AI may become “tool of exclusion and control,” Pope Leo warns in new encyclical

Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong warning about the rapid development of artificial intelligence, saying it could become a “tool of domination, exclusion, and even death” if not guided by clear moral limits.

In a new encyclical titled “Magnifica Humanitas,” the Pope urged governments, tech companies, and global institutions to ensure that AI development remains grounded in human dignity and ethical responsibility.

He compared the current technological shift to the Industrial Revolution, referencing the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, which addressed labor exploitation during major economic transformation. According to him, AI represents a similarly historic turning point with far-reaching consequences for society.

The Pope also raised concerns about autonomous weapons systems, warning that AI-driven military technology could operate without meaningful human control. He further noted that biased algorithms could deepen inequality by limiting access to healthcare, jobs, and security for vulnerable populations.

Describing AI governance as comparable to nuclear arms regulation, he stressed that such technology must serve the “common good” rather than private or political interests.

Pope Leo XIV concluded by calling on humanity to remain vigilant, urging societies not to surrender moral judgment to machines. He emphasized that human freedom, conscience, and the capacity to love cannot be replaced by artificial systems.

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