Pope Leo XIV makes the threat of AI to humanity a key issue of his pontificate

Pope Leo XIV has declared the threat from artificial intelligence a central theme of his pontificate, engaging in an open dialogue with a technology industry that has long sought the Vatican’s favor. The new pope is raising the moral issues surrounding AI to a global level.

Inspired by the example of Leo XIII, who defended workers during the Gilded Age, Pope Leo XIV is turning to the social teaching of the Church to respond to the “new industrial revolution.” He stated this in a speech to the College of Cardinals, emphasizing the threat to dignity, justice and labor.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the pontiff believes that AI innovation goes beyond economics and technology – it touches the foundations of human ethics and should be subject to public scrutiny. His rhetoric is becoming a call to political action.

In order to influence the Vatican’s position, representatives of Microsoft, Google, Cisco and other technology corporations have arrived in Rome. They are trying to convince the Church of the positive potential of AI and the importance of flexibility in regulation.

Nevertheless, the Vatican insists on the adoption of a binding international treaty regulating the development of AI. According to the Holy See, only a legally binding framework can strike a balance between innovation and basic moral principles.

Many technology leaders believe that such initiatives threaten to stifle progress. But Pope Leo is convinced that the Church must intervene before the digital revolution replaces human values.