Pope Leo XIV warns against AI ‘technocratic paradigm’ in new encyclical

Pope Leo XIV has issued a formal encyclical letter titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, addressing the ethical and social challenges posed by artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and robotics. Published on 15 May 2026, the document warns against a “technocratic paradigm” that prioritises efficiency and profit over human dignity, urging society to reject ideologies such as transhumanism that seek to transcend inherent human limits.

The encyclical calls for the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency in algorithmic governance. It argues that technology is not morally neutral and that opaque systems risk embedding bias and exclusion into the fabric of daily life. The Pope emphasises that data and computational resources must be treated as common goods, accessible to all, rather than monopolised by a select few private entities that currently wield disproportionate influence over public discourse and economic activity.

A significant portion of the document is dedicated to the protection of workers from automation-induced displacement. The Pope asserts that the pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs, as the human person must remain an end rather than a means. He calls for proactive policies that ensure continuous training and professional transitions are accessible, preventing the cost of technological adaptation from falling solely on individuals. The encyclical insists that access to dignified work must be a high priority for public policies, serving as a key criterion for evaluating any model of development.

The document also condemns new forms of slavery linked to digital supply chains, highlighting the hidden labour involved in data labeling, content moderation, and the extraction of rare earth elements. Furthermore, it addresses the risks of AI in warfare, insisting that lethal decisions must remain under effective, self-aware, and responsible human control. The Pope rejects the notion of “artificial moral agents,” stating that no algorithm can make war morally acceptable and that delegating life-and-death decisions to automated processes constitutes an abdication of responsibility.

Concluding with a call for an educational alliance and diplomatic engagement, the encyclical urges a shift from a “culture of power” to a “civilization of love” grounded in the common good, solidarity, and the universal destination of goods. It invites governments, institutions, and citizens to ensure that technology serves integral human development rather than consolidating monopolistic power, framing the digital age as a construction site where humanity must actively choose to rebuild rather than dominate.