against ethical and existential risks. Leo’s warnings reflect growing global debates on AI governance, positioning the Vatican as a key voice in shaping its future.