Pope Leo XIV issues encyclical on AI ethics and human dignity

Pope Leo XIV has issued a new encyclical, ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, addressing the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence. During a visit to the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Pope warned that AI can foster polarization, conflict, and violence by replacing reality with simulations that create impermeable social bubbles.

Experts have noted that the encyclical calls for rigorous scrutiny of algorithms to prevent a complete delegation of human critical thinking and spirit. The document acknowledges that while technological development can improve living conditions, it poses risks of digital dependency and the ‘simulation of empathy,’ where users may prefer artificial interactions over complex human relationships.

The Pope also addressed the environmental and social costs of the technology, specifically noting the impact of mining raw materials like cobalt in Africa to power the digital infrastructure. He urged the youth to resist corruption and serve their nations rather than emigrating, while emphasizing the need to ensure innovation is directed toward the common good rather than becoming a tool for dominance or exclusion.