In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV says AI must serve humanity, not the powerful few

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VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV took direct aim at the power of Big Tech in his first encyclical on Monday (May 25), warning that artificial intelligence risks widening inequality, weakening democracy and undermining what it means to be human.

The document, titled "Magnifica Humanitas" (Magnificent Humanity), frames AI as the new industrial revolution and makes an appeal to "disarm AI" by removing it from military and economic interests, subjecting AI companies to stricter state and international regulations and inviting the broad participation of individuals and communities in shaping the future of this rapidly developing technology.

"Disarming AI means freeing it from the mentality of ‘armed’ competition, which today is not limited simply to the military context, but is also an economic and cognitive phenomenon," Leo wrote. "Disarming does not mean renouncing technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity," he added.

"For this reason, merely regulating it is insufficient; it must be disarmed, welcoming and accessible," the document read.

Leo also took on Big Tech in the document, highlighting the dangers of having a few wealthy individuals influence the future and livelihood of humanity, widening the gap "between those who can participate in the digital revolution and those who remain on the margins."

"AI tends to amplify the power of those who already possess economic resources, expertise and access to data," he wrote. "Small but highly influential groups can shape information and consumption patterns, influence democratic processes and steer economic dynamics to their own advantage, undermining social justice and solidarity among peoples."

Pope Leo presented the encyclical on Monday at the Vatican’s Synod Hall, where he referenced the 1891 encyclical ‘Rerum Novarum’ (On New Things), written by his namesake Pope Leo III to address the challenges posed by the industrial revolution of the 19th century.

"I feel entrusted to oversee another great transformation through the eyes of faith, with the clarity of reason, and with openness to the divine mystery, with the cry of the poor and earth resound in my heart," Leo said, adding that the encyclical was the result of deep listening to scientists and engineers, political leaders and public officials, parents and teachers deeply concerned for the future of future generations.

"Disarming is not enough, we must build," he added, calling for broad participation in the programming, regulation and benefits of AI.

Chris Olah during a podcast appearance in 2024. (Video screen grab)

The pope presented the document alongside high-ranking Vatican prelates, Catholic theologians and Chris Olah, the co-founder of Anthropic, the American AI company behind Claude that has been pushing to brand itself as safety-oriented and ethical.

Speaking at the event, Olah said that AI development "operates inside a set of incentives and constraints that can sometimes conflict with doing the right thing," citing commercial concerns, geopolitical pressure and pride and ambition.

For that reason, he said, "we need more of the world – religious communities, civil society, scholars, governments – to do what His Holiness has done here: to take this seriously, to look closely, and to push events in a better direction."

At the heart of the encyclical is the insistence that human beings take precedence over artificial intelligence. The dignity of the human person "does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made," but simply by virtue of existing, the encyclical argues.

In a time of AI chatbots, Leo wrote that the risk is not just that someone interacting with an AI agent might believe they are talking to a person, but that they might lose the desire to seek other people at all. And handing over decision-making to machines may "encourage excessive reliance and the search for ready-made answers, and weaken personal creativity and judgment."

In the document, the pope recognizes the positive impact AI innovation can bring to human society and to the care of the environment, while also warning of its dangers. "Technology is never neutral," Leo wrote, adding that it’s an expression of the interests and stakeholders behind it.

"When such power is concentrated in the hands of a few, it tends to become opaque and evade public oversight, increasing the risk of distorted forms of development that give rise to new dependencies, exclusions, manipulations and inequalities," Leo wrote.

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the swearing-in ceremony for 28 new Pontifical Swiss Guards in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Leo argued that applying moral and ethical principles to AI models cannot happen once it has wreaked havoc on society — such values must be applied in its construction....