Pope Leo XIV called for the "disarming" of artificial intelligence and the implementation of robust regulations during an official address on Monday [1].
The Pope's manifesto targets the intersection of technology and human rights, arguing that unchecked AI development threatens to strip individuals of their autonomy. By framing AI as a weapon that needs disarming, the Vatican is positioning itself as a moral arbiter against the rapid expansion of Silicon Valley's influence.
In his address from Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV said that AI could lead to the creation of new forms of slavery [2]. He said that the concentration of data and algorithmic power in the hands of a few private actors could allow those entities to control humanity [1].
The manifesto specifically highlights the danger of AI-directed weapons, and the potential for digital tools to be used for harmful purposes [3]. The Pope said that the global community must act to protect workers and the broader human population from these emerging threats [1].
This call for regulation follows a growing international debate over the ethics of generative AI and automated decision-making. The Pope's focus on "disarming" the technology suggests a need for a global treaty or a restrictive framework similar to those used for nuclear or chemical weapons [3].
He said that the risk extends beyond economic displacement to a fundamental loss of human dignity [2]. The address serves as a direct warning to technology hubs and governments to prioritize ethical safeguards over rapid innovation [1].
“AI could create new forms of slavery”
This manifesto signals a shift in the Vatican's approach to technology, moving from general ethical guidelines to a more urgent, security-focused rhetoric. By comparing AI to weaponry that requires disarmament, the Pope is attempting to elevate the AI safety debate from a technical or corporate policy issue to a global humanitarian crisis, potentially urging nation-states to treat algorithmic control as a matter of international security.
