Vance calls Pope Leo’s AI warnings ‘profound’

Vance calls Pope Leo’s AI warnings ‘profound’

Vance calls Pope Leo’s AI warnings ‘profound’

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jd-vance/vance-pope-leo-ai-warnings-profound-rcna345751

Publish Date: 2026-05-26 14:10:00

Source Domain: www.nbcnews.com

  • Praise for Papal Encyclical: Vice President JD Vance commended Pope Leo XIV for his new theological document that addresses AI advancements with caution, termed it as “the sort of thing you would expect and hope from a leader of the church.”

  • Moral Framework for AI: Vance emphasized that while the morality principles remain constant, their application needs updating with respect to new technologies and social interactions, citing the Pope’s efforts to rethink Catholic social teaching.

  • Appreciation of Pope’s Leadership: Vance believes that the Pope’s encyclical is important for providing moral leadership to navigate emerging challenges posed by AI, likening Pope Leo XIV’s era to the onset of the AI age.

  • Social Media Fasting: During Lent, Vance deleted the social media app X from his phone to avoid distractions, claiming it made him more productive and noting he misses the unfiltered interactions but plans to reinstall it later.

  • Dietary Changes and Health: For Lent, Vance adopted a “crazy diet” emphasizing protein and fermented foods for better health, a regimen he continues to follow based on positive outcomes during his fast.

  • Vice President’s Faith and AI: Vance, a Catholic convert, has integrated his faith into his vice presidency, expressing that moral leadership from the church is crucial for navigating AI advancements.

  • Concerns about AI’s Threat: Reflecting on the implications of AI, Vance underscored the need for moral guidance to address AI’s impact on warfare, workforce skills, and cybersecurity.