Pope Leo advocates for stringent controls on artificial intelligence. In his debut papal encyclical, he emphasized the need to ‘disarm’ AI. His focus is on minimizing risks such as war and economic disruption. The encyclical outlines various areas where AI could pose significant threats.
Amna Nawaz engaged in a detailed discussion with Christopher Hale, a writer for ‘Letters from Leo’ on Substack. Hale elaborated on the Pope’s concerns and the broader implications of unregulated AI technology. He stressed the potential for AI to destabilize global economies and intensify conflicts worldwide.
The discussion highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges through international cooperation and comprehensive policy frameworks. It is vital to act proactively to prevent unforeseen consequences that unchecked AI development might bring.
This segment was reported by Azhar Merchant, Associate Producer for National Affairs, and Solveig Rennan, Producer for PBS News Hour and Horizons. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour, led the conversation.

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