Pope Leo XIV Issues First Encyclical Warning of AI Dangers

Encyclical 'Magnificent Humanity'

According to Главком: Pope Leo XIV has released his first official encyclical, titled 'Magnificent Humanity,' which focuses on the threats posed by artificial intelligence. In the document, the pontiff urges global governments to intervene in technology-related processes and regulate the digital sphere. The Pope stated that AI does not eliminate the inherent inhumanity of conflict; rather, it can accelerate conflict and make it more impersonal. He emphasized that humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, now faces a decisive choice: either to build a new Tower of Babel or to create a city where God and humanity coexist.

Encyclical Presentation and Reactions

The encyclical was presented at the Vatican with the participation of Christopher Olah, a co-founder of the AI company Anthropic. Notably, Anthropic's leadership had a dispute with the Pentagon after refusing to grant the military unlimited access to its technologies. The Pope also announced the establishment of a special Vatican commission on artificial intelligence, tasked with shaping and coordinating the Catholic Church's stance on AI development and use.

'Magnificent Humanity' emphasizes that AI contributes to the spread of misinformation, provokes conflicts, and risks plunging the world into endless war. The Pope called for reducing competition among AI companies and argued that data used by AI should not remain exclusively in private hands. He also drew a parallel between AI development and the biblical story of the Tower of Babel.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Pope Leo XIV of endangering believers due to the pontiff's lenient stance on Iran's nuclear program. This conflict between Trump and the Pope deepened over the Vatican's position on U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran. The Pope also criticized the American leader's rhetoric, calling claims about the possible annihilation of Iranian civilization contrary to norms. The 'just war' theory was labeled outdated, with the conviction that military force should only be used for self-defense.

This encyclical represents a significant step in defining the Catholic Church's position on the technological challenges facing modern society. The call for regulation and ethical use of artificial intelligence reflects growing concerns about the potential negative consequences of technological progress. The Pope underscores that the need for humanity and ethics in technological development cannot be ignored, which may serve as a foundation for further reflection and action on a global scale.

In light of the Pope's concerns regarding artificial intelligence, the Vatican is set to form a specialized commission dedicated to addressing the ethical implications of AI technologies. This initiative aims to guide the Church's position on the responsible development and application of AI, aligning with the urgent call for regulation highlighted in the encyclical. For more insights on this important development, you can read about the Vatican's new AI commission.