Pope Leo XIV Calls for AI Regulation to Protect Humanity

Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning about the profound societal risks posed by artificial intelligence, urging that the technology must serve humanity rather than diminish it. In his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," released on May 25, 2026, and in an address to the Spanish Congress this week, the pontiff argued that while AI offers valuable tools, its rapid development demands a measured and vigilant approach to protect human dignity, work, and authentic relationships.

The encyclical, a more than 80-page document, frames AI as a transformation comparable to the industrial revolution, with its benefits dependent on how it is guided. Pope Leo expressed concern that an over-reliance on AI could weaken personal creativity and judgment, and that its simulation of human communication could erode the desire for genuine human connection. He emphasized that technology is not neutral but reflects the values of its creators and users, calling for discernment focused on the human person in all decision-making.

A central theme is the threat to employment, with the document warning that the speed and breadth of AI's displacement of workers could be without historical precedent,...