Quoting Gandalf, Pope Leo says we need to “undress” AI

He is the co-founder of Anthropic at his side today in Rome, Pope Leo XIV release a big new encyclical—the first—called “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”). It calls for AI to be “disarmed” in the service of all people.

“These words are powerful,” Leo admits, but he deliberately chose the language of “disarming” “because this time needs words that can attract attention, raise consciences, and show people ways forward.” Today, AI must be “liberated from a mind that turns into a tool of oppression, exclusion, and death.”

The 40,000-word book contains controversial criticisms of autonomous devices powered by AI, neo-colonial ideas on data collection, and the preservation of “new types of property, such as patents, algorithms, digital platforms, infrastructure, and data.”

But the letter goes on to challenge, to reform Catholic social doctrine in a way that invites everyone to “build” – a favorite word of Silicon Valley elites. (See Marc Andreessen’s famous 2020 article, “It’s Time to Build“)

However, in Leo’s vision, this “house” goes beyond laws or foundations or factories or buildings. They want nothing less than the creation of a “civilization of love” in which everyone works for the best within their sphere of life and in which technology does not dominate, exclude, or bypass humanity, but instead serves and enhances it.

That’s why, although he released it today, Leo actually signed the book on May 15, the anniversary of the famous book of 1891 called “New things” (“New Things”) That old document explained the Catholic social doctrine in the time of capitalist chaos, especially the involvement of workers and trade unions.” Today, Leo is changing the teaching of church culture in the age of AI, which he sees as “new things of our time.”

The new thing

As his successor did 135 years ago, Leo warns that individuals and society should not be left behind by technological advances or new powers. He takes a clear look at the way technocrats work today, comparing them to the colonial conquerors.