Pope Leo XIV wants to disarm AI. Its developers want to win the race

middleeasteye.net Jun 8, 2026

Pope Leo XIV wants to disarm AI. Its developers want to win the race

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 8, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Pope Leo XIV has published an encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas" addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The document recalls the Church's social doctrine and emphasizes the primacy of human dignity. It warns of the risks of AI, including deskilling workers, intensifying surveillance, and creating new forms of unemployment. The encyclical also condemns the use of AI in warfare and declares the 'just war theory' outdated. Pope Leo argues that technology reflects the values of those who design and control it, and sets out two biblical paths for the future of technological power. The document is a clear attempt to address the digital stage of the Industrial Revolution.

💡 Why It Matters

· The Pope's encyclical challenges the unchecked development of AI by powerful interests, highlighting the need for ethical considerations.
· It underscores the threat of "data colonialism" and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.

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