Who Is Christopher Olah, the Anthropic Cofounder Welcomed by Pope Leo?

Pope Leo XIV released an anti-AI encyclical on May 25, 2026, titled *Magnifica humanitas*, arguing that artificial intelligence lacks human qualities such as emotions, moral conscience, and understanding of responsibility. The document criticized AI’s development by private companies, stating it cannot be considered moral due to its detachment from human values. Despite this stance, the Vatican invited Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic and the company’s Interpretability Research Lead, to address the gathering. Olah delivered a speech praising the pope’s efforts and calling for greater collaboration between religious, academic, and tech communities to guide AI development ethically. Olah’s presence at the Vatican underscored the pontiff’s desire to bridge dialogue between the Church and tech industry. A Vatican source told the *National Catholic Reporter* that the invitation reflected the Holy See’s willingness to participate in discussions on AI ethics. Cardinal Blase Cupich, a Chicago bishop, expressed hope that Olah’s openness could foster collaboration between tech companies and the Church. The event marked a rare instance of direct engagement between a leading AI figure and the Vatican. Anthropic, known for positioning itself as a safer alternative in AI, has faced scrutiny over its ethical stance. Olah, one of the original seven OpenAI employees who left to co-found Anthropic in 2021, leads research on AI’s ethical orientation. His team’s findings have gained attention, including a 2024 *Time* magazine feature naming him one of the 100 most influential people in AI. While CEO Dario Amodei has avoided media interviews, Olah’s role highlights Anthropic’s focus on interpretability and ethical concerns. The Vatican’s invitation to Olah signals a shift toward active participation in tech ethics debates. The pope’s encyclical framed AI as a moral challenge, yet his inclusion of an industry representative suggested a pragmatic approach. Olah’s remarks reinforced the need for external oversight, urging critics and moral voices to hold AI labs accountable. The event marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of faith, technology, and ethical governance.