Pope Leo Cautions on Threat to Humanity Posed by AI
Pope Leo XIV has turned attention to the growing influence of AI, warning that rapid technological progress could threaten employment, fairness in society, and human worth. Speaking at the Vatican on Monday, May 25, while unveiling his first papal encyclical, titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”), Leo urged caution over the expanding role of AI, declaring that the technology “needs to be disarmed.” The newly released document, stretching to roughly 42,300 words, argues that technological progress should remain under human direction. Leo writes that “disarming” AI does not mean abandoning scientific development but ensuring it never gains dominance over people or undermines shared moral values. Encyclicals…