The pope’s AI encyclical isn’t really about AI

Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, on May 15, 2026, addressing the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) but focusing more broadly on inequality, war, democratic erosion, and elite power concentration. The 200-page document, released alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, argues that AI, when governed by a small elite, cannot serve the common good. It warns that centralized power risks creating 'new dependencies, exclusions, manipulations, and inequalities,' particularly as AI amplifies existing disparities in economic resources, expertise, and data access. The encyclical calls for AI to be guided by 'clear criteria and effective oversight,' emphasizing community participation in decision-making processes. Pope Leo XIV explicitly condemns the 'AI arms race,' where companies and nations pursue ever-more-powerful algorithms for geopolitical or commercial dominance. He asserts that technical power does not inherently justify governance authority, framing this as a broader critique of unchecked technological influence. The timing of the encyclical coincides with political tensions around AI regulation. President Donald Trump delayed signing an executive order that would have required government oversight of new AI models before release, reportedly due to pressure from former White House AI advisor David Sacks. The pope’s warnings align with recent tech industry trends, such as Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and its alleged role in influencing elections, as well as millions in tech funding directed toward blocking AI regulations. Legal scholars, including Notre Dame Law School professor Paolo Carozza, support the pope’s concerns, citing AI-driven misinformation and deepfakes as threats to democratic processes. Carozza, a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and chair of the Meta Oversight Board, highlights how data harvesting and manipulation undermine 'cognitive freedom.' The encyclical frames these issues as extensions of historical power struggles, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 *Rerum Novarum*, which addressed industrial-era inequalities. While AI is the central theme, the document frames its risks as part of a larger pattern of elite control over technology, whether through industrialization, social media, or AI development. The pope’s call for oversight and ethical governance reflects growing global debates about balancing technological progress with democratic accountability and equitable access.