Pope Leo XIV issues encyclical on AI ethics

Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, ‘Magnifica Humanitas,’ addressing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and rapid technological progress. The document serves as a call to action for various global sectors to ensure that scientific advancement aligns with human flourishing rather than mere efficiency.

The Pope outlines specific responsibilities for different groups: technology creators must prioritize human purpose, lawmakers must establish legal frameworks that protect human rights and the common good, and individuals must resist reducing human identity to digital metrics. He warns against delegating human decision-making to algorithms and emphasizes that progress becomes dehumanizing if it loses its moral compass.

To navigate these challenges, religious leaders suggest employing ‘synodality’—a consultative method of inclusive dialogue and shared discernment—to engage with the complexities of the digital age and the needs of the suffering.