Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence
This week marked a significant moment as Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, issued an encyclical letter intended to provide spiritual and moral guidance to Catholics globally. The primary focus of this encyclical is Artificial Intelligence (AI), while reflecting on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching established by Pope Leo XIII over a century ago. The letter seems to target discussions with the tech industry, perhaps aiming to bridge the gap between the Church and Silicon Valley.
It’s understandable that a prominent religious figure would delve into the topic of AI.
AI has permeated nearly every aspect of our daily lives, used for everything from technical tasks to trivial needs. It generates content for websites, marketing materials, and even produces less-than-stellar fiction. Many have developed a fondness for AI chatbots. However, AI has also been linked to negative outcomes, like promoting acts of violence or contributing to personal crises such as divorce. The data centers supporting AI operate with enormous energy and water consumption, while the demand for essential minerals can lead to hazardous labor, including exploitation of children in mines. Conversely, AI has made strides in solving long-standing mathematical challenges and aiding healthcare providers in diagnosing diseases that would otherwise go unnoticed.
AI’s presence is undeniable, both positively and negatively. So, how should we approach it?
Pope Leo XIV acknowledges the complexity of the issue, using his letter as a preliminary discussion. Titled Magnifica Humanitas, the encyclical does not incite rebellion against technology. Instead, Leo frames AI as a tool—one that lacks pure neutrality. He envisions it as a potential instrument for fostering the Kingdom of God, with the entire text underpinned by the theme of construction. Leo references two significant moments from the Old Testament: The Tower of Babel and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Both instances represent construction, yet they illustrate vastly different approaches. The Babel story depicts humanity striving to reach heaven through their efforts, resulting in confusion and disunity. In contrast, the Israelites’ reconstruction of Jerusalem is dedicated to divine purpose. By highlighting these narratives, Leo prompts us to consider the kind of civilization we are creating and AI’s role in that process.
While Pope Leo does not provide absolute answers, he emphasizes that certain principles for evaluating good and evil remain constant amid quickly changing circumstances. These principles are not influenced by fleeting events, and it is these guidelines that Leo aims to present.
Catholic Social Teaching outlines six key principles for assessing a society’s welfare. First, it highlights the inherent dignity of each individual from conception to death. Second, it underscores the importance of common goods—elements that remain undiminished when shared, unlike a pizza. Love, peace, and truth are examples of common goods that can be enjoyed by many without losing their essence.
Third, the teaching acknowledges the universal destination of goods, suggesting that material resources should ultimately facilitate access to common goods. Private property exists to serve broader shared values. Without respecting individual goods, common welfare cannot be achieved, which implicitly opposes socialist ideologies. The fourth principle, subsidiarity, asserts that individuals bear responsibility for their actions in line with their abilities. This means local governance should take precedence over national authority, and parents have a right to raise their children without undue governmental interference. The fifth principle is solidarity, a collective purpose among citizens. As Augustine noted, one can understand a people’s character by observing what they cherish. Lastly, justice is a central tenet that measures a government’s morality.
These principles serve as metrics for society and government. A lack of justice indicates a failing society, whereas the absence of dignity in treatment by the government suggests a flawed administration. With this context, Leo urges us to evaluate how AI can be used for good or evil, firmly rejecting transhumanism and posthumanism as harmful to human dignity. He cautions against emerging forms of oppression associated with new technologies and encourages his audience to remain committed to the truth.
For Pope Leo, serving the Truth is paramount, and for Catholics, truth is embodied in Jesus Christ. AI lacks intrinsic access to truth, although it can communicate factual information. Toward the conclusion of his letter, Pope Leo suggests that every time we strive to express the truth, we contribute positively to the common good. Achieving this requires critical thinking and personal reflection—not a subjective interpretation of “truth.”
The letter posits that while AI is a useful tool, its design implies it is not neutral. Pope Leo advocates for the “disarmament” of AI by challenging the idea that technological prowess equates to authority. He calls for regulation of AI and warns against its use in warfare that detaches human accountability from actions taken. Despite the apparent separation, individuals remain responsible for their choices, whether in daily life or conflict.
According to Catholic Social Teaching, Pope Leo promotes AI regulation while safeguarding privacy and individual freedoms. He cautions against practices involving data collection and profiling that could lead to self-censorship. Notably, Leo’s warnings extend beyond Catholics, addressing everyone. A society employing AI in ways that suppress freedoms or transfer personal responsibility to algorithms represents a deeply unjust reality, whether perpetrated by governmental powers or private tech entities.
In summary, while Pope Leo does not provide explicit guidelines on how to utilize AI, he delineates the kind of civilization it should help cultivate—a civilization centered on love.
