Pope Leo XIV has called for artificial intelligence to be controlled warning that if it grows without checks it could lead to forms of slavery people being treated unfairly and more wars.
When presenting his major statement called Magnifica Humanitas at the Vatican the pope asked leaders, technology companies and policymakers to put peoples dignity first not just business or country interests in the rapidly growing AI field.
The document, which came out on Monday in Vatican City strongly criticised the growing use of AI in the military. Disagreed with the idea that machines should ever decide who lives or dies in war.
“No computer program can make war okay ” Pope Leo said. He said the idea of a “just war”. That some people in the Trump administration have mentioned recently. Is no longer relevant today.
The pope warned against countries competing to develop AI, driven by a desire to be more powerful than others. He called for international laws, independent oversight and moral guidelines to make sure AI stays under human control.
The statement also talked about the cost of technological progress. Pope Leo mentioned workers who are treated unfairly people who have to look at disturbing content and children who help get minerals used in AI systems.
“Nothing in AI is magical or doesn’t affect people ” he wrote. He stressed that every automated system relies on peoples work and natural resources.
The Vatican leader also warned that rapid automation could make inequality worse hurt communities and replace workers without enough protection or economic support.
At the time the pope made it clear that he is not against new technology. Instead he called for AI that is friendly to people open, clear and allows for discussion.
The release of Magnifica Humanitas is one of the Vaticans statements on new technologies. It puts intelligence at the centre of Pope Leo XIVs papacy. Experts say this document could have an impact around the world similar, to Pope Franciss influential climate statement Laudato Si.
