TLDR: Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, has swiftly emerged as a leading voice in the global discourse on Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics. His inclusion in Time magazine’s 2025 ranking of influential AI figures highlights his authoritative perspective. The Pontiff likens AI to a ‘new industrial revolution,’ advocating for its regulation based on ethical criteria rather than profit. He has warned against AI’s potential to distort truth, manipulate public opinion, and widen social inequalities, while simultaneously promoting a vision where AI serves the common good through global ethical governance.
In an unexpected turn for the technology world, Pope Leo XIV has been recognized by Time magazine in its 2025 ranking of the most influential voices in Artificial Intelligence (AI), placing him among renowned engineers from tech giants like Google and OpenAI. This inclusion underscores a growing awareness of the profound ethical dilemmas posed by AI and the authoritative stance the new Pontiff has adopted on the subject.
Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope with a background in Latin American ministry, quickly established AI as a central focus of his papacy. He famously compared artificial intelligence to a ‘new industrial revolution,’ emphasizing the critical need to regulate it according to ethical criteria, rather than allowing it to be solely driven by profit or power.
Drawing inspiration from his distant predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, who addressed labor rights during the first Industrial Revolution with the encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891, Pope Leo XIV is poised to issue his own encyclical on the moral challenges of AI. This document is expected to explore fundamental questions such as how AI can respect human dignity, what safeguards are necessary to protect vulnerable communities, and how algorithms can genuinely advance the common good.
The Pontiff has not shied away from highlighting the significant risks associated with unchecked AI development. He has warned that AI could distort the human quest for truth, manipulate public opinion, or exacerbate social inequalities. In his words, ‘AI raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, on our distinctive ability to grasp and process reality.’ He further cautioned that the technology could be ‘misused for selfish gain at the expense of others, or worse, to foment conflict and aggression.’
Beyond warnings, Pope Leo XIV proposes a proactive vision for AI, one where it is oriented towards the common good. This noble objective is underpinned by his insistence on the need for global governance that places ethics at the center of technological decisions. This vision was further articulated in June 2025, when the Vatican organized a global summit on AI governance, where the Roman Pontiff met with leaders from 68 countries, stressing that AI must serve humanity ‘without undermining human dignity or fundamental freedoms.’
In a notable interview on July 30, 2025, Pope Leo XIV expressed his ‘horrified’ reaction to a proposal for creating an AI-version of himself for virtual audiences. He stated, ‘If there’s anybody who should not be represented by an avatar, I would say the pope is high on the list,’ underscoring the irreplaceable nature of human interaction and spiritual guidance. He also voiced concerns about the potential for widespread job displacement due to automation, questioning the societal impact if only a few benefit from technological advancements.
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The Pope’s proactive and ethical approach to AI has garnered overwhelmingly positive public response, with many viewing his leadership as a beacon of hope in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. His message resonates with those who seek a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, positioning the Catholic Church as a significant moral authority in the ongoing global dialogue on AI.
