Pope Leo XIV has issued a landmark encyclical warning about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence, urging global action to prevent its misuse. In a message delivered at the Vatican, he emphasized that unchecked AI development risks undermining human dignity and widening societal inequalities. The Pope stressed the need for international cooperation to regulate AI technologies, comparing their impact to transformative historical shifts like the Industrial Revolution. He called for a "disarmament" of AI systems that could be weaponized or used to manipulate populations, advocating for ethical frameworks guided by moral principles rather than profit or power.
The Pope’s address was accompanied by Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, who joined in highlighting the importance of inclusive decision-making in AI design. Together, they urged governments, tech companies, and civil society to collaborate on policies ensuring AI serves humanity’s shared well-being. The call reflects growing concern over autonomous systems and their influence on democracy, employment, and personal privacy. The Vatican's stance marks a significant moment in religious and global discourse on technology, positioning moral leadership at the heart of digital innovation.