Pope Leo XIV has issued a new encyclical on artificial intelligence titled Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”) that includes a notable statement for technologists and policymakers, according to MIT Technology Review. The document declares that “Technology is never neutral,” a position that challenges common assumptions about technological development.
According to MIT Technology Review, the encyclical serves as “a clarion call to all people to act with courage and solidarity” as society confronts the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The publication suggests the document offers what it describes as “a template for individuals to meet the AI moment,” though specific details about the encyclical’s recommendations were not provided in the available source material.
The encyclical represents the Vatican’s formal engagement with questions surrounding artificial intelligence development and deployment, positioning ethical considerations as central to technological advancement. The Pope’s intervention adds a religious and moral dimension to ongoing debates about AI governance and regulation.