Pope urges ‘disarming’ of AI in major manifesto
Pope urges ‘disarming’ of AI in major manifesto
https://www.dw.com/en/pope-urges-disarming-of-ai-in-major-manifesto/a-77288369
Publish Date: 2026-05-25 11:33:00
Source Domain: www.dw.com
- Pope Leo XIV argues for the regulation of artificial intelligence in his first major manifesto.
- The encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” urges governments to prioritize the common good over power or profit when dealing with AI.
- The pope expresses concern over the dangers AI poses to humanity and advocates for its “disarmament” to prevent it from becoming an instrument of domination, exclusion, and death.
- He highlights the increased feasibility of war due to AI-supported autonomous weapons and insists on rigorous ethical constraints in any AI application in warfare.
- Leo emphasizes that AI should be human-friendly, accessible, and open to discussion, with concerns about the concentration of power and influence among a few.
- The pope supports strict regulation of AI, advocating for robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users, and an active political system.
- He warns of “new forms of slavery” connected to AI, such as the exploitation of content moderators and child labor for rare earth minerals.
- Additionally, Pope Leo XIV issued an unprecedented apology for the Vatican’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.