By Zoila Palma: Pope Leo XIV has used the first encyclical of his papacy to urge stronger oversight of artificial intelligence, warning that rapidly advancing technology could spread misinformation, deepen inequality and normalize warfare.
In the document titled Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), the pope called on governments to slow the pace of AI development and prevent control of data and digital infrastructure from being concentrated among a small number of private companies.
The Pontiff stressed the need for greater political involvement in regulating the technology. “What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating,” he wrote.
The pope called for robust legal frameworks, independent oversight and protections for workers and children, while warning that AI-driven competition could heighten global tensions.
The pontiff also expressed concern over the use of AI in warfare, cautioning against autonomous weapons and insisting that artificial intelligence in military settings must be subject to “the most rigorous ethical constraints.” Invoking the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, Leo warned against technological ambition driven by power and urged societies to place the common good above unchecked innovation.
Leo criticized the growing concentration of digital power among major technology companies, saying it could create “new dependencies, exclusions, manipulations and inequalities.” While acknowledging AI’s engineering achievements, he maintained that the technology cannot replace human moral judgment and advised priests against relying on artificial intelligence to write sermons.
The post International News: Pope Leo calls for stronger AI oversight in first Encyclical appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Pope Leo XIV has used the first encyclical of his papacy to urge stronger oversight of artificial intelligence, warning that rapidly advancing technology could spread misinformation, deepen inequality and normalize warfare. In the document titled Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), the pope called on governments to slow the pace of AI development and
The post International News: Pope Leo calls for stronger AI oversight in first Encyclical appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.