Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Tower of Babel? | National Columnists

Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” addressing the ethical dilemmas of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The pope compares AI to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, warning that overreliance on technology driven by self-affirmation can sacrifice human dignity.
The document raises concerns about job losses due to AI automation and questions the ethics of prioritizing efficiency over human employment.
It discusses the lack of regulation in AI advancements and the potential for wealth and power concentration among those who control AI technology.
The pope uses the story of Nehemiah in the Bible to advocate for placing God at the center of our lives and building meaningful relationships with others.
“Magnifica Humanitas” calls for awareness of the dangers posed by AI and the moral imperative to treat all people with compassion, not reducing them to mere data.
The pope highlights a critical moral choice we face today with AI, urging a divine resurgence similar to Nehemiah’s spiritual renewal to avert a modern-day “Tower of Babel.”
The encyclical challenges us to avoid letting technology shift our focus away from God and toward the exploitation and unethical use of AI for financial gain.