What has Pope Leo warned about AI – and why that’s significant

Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," calling for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and urging developers to prioritize the common good over profit. The manifesto, presented at the Vatican on May 25, 2026, addresses the profound impact of AI on society, including work and warfare. The Pope denounced the "culture of power" driving AI development, particularly in remote warfare, and declared it impermissible to entrust irreversible lethal decisions to AI systems. He emphasized the need for legal frameworks, independent oversight, and informed users, rather than relying solely on abstract ethics determined by a few. The encyclical, seen as a significant document for policymakers and researchers, draws parallels to the Industrial Revolution's impact on humanity and advocates for ethical and spiritual guidelines to ensure AI serves human betterment.

Pope Leo has issued a warning regarding the development of artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that certain AI-powered weapons systems are evolving to a point where they are becoming "practically beyond human control." This concern highlights a significant development in AI technology and its potential implications for global security. The Pope's statement emphasizes the growing autonomy of these advanced weapon systems, raising questions about human oversight and accountability in their operation.

Pope Leo issued a manifesto on artificial intelligence, calling for its "disarming" and warning of potential "new forms of slavery." He presented his first encyclical at the Vatican on Monday, accompanied by AI experts. The Pope stated that the "just war" theory is "outdated" and expressed concern over AI-directed weaponry, deeming it "not permissible to entrust lethal" decisions to technology. He has previously clashed with the White House on issues including the Iran war and the use of religion to justify conflict.

In a new encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas," Pope Leo has warned that artificial intelligence could become a tool of "domination, exclusion and death" if moral limits are not imposed by governments and institutions. The Vatican is entering the global AI debate, highlighting the lack of international regulation as AI technology rapidly advances. The Pope drew parallels to the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing AI's potential to threaten human dignity and citing concerns about autonomous weapons systems and biased AI that could restrict access to essential services. He called for AI to be governed like nuclear energy, serving the common good, and urged for systems built on trust and human dignity, reminding humanity not to surrender moral judgment to machines.

Pope Leo XIV, in his first encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas," has called for artificial intelligence (AI) to be "disarmed" to prevent its use for domination, exclusion, and death. He warned of new forms of slavery emerging from the technology and cautioned against a competitive race for AI dominance driven by geopolitical or commercial interests. The Pope emphasized that ownership of AI data should not be exclusively in private hands and urged policymakers to protect workers' rights and children's safety. He advocated for a slowdown in AI development, robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, and a political system that takes responsibility. The encyclical, presented at the Vatican, stresses that AI, like nuclear energy, must serve the common good.