Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical on Monday calling for governments and tech companies to slow the development of artificial intelligence [1].
The move signals a significant intervention by the Vatican into the global tech race. By urging a slowdown, the Pope is positioning the church as a moral check against the rapid deployment of systems that could destabilize international security and social trust [2].
In the document, which totals 42,300 words [3], the Pope argues that AI must serve humanity rather than concentrate power in the hands of a few [3]. He said that without robust regulation, these powerful systems could be used to spread misinformation on a massive scale [1].
Beyond the risk of falsehoods, the encyclical highlights the potential for AI to intensify existing global conflicts [2]. The pontiff said that the lack of oversight could contribute to an unending war if the technology remains unchecked [1].
Leo XIV calls for a collaborative effort between sovereign nations and private firms to establish guardrails [1]. This is his first major teaching document since ascending to the papacy, marking a clear priority for his leadership regarding the intersection of faith and emerging technology [1].
The document emphasizes that the pursuit of innovation should not supersede the protection of human dignity [3]. It suggests that the speed of current development is outstripping the ability of legal and ethical frameworks to manage the risks [2].
“AI must serve humanity rather than concentrate power in the hands of a few.”
The issuance of this encyclical elevates AI regulation from a technical or political debate to a moral imperative. By framing the unchecked growth of AI as a catalyst for 'unending war,' the Vatican is attempting to mobilize global ethical standards to pressure tech giants and governments into adopting a more precautionary approach to deployment.
