The grandeur of humanity: Pope Leo on AI

Pope Leo XIV has published his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas* (The Grandeur of Humanity), addressing the ethical and existential implications of artificial intelligence. Unlike Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical *Rerum Novarum*, which confronted industrialization’s social alienation, this document frames AI’s rise as an anthropological challenge rather than a purely technological one. Pope Leo warns that AI’s influence risks altering how humans understand themselves, particularly in education, where tools like generative AI may stifle critical thinking and curiosity by providing instant answers. The encyclical cites Australian research showing over 80% of students aged 14–17 and university students use AI for schoolwork, raising concerns about the erosion of foundational human capacities. Pope Leo argues that AI’s role in education should not replace human formation but instead support it, emphasizing that technology must serve human dignity rather than diminish it. Drawing on biblical imagery, the Pope contrasts the Tower of Babel—where humanity’s pride led to fragmentation—with Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem, a collaborative effort rooted in shared responsibility. He questions whether society is building a future where humans adapt to technology’s demands rather than the other way around. The encyclical echoes philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach’s critique that humans project their own values onto external systems, risking subordination to their creations. Pope Leo’s central concern is not AI’s capabilities but its potential to redefine human identity, warning that people may increasingly defer to artificial systems they themselves designed. The document calls for a societal reckoning with technology’s role in shaping human relationships, ethics, and self-perception, urging a balance between innovation and preserving what makes humanity distinct.