The encyclical positions AI as a "new industrial revolution" and calls for its "disarmament" by decoupling the technology from military and economic interests. The document states that "disarmament is not the abandonment of technology, but the prevention of it dominating humanity," arguing that regulation alone is insufficient and that AI must be made "welcoming and accessible."
Pope Leo XIV Advocates for AI Disarmament in Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas
This article is a translation. Read the Japanese original
The encyclical also points to the danger of a small number of wealthy individuals influencing the future and lives of humans through AI, warning that "AI already tends to amplify the power of those who possess economic resources, expertise, and access to data." The widening gap between those who can participate in the digital revolution and those who are marginalized is also cited as a concern.
Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, attended the announcement ceremony and stated that AI development operates within incentives and constraints that are sometimes contradictory to "doing the right thing." He urged religious communities, civil society, scholars, and governments to take AI seriously and guide it in a better direction.
At the core of the encyclical is the assertion that human dignity does not depend on ability, wealth, or status, but exists in the very act of being. In the era of AI chatbots, the document highlights the risk that humans may stop seeking interaction with others as they converse with AI agents, as well as the danger that delegating decision-making to machines will lead to excessive dependence and a weakening of creativity.
Source: Pope Leo XIV says AI must serve humanity, not the powerful few（HN 345pt・67コメント）（HN Search (backfill)、2026-05-25）