A tension has emerged between Silicon Valley and the Vatican, with each side accusing the other of jeopardizing humanity’s future.
On Monday, Pope Leo released a lengthy encyclical. It was a response to recent claims made by Peter Thiel during a worldwide speaking tour, which touched on the notion of a powerful entity near the Vatican being the Antichrist mentioned in the New Testament.
This strange clash stems from diverging Christian interpretations regarding the future of artificial intelligence. One view is that AI will elevate human potential, while the other sees it as a fundamental threat to our existence.
The Pope cautions that those developing AI are overstepping ethical boundaries and risking catastrophe, whereas Thiel characterizes anyone opposing this technology as a “legionary” of the Antichrist.
The New Testament warns of seemingly benevolent false prophets who will offer misleading promises of tranquility and prosperity, ultimately resulting in suffering before the return of the true Messiah.
Thiel, identifying as Protestant, believes that we are nearing this prophetic moment. He suggests that AI is on the verge of pushing humanity toward its highest potential, but warns that an Antichrist figure will soon emerge to challenge this vision.
He stated, “In the 21st century, the Antichrist is a Luddite who wants to halt all scientific progress,” and reiterated sentiments from a prior lecture cautioning against anti-science movements.
Thiel has been vocal about his concerns since at least 2023, though he hasn’t specified who he believes the Antichrist might be. He mentions that there are various “legionaries,” including AI enthusiasts like Eliezer Yudkowsky, who authored a book questioning the benevolence of superhuman AI.
In a paper published after Leo’s appointment, Thiel also remarked that “various popes are suspected of being the Antichrist.”
He has expressed worries that Vice President J.D. Vance, with whom he shares a political alignment, is “too close to the Pope.”
Thiel explained that the Antichrist’s message revolves around “peace and security,” suggesting that this figure might pose as a humanitarian who warns of great dangers.
In the encyclical, Pope Leo stressed the significant risks posed by AI. He pointed out potential mass unemployment, breakdown of family structures, and unprecedented warfare as possible outcomes.
The Pope stressed the importance of “job protection” amid AI advancements, noting their immediate effect on family stability in the rapidly changing job landscape.
He opposed allowing AI to make fatal military decisions, warning that doing so could escalate conflicts and lead to a quicker resort to violence.
The Pope criticized tech giants like Thiel for monopolizing “expertise, data, and decision-making,” accusing them of imposing authority in a non-transparent manner.
Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, voiced support for the Pope’s concerns at the Vatican, though one might question whether Anthropic genuinely differs from others in its approach; they often position themselves as “good actors” while providing similar products.
The Pope also advocated for AI regulation, emphasizing the need for independent oversight and transparency in algorithms.
Thiel has cautioned that the Antichrist would push for global regulation, veering toward a “one world government.”
The Pope seemed to critique the quasi-religious mindset of some tech leaders, urging humanity not to be tempted by the promises of technology that claim to eliminate human shortcomings, while highlighting the pressing need to maintain our humanity in an age dominated by tech advancements.
This could be a subtle jab at “transhumanism,” a concept gaining traction in Silicon Valley, advocating for the merging of humans and machines to reach our full potential.
Thiel identifies as a transhumanist, defending the concept in a recent podcast where he described a vision of transforming the human body into something immortal.
He stated, “We want to enable you to change your mind, change your mindset, change your entire body… it’s about transforming your whole self.”
The Pope has warned against straying from our humanity, while Thiel argues that transhumanism aligns with “Judeo-Christian inspiration.”
Thiel emphasized the importance of transcending nature, portraying it as a necessary step toward overcoming inherent human flaws.
However, the Pope firmly opposes this path. In his encyclical, he warns against any actions that “sacrifice human dignity for efficiency” in a pursuit without divine approval.
Both figures, despite their differing beliefs, seem to arrive at the same conclusion: the other represents a potential disaster.
While they articulate visions of a troubling future, AI hasn’t entirely disrupted the world yet. Millions of tasks have been automated, and AI may continue to replace certain jobs—or maybe it will liberate us, allowing for new creative opportunities.
For now, though, we haven’t quite reached a dystopian reality filled with destruction and cyborgs. Not to mention, the existence of the Antichrist remains unproven.
