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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical states that technology, including AI, is inherently non-neutral and reflects its creators’ characteristics. The Vatican’s presentation included AI safety expert from Anthropic, signaling a focus on accountability. Unclear why other major AI firms were absent.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, ‘Magnifica humanitas,’ explicitly states that artificial intelligence is never neutral, as it takes on the characteristics of those who develop and control it. The Pope presented the document at the Vatican on May 15, in a notable event that included AI safety expert Chris Olah from Anthropic, signaling a focus on ethical responsibility in AI development.
The encyclical, titled ‘Magnifica humanitas,’ addresses the moral and social implications of AI, emphasizing that technology reflects the values and intentions of its creators. It warns against concentrated power in AI development, urging that the technology serve the common good and be governed by shared ethical standards.
During the Vatican event, Pope Leo XIV was joined by notable figures including Cardinal Fernández and Professor Anna Rowlands, but the presence of Anthropic’s Chris Olah was particularly significant. Anthropic is known for its emphasis on AI safety and interpretability, aligning with the encyclical’s focus on human dignity and accountability.
While the Pope’s stance on AI and morality is clear, it remains uncertain why major AI companies like OpenAI or Google DeepMind were not represented at the event, raising questions about industry engagement and influence.
Technology is never neutral — and neither were the empty chairs
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical casts AI as this century’s Rerum novarum moment. He presented it personally — with Anthropic’s co-founder in the room. OpenAI, Google DeepMind & xAI were not. For a “broadside against AI companies,” that guest list is itself an argument.
A Rerum novarum for the age of AI
The signing date wasn’t incidental. Leo XIV chose the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical — and, by taking the Leonine name, cast himself as the pope who answers AI as Leo XIII answered industry.
The same move, 135 years apart
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Five chapters, one worry: concentration
The recurring anxiety is that AI’s power lands “in the hands of only a few” — and that a more moral AI isn’t enough “if that morality is determined by a few.”
A dynamic doctrine, faithful to the Gospel
Situating AI in the Church’s social teaching — the living tradition from Rerum novarum onward.
Foundations & principles
Human dignity that is “neither acquired nor earned”; the common good; the universal destination of goods — tech must not be held by a few.
Technology & dominance
The “technocratic paradigm.” AI can simulate a person but has no moral conscience or empathy. Calls to “disarm” AI from the logic of competition.
Safeguarding humanity: truth, work, freedom
The “new ways” of working aren’t always better; AI too often makes workers adapt to machines. Warns of an “architecture of visibility.”
The culture of power & the civilization of love
The hardest charge: “no algorithm can make war morally acceptable.” Argues even “just war” theory must now be overcome.
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Who was in the room — and who should have been
Leo XIV presented the encyclical personally (popes usually delegate). Among the AI experts: Anthropic’s Chris Olah. The other frontier labs? Empty chairs. Tap each seat.
The presentation · May 25, 2026
A defensible single invite — or a diluted broadside? Press play, then judge.
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A broadside delivered to one delegate
The Washington Post read the encyclical as one that “fires a broadside against AI companies.” A reckoning aimed at an industry is weakened when one member — the most safety-branded one — is present to receive it.
The encyclical’s hardest charge is about AI and war — and it implicates the labs that weren’t there.
Its most uncompromising passages condemn AI-enabled weapons and the lowering of the threshold for violence. But that lands hardest on the defense-entangled players and the leaders most explicit about military & geopolitical ambitions — not the lab that showed up.
Account vs. anoint
One sympathetic guest tilts it from “the Church holding the industry to account” toward “the Church beside its preferred firm.”
Concentration, again
A text whose deepest fear is power “determined by a few” launched by elevating one company as chosen interlocutor.
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Two things are true at once
The criticism is of the exclusivity, not the inclusion. Olah in the room was fitting; Anthropic alone was incomplete.
The most significant AI reckoning yet by a global moral institution
It grounds a critique of concentration, dehumanized work & algorithmic warfare in a tradition stretching back to 1891. Its core insight — technology carries its makers’ values — is exactly the right place to start.
A broadside should be delivered to the industry, not its most palatable face
The choice to present alongside Anthropic alone — defensible, probably well-intentioned — undercut the encyclical’s own insight about whose values get associated with the message.
A beginning, not an endpoint
The same month, Leo XIV approved an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence — a standing body with room for many voices over time. If it brings the whole industry into uncomfortable dialogue, the narrow first launch reads as a first step, not a pattern.
Implications of the Vatican’s Moral Stance on AI Development
This encyclical marks a significant moral voice in the global debate on AI, emphasizing that technology should serve humanity and not be driven solely by commercial interests. The inclusion of Anthropic highlights a push for safety and accountability, but the absence of other industry leaders suggests ongoing tensions about industry influence and ethical standards.
For AI developers and policymakers, the Pope’s message underscores the importance of integrating ethical considerations into AI design and deployment, especially as AI’s power continues to grow and concentrate among a few firms.
The timing of the encyclical coincides with the anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical ‘Rerum Novarum,’ which addressed the upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. Like its predecessor, Leo XIV’s document frames AI as a disruptive force requiring moral guidance, emphasizing social justice, human dignity, and the dangers of concentrated power.
The Pope’s choice to present the encyclical personally, rather than delegating, signifies the importance placed on moral leadership in the age of AI. The event’s guest list, including AI safety experts, reflects a deliberate effort to engage the industry on ethical issues.
“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unanswered Questions About Industry Representation
It remains unclear why major AI firms like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, or xAI were not represented at the Vatican event. The reasons for their absence and whether the encyclical will influence their future policies are still developing.
Next Steps for Ethical AI and Church Engagement
Further discussions on AI ethics are expected at upcoming international forums, with the Vatican potentially playing a more active role. Industry responses and policy developments will reveal whether the moral stance articulated by the Pope influences global AI governance.
Key Questions
Why did the Vatican invite only Anthropic to the event?
The Vatican likely chose Anthropic because of its focus on AI safety, interpretability, and accountability, aligning with the encyclical’s emphasis on moral responsibility and human dignity.
Does the encyclical suggest specific regulations for AI companies?
While it advocates for shared ethical standards and accountability, the encyclical does not specify particular regulations but emphasizes moral responsibility and the importance of serving the common good.
What impact might this encyclical have on AI development?
The encyclical could influence policymakers and industry leaders to prioritize ethical considerations, transparency, and human-centered AI design, though concrete policy changes remain uncertain.
Will the Church’s stance affect global AI policy?
The encyclical raises moral questions that may shape future discussions, but its direct influence on international regulation depends on broader political and industry engagement.
What are the main concerns about AI highlighted in the encyclical?
The Pope warns about concentration of power, the moral implications of AI in warfare, and the risk of technology reflecting the values of a few rather than serving all humanity.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
