Pope Leo warns of AI fueling warfare in first major theological document

Here are four key points from Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” concerning artificial intelligence:

Control and Ethical Use: Pope Leo XIV advocates for AI not to remain in the hands of a few, emphasizing the need for rigorous ethical constraints on AI use, especially in warfare, to safeguard humanity and its “grandeur.”
Human Dignity and Fairness: The Pope warns against the risks of AI dominating and dehumanizing, proposing principles such as fairer resource distribution, dignity of the person, social justice, and environmental care to guide its development.
Redefining Just War Theory: The pope critiques the “just war” theory, asserting that modern conditions render it outdated. He affirms that military force should only be used for self-defense in the most stringent sense, emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution via dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness.
Influence and Action: By personally presenting the encyclical and including representatives from AI development, the pope seeks to not merely issue warnings but to actively influence global AI regulation and discourse, aspiring to inspire meaningful action towards responsible AI use.

For more details, consult Vatican’s institutional releases and the broader discourse from the 2024 address given at the G7 summit.

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