How the Pope's Magnifica Humanitas offers a template for individuals to meet th
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in navigating the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. It contrasts the destructive pursuit of the Tower of Babel with the collaborative rebuilding of humanity as depicted in the Book of Nehemiah. The encyclical calls for individuals and institutional investors to advocate for ethical AI governance amidst a lack of regulatory oversight.
- ▪The encyclical states that technology is never neutral and calls for courage and solidarity in the age of AI.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV contrasts the failure of the Tower of Babel with the collaborative resilience shown in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
- ▪Institutional investors have been actively demanding transparency and accountability in AI deployment due to insufficient government regulation.
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OpinionHow the Pope’s Magnifica Humanitas offers a template for individuals to meet the AI momentDespite a lack of regulation, we still have the ability to steer artificial intelligence in ways that can benefit our common humanity. By Séamus Finnarchive pageSusan Francoisarchive pageMay 29, 2026Basilica of the Sagrada Familia Barcelona, SpainAP Photo/Emilio Morenatti Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence includes a statement that warrants serious attention from technologists and policymakers: “Technology is never neutral.” Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”) is a clarion call to all people to act with courage and solidarity as we enter an age already being transformed by artificial intelligence, the greatest change in human life since the Industrial Revolution.
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