A Cautious Papacy Approaches AI

Leo XIV, originating from Chicago and favoring the White Sox, has maintained a low profile during his early tenure as Pope. Unlike his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI, he lacks an academic theological background. His approach seems more careful than that of Francis. Leo’s interests are primarily practical and pastoral. He avoids large-scale doctrinal statements, focusing instead on issues like artificial intelligence, a prominent topic in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, unveiled on Monday.

Magnifica Humanitas addresses AI cautiously. While it acknowledges AI’s potential risks, it stops short of denouncing technology outright. Instead, it envisions AI as a tool, rather than an inherent danger to humanity. This perspective contrasts with the dramatic biblical illustration it opens with: the Tower of Babel. Here, however, the text bypasses the traditional moral cautioning against such technological ventures.

The encyclical’s language is measured and lacks the vigor found in Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII’s seminal work from 1891 that paved the way for modern Catholic social teaching. The document’s reliance on common papal rhetoric and outdated references, such as those to The Lord of the Rings and Hannah Arendt, has left some readers underwhelmed. It might have benefitted from the insights of contemporary critics of technological progress like Byung-Chul Han, known for The Burnout Society, and political theorist Anton Jäger.

Criticism also arose from the choice to include Christopher Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, in the encyclical’s presentation. This decision drew attention not unlike if Leo XIII had included an industry magnate during discussions on labor rights.