Pope Leo’s message warns that artificial intelligence is not morally neutral and urges humanity to use technology ethically to enhance, rather than diminish, human relationships and connection to God. Emphasizing that AI lacks consciousness and genuine human qualities, the Pope calls for mindful use of technology to foster love and responsibility, cautioning against replacing authentic human interaction with artificial substitutes.
Pope Leo has issued a significant warning about the moral implications of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that AI should not be considered morally neutral. His message, delivered through an open letter, calls for a moral approach to technology, urging humanity to ensure that technological advancements enhance our humanity rather than diminish it. Arthur C. Brooks, a Harvard professor and bestselling author who wrote the foreword for the English version of the Pope’s declaration, highlights that the Pope’s message is rooted in ancient truths and biblical teachings, focusing on how innovation should foster love, worship, and human connection.
The Pope’s encyclical draws a parallel to Pope Leo XIII, who addressed the challenges of the industrial revolution with his famous encyclical on labor rights. Similarly, Pope Leo XIV is addressing the post-industrial revolution era dominated by AI and digital technology. The letter is directed not only at policymakers and technologists but also at the general public, emphasizing that technology should complement human relationships rather than replace them. When used correctly, technology can bring people closer together and even deepen their connection to God.
Brooks expresses hope that the Pope’s message will resonate with Silicon Valley and tech leaders, reminding them that people of faith worldwide are watching how technology impacts human life. He points out the dangerous notion circulating in tech circles that humans are “building God,” a concept the Pope cautions against by referencing the Tower of Babel story, which symbolizes the hubris and eventual downfall of trying to reach divine status through human means. This serves as a warning about the limits and ethical boundaries of technological ambition.
The Pope’s encyclical stresses that AI lacks the capacity to experience love, work, friendship, or responsibility from within, as it does not possess a body or consciousness. Brooks agrees that while technology can be misused or overused, it also holds the potential to enhance human connection and spread positive values like education and love. The key is in how humans choose to use AI—whether as a tool to foster real relationships or as a substitute for genuine human interaction, which could lead to negative consequences.
Ultimately, the power of technology lies in human hands. Brooks underscores that happiness is rooted in love, which can only be truly experienced through real-life relationships with other people and with God. If AI and other technologies are used to support and deepen these connections, they can be beneficial. However, if they replace authentic human interaction, they risk harming our well-being. The Pope’s message is a call to mindful and ethical use of AI, reminding everyone that the responsibility for its impact rests with us.