Pope Leo XIV Warns of the Dangers of AI Through Encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas'

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Catholic Church and ruler of Vatican City, issued a significant warning regarding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas."

The 42,300-word document, released on May 25, 2026, is the most comprehensive theological statement of his papacy on AI.

The encyclical explicitly outlines AI's immense potential for human progress, while simultaneously highlighting the serious threats it could pose if not managed ethically and responsibly.

The Pope called for AI to be "disarmed" of its dominance in economic and military competition and emphasized the importance of preserving human dignity in this digital age.

This warning comes amidst rapid technological innovation and aims to guide humanity in harnessing AI for the common good, not the opposite.

Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together. In Jesus Christ, this humanity in its grandeur becomes the Way, the Truth and the Life, opening…

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) May 25, 2026

The encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," released on May 25, 2026, attracted global attention for its profound content on artificial intelligence.

This document is not just a mere statement, but a significant theological text that thoroughly examines the promise and potential dangers of AI.

The encyclical's presentation took place at the Vatican, with Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, in attendance.

Olah's presence marked a significant gesture by Pope Leo XIV to open a dialogue between Church leadership and AI industry players, demonstrating a desire for collaboration in shaping the ethical future of technology.

Through this encyclical, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that he was not opposed to technological innovation.

Rather, he stated that technology should not be considered a force inimical to humanity, but rather should be guided by its responsible and ethical use for the common good.

In "Magnifica Humanitas," Pope Leo XIV outlined several crucial threats posed by AI if adequate safeguards are not in place.

He warned that AI could deepen social and economic inequalities, undermine human agency, and remove crucial decisions from human control.

The Pope also called for the "disarming" of AI, meaning preventing it from dominating humanity and freeing it from the pressures of economic and military competition and corporate monopoly control.

Concerns were also expressed about the impact of rapid automation on workers, which could lead to "forced inactivity" and undermine dignity and social stability.

Furthermore, the encyclical highlighted the dangers of misinformation generated by AI, particularly its impact on children and young people, and the concentration of technological power in the hands of a few companies.

The Pope unequivocally condemned the handover of combat decisions to AI systems, stating that "no algorithm is capable of making war morally acceptable."

He called for "a strong legal framework, independent oversight, informed users, and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibilities" to ensure that technology serves the common good and protects human dignity.

Prior to the encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," Pope Leo XIV had already expressed concern about AI.

In January 2026, he issued a message for the 60th World Communications Day, warning that AI could undermine human relationships and distort reality if not governed responsibly and with proper education.

A few weeks before releasing his encyclical, Pope Leo also established a new Vatican commission specifically addressing AI-related issues.

The Catholic Church has become increasingly vocal about its concerns about AI.

In January 2025, the Church issued the doctrinal note "Antiqua et nova," which addressed the relationship between AI and human intelligence and the anthropological and ethical challenges it poses.