The pope’s AI encyclical isn’t really about AI
Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on society. While AI is the focal point, the document emphasizes longstanding issues such as inequality and the concentration of power. The pope calls for better oversight and community involvement in AI governance to prevent the amplification of existing disparities.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV's encyclical focuses on safeguarding the human person in the context of artificial intelligence.
- ▪The document highlights concerns about the concentration of power and its effects on democracy and inequality.
- ▪Leo advocates for clear criteria and effective oversight in AI development, emphasizing community participation.
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| Original publisher | TechCrunch |
| Canonical URL | https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/25/the-popes-ai-encyclical-isnt-really-about-ai/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 25 May 2026 15:09:41 +0000 |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical on Monday, dubbed Magnifica Humanitas, on “safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.” And while AI is the hook, the problems Leo focuses on are older and more pervasive: inequality, war, the erosion of democracy, and the concentration of power in the hands of those who don’t necessarily care whether humanity writ large remains magnificent. Throughout the 200-page document, which the pope presented alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, Leo argues that technology built and governed by a small elite cannot, by definition, serve the common good.
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