Pope Leo XIV Urges Caution with AI in New Encyclical

Silicon Valley has long harbored dreams of transforming the world, tracing back to when computers occupied massive spaces. An old industry joke describes a programmer asking a computer, “Is there a God?” The computer responds, “There is now.” The Whole Earth Catalog, a precursor to hacker manuals that greatly influenced Steve Jobs, famously stated, “We are as gods and might as well get good at it.” This mindset continues as tech leaders pour billions into artificial intelligence, suggesting an ambition for transcendence.

Amidst the ascent of AI as a new guiding force for humanity, a new voice emerges globally, advocating a pause to this technological dominance. Pope Leo XIV, the inaugural American pope, issued his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), signaling a call to prioritize human value over machines. This 42,300-word document, presented with significant pomp, challenges Silicon Valley’s narrative that it alone should shape our future.

The pope acknowledges that AI can serve as a significant tool. However, he cautions that it “tends to amplify the power of those who already possess economic resources, expertise, and access to data.” Pope Leo XIV warns that without proper oversight and transparency, those controlling AI could impose their own moral frameworks, influencing the hidden frameworks of these systems.

The pope’s message serves as a reminder to slow down and consider the broader implications of AI’s growing influence. It emphasizes the need to elevate human values and ensure that technology remains a tool rather than a replacement for humanity’s guiding principles.