Pope Leo XIV has called for strict global regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that the rapidly advancing technology risks creating “new forms of slavery” if left unchecked.
In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), released on Monday, the pope urged governments and technology companies to ensure AI serves humanity rather than profit and power.
“Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed,” Leo wrote, warning against the growing use of AI in warfare and the concentration of power in the hands of a few technology firms.
The pontiff also apologised for the Catholic Church’s historical role in slavery, saying the world now faces a similar moral test as AI threatens to normalise exploitation, inequality and the loss of human dignity.
“It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract,” he said, calling for strong legal safeguards, independent oversight and political accountability in the development of AI systems.
Leo condemned the use of AI in autonomous weapons and said it should never be allowed to make irreversible decisions over human life. He also criticised an economic model that prioritises profits over workers, warning that technological progress must not come at the expense of jobs and social justice.
The Vatican unveiled the document alongside AI experts, including Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah, as part of its ongoing dialogue with Silicon Valley over the ethical risks posed by artificial intelligence.
The encyclical is expected to become a major intervention in the global debate over AI regulation as governments and tech companies race to shape the future of the technology.
