Pope Leo XIV released his inaugural encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, focusing on the implications of artificial intelligence for humanity. However, the document primarily addresses enduring issues such as inequality, war, and the erosion of democracy.
In the extensive 200-page encyclical, presented with Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, Leo emphasizes that technology controlled by a small elite cannot effectively serve the common good. He warns against the dangers of concentrated power, stating that it often becomes opaque and escapes public scrutiny, leading to new forms of dependency and inequality.
“When such power is concentrated in the hands of a few, it tends to become opaque and evade public oversight,” he notes, raising concerns about how elites can manipulate information and influence democratic processes to their advantage.
The timing of the encyclical coincides with political developments, including President Donald Trump's postponement of an executive order on AI oversight. This order was reportedly delayed under the influence of venture capitalist David Sacks.
Pope Leo advocates for AI development to be guided by clear criteria and effective oversight, emphasizing the need for community participation. He calls for an end to the AI arms race, which fuels competition for advanced algorithms and extensive datasets aimed at achieving geopolitical or commercial supremacy.
“To disarm means discrediting the assumption that technical power automatically confers the right to govern,” he asserts, echoing sentiments about the historical concentration of power addressed in previous papal encyclicals.
Concerns regarding the influence of technology on democracy are echoed by experts, including Notre Dame Law School professor Paolo Carozza. He highlights how AI-driven misinformation challenges the public's ability to discern truth, which is vital for democratic engagement.
This encyclical serves as a reminder that while AI presents new challenges, the underlying issues of power dynamics and inequality have long been present in society.
