The Vatican Speaks on AI, But It is Really About Who Holds the Power

Something unexpected just happened that shifts the conversation around artificial intelligence. Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church, released his first major document, an encyclical called “Magnifica Humanitas,” which translates to “Magnificent Humanity.” While you might expect a papal message on AI to focus on robots or algorithms, this 200-page document actually uses AI as a jumping-off point to tackle much older, deeper problems facing our world today.

The Pope is arguing that the real issue is not just the technology itself, but the concentration of power, rising inequality, threats to democracy, and constant conflict. He introduced this encyclical alongside Chris Olah, a co-founder of the AI company Anthropic. The core message is clear: if a small, powerful group controls how technology like AI is built and used, it cannot truly benefit everyone.

Pope Leo states that when power gathers in the hands of a few, it often becomes unclear how decisions are made, avoiding public scrutiny. This increases the risk that development goes in directions that create new dependencies, leave people out, manipulate others, and make existing inequalities even worse. He believes that AI, like other big technological shifts, naturally boosts the power of those who already have money, specialized knowledge, and access to data.

He warns that these elites can then use their influence to shape how we get information, what we buy, affect democratic processes, and steer the economy to their own benefit. To counter this, Pope Leo called for AI to be guided by clear rules and real oversight, with input from the communities who will actually be impacted by it. He also specifically asked for an end to the “AI arms race,” where companies and countries compete for ever more powerful algorithms and larger datasets, solely to gain geopolitical or commercial dominance. The Pope suggests that we must stop believing that technical power automatically gives someone the right to govern.

These ideas about concentrated power are not new, and Pope Leo XIV draws from a long history. His own predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, addressed similar concerns about power during the Industrial Revolution in his 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum. This shows that while the technology changes, the fundamental challenge of ensuring power serves the many, not just the few, remains.

In our modern context, we see examples of this today. President Donald Trump recently delayed signing an executive order aimed at giving the government oversight over new AI models. Reports suggest this delay came after pressure from tech investors, like David Sacks, a former White House AI advisor. This situation directly highlights the kind of influence and concentrated power the Pope’s document addresses.

We also see large sums of money flowing from tech elites into political action committees to block AI regulation. This pattern, where powerful individuals use their resources to shape policies and outcomes, clearly inspired the Pope’s work. Whether it is a social media platform influencing elections, or the subtle ways AI can steer our thoughts and choices, the stakes are incredibly high.

So, why should this matter to you? First, the Pope’s message touches on direct impacts to your everyday life. The widespread use of AI driven misinformation and deepfakes is already making it harder to tell what is real and what is not. This erosion of our ability to recognize truth has serious consequences for how our democracies function.

Furthermore, the practice of tech companies collecting and manipulating our personal data raises fundamental questions about our “cognitive freedom,” meaning our ability to think and decide for ourselves without undue influence. When AI shapes what information you see, what products you are shown, and even how you vote, it affects your personal autonomy. It means that the choices made by a few powerful people could subtly influence the very fabric of your daily existence.

On a larger scale, this encyclical challenges us to consider what kind of future we are building. Are we content with a world where a select group of tech leaders dictates the path of society through advanced algorithms, or do we want a future shaped by more inclusive dialogue and ethical considerations? The Pope is not just talking about technology, but about humanity’s shared destiny and the moral responsibility that comes with incredible power. He is urging us to look beyond the shiny new tools and address the deeper issues of fairness and justice.

Looking ahead, we are left with significant questions. Will the Pope’s powerful call for an end to the AI arms race and for truly effective, community-led oversight be heard and acted upon by governments and tech companies? The ongoing debate around AI regulation, like the delayed executive order in the United States, shows that these discussions are far from settled. We should watch for how nations and international bodies respond to these ethical challenges.

We should also pay attention to how tech giants integrate, or choose not to integrate, ethical guidelines into their AI development. The future of AI will largely depend on whether a broader range of voices can influence its direction, moving away from a system where only a few powerful players decide what comes next.

Do you think the biggest challenge with AI is the technology itself, or the power dynamics of the people and companies building it?

What concrete steps do you believe could genuinely ensure AI serves the common good, not just a powerful few?

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#SocialJustice

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Filed under: FutureofTech