Pope Leo's first encyclical to focus on AI concerns

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, will focus on artificial intelligence, set to be published by the Vatican on May 15 to commemorate the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s *Rerum Novarum*. The document, signed by Pope Leo, will address AI’s ethical implications, including its use in autonomous weapons and job losses, while recognizing its potential in medicine and education. The Vatican is taking an unprecedented step by including Christopher Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, on the presentation panel alongside cardinals and theologians. Anthropic, which developed the AI system Claude, has faced scrutiny from the U.S. government after refusing the Pentagon’s request for unconditional use of its models. The Trump administration demanded a halt to Anthropic’s technology in government systems, prompting a legal threat from the company, which opposes AI use in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. Earlier this month, the Pentagon excluded Anthropic from its classified AI deployment agreements, opting for seven other firms. Pope Leo has previously criticized AI’s militarization, warning at Rome’s La Sapienza University that AI-driven weaponry risks a ‘spiral of annihilation.’ The Vatican has engaged with Silicon Valley since 2016, balancing AI’s benefits with ethical concerns. Anthropic’s expansion plans in Dublin, announced in March, contrast with recent declines in Ireland’s tech employment, raising questions about AI’s economic impact. The encyclical will outline Catholic teachings on AI, shaping Pope Leo’s legacy. Topics include justice, peace, and morality, reflecting the Vatican’s decade-long dialogue with tech leaders. Olah’s inclusion may further strain relations between Pope Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump, already strained by recent public disputes.