Pope Leo Makes Plea to the World on AI

Pope Leo XIV has released his first papal encyclical—and it's a warning to the world about artificial intelligence. His "Magnifica Humanitas" ("Magnificent Humanity") urges governments to put "robust" regulations in place to protect people, reports Reuters.

• "What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating," Leo writes in the 42,000-word document.
• He calls for tighter oversight of AI companies, retraining for displaced workers, and education that teaches students to question digital tools. The pontiff writes that "technology should not be considered, in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity," per the New York Times, but says "the pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs."

• Leo drew a comparison with the Tower of Babel: "The primary choice is not between a 'yes' or 'no' to technology, but rather between constructing Babel or rebuilding Jerusalem," he wrote. The Wall Street Journal explains the analogy: "In the Bible, the Tower of Babel symbolizes a top-down, grandiose project where decisions are driven by pride, profit and a push for homogenization, the pope suggested in his text. In the rebuilding of Jerusalem, diverse people worked together to rebuild the ruined walls and established a fraternal coexistence within them."
• The pope also warned about the growing use of AI in modern warfare, saying it was "not permissible" to allow AI systems to make lethal decisions, reports the AP. This could result in friction with the White House.
• Tech executives may shrug off the pope's warnings, but within the Catholic Church, the encyclical is expected to become a touchstone for how clergy address AI with their congregations, per the Times.