Pope Leo XIV highlights AI risks in first encyclical

Pope Leo XIV today issued an encyclical that contains an extensive discussion of artificial intelligence and its risks.

The approximately 43,000-word document is entitled “Magnifica Humanitas,” which is Latin for “Magnificent Humanity.” One of its five core chapters is dedicated entirely to technology’s impact on humanity. The lengthy section places particular emphasis on AI.

Leo XIV (pictured) opens the chapter with a brief technical overview of AI that draws attention to researchers’ limited understanding of the technology. Model developers, the Pope writes, have not yet fully mapped out the internal representations and calculations that neural networks use to make decisions. “There thus emerges an urgent need for a twofold commitment: on the one hand, a deepening of scientific research; on the other, the exercise of moral and spiritual discernment,” states the encyclical.

The document continues with a discussion of AI’s risks. Leo XIV dedicates an entire subsection to AI-powered autonomous weapons. The encyclical states that both the development of such weapons and their use “must be subject to the most rigorous ethical constraints.”

The document also covers a range of other AI-related risks. It draws attention to the “enormous amounts of energy and water” required by large language models, as well as the associated carbon emissions. Another section highlights the potential negative impact of such algorithms on interpersonal relationships.

“The artificial imitation of positive human communication — words of advice, empathy, friendship and even love — can be engaging and at times genuinely helpful,” Leo XIV writes. “However, for less discerning users, it can also be misleading, creating the illusion of a relationship with a real personal subject. When words are simulated, they do not build genuine relationships, but only their appearance.”

The encyclical goes on to highlight the importance of safeguards that can prevent AI harms. It calls for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility.” Moreover, the document suggests that it may be necessary to slow the pace of AI adoption in some cases to mitigate its risks.

“Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI does not mean opposing progress; instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family,” the document states.

It calls on AI researchers to work transparently and in a manner that considers the technology’s impact. It states that other stakeholders in the AI ecosystem, such as investors, politicians and academic institutions, should also “work with a transparent and responsible mindset.”

The encyclical is the fruit of a lengthy drafting process that reportedly included contributions from cardinals, technical experts and the private sector. Representatives of several major AI developers including Anthropic PBC met with Vatican officials last month to discuss the technology.

The release of the encyclical comes a few days after Leon XIV created an interdepartmental Vatican commission to study AI’s impact on humanity. The committee is made up of officials from seven Vatican bodies. Each one will lead the newly formed organization for a one-year term that can optionally be extended by another year.

Photo: Edgar Beltrán/Wikimedia