Leo XIV’s Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence Sparks Debate

Pope Leo XIV, hailing from Chicago and with a known fondness for the White Sox, has stirred interest not as a theologian like his predecessors but through practical and pastoral concerns. His gentle stance on various issues, like opposition to the war in Iran, characterizes his initial year in the papacy.

Unlike Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Leo XIV is not rooted in academic theology. His approach is cautious, similar to Francis yet avoiding grand schemes. The focus seems to be on pragmatic questions, including the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (A.I.), the central theme of his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas.” Released on a Monday, this document notably addresses the ethical implications of A.I.

By today’s papal encyclical standards, “Magnifica Humanitas” stands out for its caution. Despite its expressed concerns over A.I.’s risks, the text implies A.I. as a neutral tool rather than an insidious force requiring outright rejection. One of its distinguishing remarks, deeming just war theory outdated, diverges from the main discussion on A.I.

The encyclical opens with the iconic biblical narrative of the Tower of Babel, a symbol of technological overreach. However, the text arguably misses the original story’s moral, suggesting a need for ethical stakeholder involvement rather than outright rejection.

Throughout “Magnifica Humanitas,” the lack of a coherent focus is evident. Numerous forgettable quotes from past papal addresses dapple the document, and out-of-place citations, such as from “The Lord of the Rings” and Hannah Arendt, detract from its intended gravity. The absence of engagement with contemporary critics of technology, like Byung-Chul Han and Anton Jäger, limits the encyclical’s incisiveness.

Comparisons to the Unabomber manifesto arise due to its perceived naivety, failing to match the impact of “Rerum Novarum,” which addressed the Industrial Revolution under Leo XIII. The presence of Christopher Olah, co-founder of the A.I. company Anthropic, at the encyclical’s presentation, sparked debate. This is akin to imagining John D. Rockefeller attending a discourse on labor dignity by Leo XIII.