Pope Leo XIV has called on governments worldwide to slow down and tightly regulate artificial intelligence, warning that unchecked development could deepen misinformation, intensify conflict and push humanity towards “unending war.â€
In his first major encyclical, titled “Magnifica Humanitasâ€, the Pope urged policymakers to take a more active role in controlling AI systems, arguing that rapid technological acceleration is outpacing society's ability to manage its risks.
“What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating,†he wrote.
The Pope warned that ownership of AI data should not be left solely in private hands and called for stronger protections for workers, children and vulnerable groups exposed to the technology.
He urged the creation of “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility.â€
Warning on War and Power
The encyclical also focused heavily on global conflict, warning that modern warfare and political instability are being driven by a “violent culture of power.â€
Pope Leo criticised the weakening of multilateral institutions and suggested that economic and military interests increasingly shape global conflicts.
He also rejected the traditional “just war†doctrine, stating it is “outdated†and often misused to justify violence.
The Pope further warned that some leaders could even view armed conflict as a way to distract from domestic crises.
AI in Warfare and Labour Concerns
The document strongly opposed the use of AI in lethal decision-making, saying such systems must never be allowed to independently determine life-and-death outcomes.
He also highlighted what he described as “new forms of slavery†linked to the AI industry, including unsafe labour conditions in mining and electronics supply chains.
Apology Over Slavery Legacy
In a rare admission, the Pope acknowledged the Catholic Church's historical failure to strongly oppose slavery and offered an apology, calling it a “wound in Christian memory.â€
AI Industry Response
The encyclical drew attention from the tech sector, with Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah welcoming the focus on AI risks, saying companies face strong commercial pressures and need external scrutiny.
(with inputs from Reuters)
