Pope Leo XIV to Release AI-Focused Encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas' on May 25
Pope Leo XIV will release his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' addressing human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence, with a Vatican event featuring AI experts and theologians.
Pope Leo XIV is set to release his inaugural encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas' (Magnificent Humanity), on May 25, focusing on the preservation of human dignity in the era of artificial intelligence. The Vatican announced that the document, signed on May 15, coincides with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's 'Rerum Novarum,' which addressed workers' rights during the Industrial Revolution.
The encyclical will be presented at the Vatican's Synod Hall, featuring prominent figures including Cardinals Víctor Manuel Fernández and Michael Czerny, theologians Anna Rowlands and Leocadie Lushombo, and Christopher Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin will conclude the event, followed by an address and blessing from Pope Leo XIV.
Anthropic, known for prioritizing AI safety and risk mitigation, has been involved in a legal dispute with the Trump administration. In February, the administration ordered U.S. agencies to cease using Anthropic's AI technology after the company refused to grant the military unrestricted access to its systems. Anthropic has since filed a lawsuit, alleging illegal retaliation.
Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern over the use of AI in warfare and advocates for monitoring its deployment. The encyclical is expected to contextualize AI within the Church's social teachings, addressing issues such as labor, justice, and peace.
The Vatican has previously engaged with AI ethics, signing the 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics alongside major tech firms and advocating for international AI treaties, including bans on lethal autonomous weapons.
The release of 'Magnifica Humanitas' underscores the Vatican's commitment to addressing the ethical implications of technological advancements, emphasizing the need to safeguard human dignity in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
