Pope Leo XIV Advocates for the "Disarmament" of AI in His First Encyclical, Addressing Technological Ethics

Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (“The Greatness of Humanity”), outlining the Catholic Church’s stance in the era of artificial intelligence. In an unprecedentedly candid message, the Pope called for the “disarmament” of AI, emphasizing its role in serving the common good of humanity.

The Strong Choice of the Word “Disarmament”

In the encyclical, the Pope himself explained his decision to use the term “disarmament” concerning AI. He acknowledged the strength of the word but asserted that “at this moment, we need language that grabs attention, awakens conscience, and shows humanity the path forward,” thus justifying his choice of military metaphor. The encyclical explicitly states that modern AI must be “liberated from logics of domination, exclusion, and tools of death.” This is not merely a critique of technology but a profound challenge to the very foundation of AI development and deployment.

A Symbolic Encounter with Anthropic

Co-Founder Of particular note was the presence of a co-founder of the AI company Anthropic at the announcement event. Known for its commitment to AI safety and ethics, Anthropic’s participation highlighted an emerging solidarity between the tech industry and the religious community in the ongoing dialogue on AI ethics.

A Comprehensive Critique of Technology in

40,000 Words The encyclical spans 40,000 words and delves into various critical aspects of technology: - Concerns Over Autonomous Weapons: The Pope expressed alarm over AI-powered autonomous weapon systems that could make life-and-death decisions without human oversight. He emphasized that this contradicts the fundamental principles of human dignity and international humanitarian law. - Neocolonial Attitudes in Data Collection: The Pope likened the collection of health data, epidemiological profiles, genetic maps, and demographic information from developing nations by advanced countries and tech giants to the resource exploitation of colonial powers. Calling these data “the new rare earths of power,” the Pope warned that aggregated and analyzed data could be used for predictive modeling, investment strategies, and crisis forecasting, granting those who control it the power to determine “who and what matters.” - Monopolization of Digital Assets: The Pope also issued a strong critique against the enclosure of “new forms of property,” including patents, algorithms, digital platforms, technological infrastructure, and data itself.

A Historical Continuity with an Encyclical

from 135 Years Ago Pope Leo XIV signed the encyclical on May 15, aligning it with the anniversary of the 1891 encyclical “Rerum Novarum” (“Of New Things”). That historic document outlined Catholic social teaching during a period of capitalist upheaval, advocating for workers’ rights and labor unions. Leo XIV sees a parallel between that era and today’s structural changes. For the Pope, AI represents the “Res Novae of our time,” or “the modern new things.” Just as the Industrial Revolution brought about sweeping societal changes, the AI revolution necessitates new guidelines to ensure that neither individuals nor humanity as a whole are left behind.

Redefining the Concept of “Building”

Interestingly, the Pope deliberately employed the term “building,” evoking the essay “It’s Time to Build” by a prominent Silicon Valley investor in 2020. However, Leo XIV’s vision of “building” extends far beyond the creation of code, startups, factories, or homes. He called for the establishment of a “civilization of love,” where everyone contributes to the common good within their respective spheres of life. In this vision, technology must not dominate, exclude, or bypass humanity but serve and empower it instead.

A Warning to Technology Elites The encyclical

also includes a measured critique of the influence wielded by today’s technology elites. The Pope likened their control to that of colonial conquerors, warning that regions with vulnerable structures or limited geopolitical influence are at risk of falling victim to this “new form of data extraction domination.” While health data is often collected under the guise of aid, research, or innovation, those who control such data gain a “structural leverage over the future” by shaping needs and markets, emphasizing the critical importance of data sovereignty.

Calling for “Artisans of Hope”

In his encyclical, the Pope called for the emergence of “artisans of hope” in the AI era—individuals who actively work for the dignity of humanity and the common good rather than passively succumbing to technological developments. His message is directed at technologists, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and ordinary citizens alike, urging everyone to take responsibility for the ethical trajectory of AI. The Pope’s perspective extends beyond issuing ethical guidelines, serving as a call to action for society at large.

Impact on the Technology Industry The

Vatican’s decision to release such an in-depth document on AI ethics is likely to add a new dimension to global discussions on AI regulation. With ongoing efforts like the EU’s AI Act and national guidelines for AI development, the incorporation of religious and ethical authority into the discourse could deepen the debate on AI’s social impact. In particular, the Pope’s concerns about autonomous weapons and data exploitation may accelerate concrete policy discussions within the international community. The Vatican’s solidarity with companies like Anthropic, which prioritize AI safety and ethics, could also influence the technology industry to strengthen its ethical standards.

Conclusion Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural

encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” is a profound document that questions the very essence of humanity in the age of AI. By updating the message of the 135-year-old “Rerum Novarum” for the modern era, it advocates for a society where technology serves humanity rather than dominates it. The encyclical is a call to action not only for Catholics but for all individuals engaged in the development and use of AI.