Safety
Pope's Encyclical Warns AI Is Not Neutral
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas warns AI is not neutral, urging collective action to ensure it serves humanity, not harm it. Investors managing over $400 billion are already pushing for AI accountability.
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Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas emphasizes that technology is never neutral, calling on individuals to act with courage and solidarity as artificial intelligence reshapes human life. The document draws on biblical narratives, comparing the Tower of Babel—a symbol of unchecked ambition—to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, which represents collaborative resilience. According to the encyclical, AI is a commercial product, not an impartial force, and its development has concentrated power in the hands of a few. This perspective aligns with growing efforts by institutional investors to demand transparency and accountability in AI deployment. Shareholders have filed resolutions with companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, urging them to avoid using AI for violence or human rights violations. The encyclical underscores the need for clear criteria and oversight in AI use, especially regarding public goods and fundamental rights. *Source: [mittr](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/05/29/1138107/how-the-popes-magnifica-humanitas-offers-a-template-for-individuals-to-meet-the-ai-moment/)*
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas states that technology is never neutral.
- The encyclical draws a parallel between the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, representing unchecked ambition versus collaborative resilience.
- AI is described as a commercial product, not an impartial force, with power concentrated in a few hands.
- Investors managing over $400 billion have filed resolutions demanding AI transparency and accountability.
- Shareholders have called out tech giants for using AI in ways that violate human rights.
- The encyclical emphasizes the need for clear criteria and oversight in AI use, especially regarding public goods and fundamental rights.