Pope Leo XIV highlights AI risks in first encyclical

Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' a 43,000-word document addressing artificial intelligence and its ethical implications. The encyclical dedicates a chapter to AI, emphasizing the need for deeper scientific research and moral discernment due to the limited understanding of neural network decision-making processes. The Pope warns against AI-powered autonomous weapons, urging strict ethical constraints on their development and use. He also highlights the environmental costs of large language models, including energy consumption and carbon emissions, while cautioning that AI-driven communication risks misleading users by simulating genuine relationships. The document calls for robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, and responsible political leadership to mitigate AI harms. Leo XIV suggests slowing AI adoption in certain cases to ensure responsible progress, framing caution as an act of care for humanity rather than opposition to advancement. The encyclical follows a drafting process involving cardinals, technical experts, and private sector representatives, including major AI developers like Anthropic PBC. It was released days after the Pope established a Vatican commission of seven departments to study AI’s impact on society, with officials rotating yearly leadership. Leo XIV urges AI researchers, investors, politicians, and academic institutions to adopt transparent and responsible practices. The document frames ethical oversight as essential to protecting human dignity in an AI-driven future.