By Faizel Patel
- Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence must be “disarmed”, arguing that unchecked AI could become a tool for domination, exclusion and death rather than serving the common good.
- In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, the Pope cautioned that AI-powered weapons and the global race for technological dominance risk creating new forms of digital slavery and reducing human control over critical decisions.
- The pontiff called for stronger regulation, independent oversight and limits on private control of AI data, while also rejecting the use of “just war” theory to justify AI-driven weapons, saying no algorithm can make war morally acceptable.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a dramatic wake‑up call to civilisation, declaring that artificial intelligence (AI) must be “disarmed” to prevent it from becoming an instrument of domination, exclusion and death.
Delivering his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), at the Vatican, the pontiff warned that weapon systems are already moving beyond human control and that the unchecked race for algorithms risks creating “new forms of digital slavery”.
Pope’s warning
He cautioned against a global competition driven by geopolitical and commercial dominance, saying humanity is entering a dangerous era where technology, conflict and power are increasingly intertwined.
“Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed. The word is strong, I know. But deliberately chosen because this moment needs words capable of attracting attention, awakening consciences and indicating paths forward for humanity,” Pope Leo said.
“[AI needs to be] freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion and death. Like nuclear energy, it must be at the service of all, and of the common good.”
WATCH: Pope LEO says, Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed. The word is strong, I know, but deliberately chosen.
AI now demands to be disarmed, freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion, and death.
Like nuclear energy, it must be… pic.twitter.com/o3IAPfEQwx
— THE GLOBAL WATCHDOG (@glwatchdog) May 26, 2026
AI data ownership
The encyclical went further, insisting that AI data ownership must not remain in private hands and calling for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility,” Al Jazeera reported.
The Pope also rejected the US administration’s reliance on “just war” theory to justify AI‑driven weapons, declaring it outdated and warning that “no algorithm can make war morally acceptable”.
This article was republished from The Citizen.
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