The Artificial Intelligence Show · Thursday, August 6, 2026
Pope Francis has released a lengthy encyclical titled 'Magnificent Humanitas,' focusing on the societal impact of artificial intelligence. In it, he stated that technology is never neutral and tends to amplify the power of those with economic resources and data access, calling for AI to be 'disarmed' by freeing it from monopolistic control. This message reached over 1.3 billion Catholics.
“So back in May, Pope Leo the 14th issued his first encyclical called Magnificent Humanitas. It runs more than 43,000 words and it is about basically all about AI. He wrote that technology has never been neutral, AI tends to amplify the power of those who already possess economic resources, expertise and access to data. He called on the world to disarm AI, which he defined as freeing the technology from monopolistic control.”
“And that message went out to more than 1.3 billion Catholics.”