Pope Leo XIV urges strict AI rules, warns against profit-driven warfare

Pope Leo XIV issued *Magnifica Humanitas*, his first encyclical, on Monday, demanding robust regulation of artificial intelligence to prevent its use as an instrument of domination, exclusion, and death. The document, titled *Magnificent Humanity*, argues that AI must be freed from profit-driven motives and instead serve the common good, citing concerns over job displacement, human intelligence erosion, and exploitation of vulnerable groups like children. Leo criticized the concentration of power and data in private hands, calling for independent oversight and legal frameworks to ensure ethical AI development. The Vatican’s intervention comes as AI advancements accelerate, with companies like Anthropic and OpenAI—valued at hundreds of billions—facing scrutiny over their rapid growth and potential societal impacts. Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah acknowledged the need for external checks, warning of large-scale labor displacement and urging broader moral engagement from governments, scholars, and religious leaders. The encyclical frames AI as a defining challenge of the era, applying Catholic social teachings on justice, solidarity, and human dignity to the digital revolution. Leo’s call for reflection targets both AI developers and policymakers, urging them to slow progress to consider ethical and spiritual implications. He argued that abstract ethics are insufficient without legal accountability, stating that morality cannot be dictated by a few powerful entities. The document’s release follows the Vatican’s decade-long dialogue with Silicon Valley, including involvement from Anthropic amid its legal disputes with the U.S. government over AI access. Experts, including Microsoft AI executive Taylor Black and Notre Dame law professor Paolo Carozza, hailed the encyclical as a benchmark for global AI debates. Carozza described it as a ‘profound and prophetic’ guide, emphasizing the need for technology to serve humanity rather than degrade it. The Vatican’s stance underscores growing concerns over AI’s unchecked development, positioning religious and ethical voices as critical counterweights to corporate and governmental incentives.