AI RELIGION
In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV shared that his choice of papal name was partly a nod to the challenges of AI age.
He drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church through the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution and was known for standing up for workers’ rights.
Back in 1891, Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum, a document calling for urgent solutions to the struggles facing the working class.
Leo XIV pointed to that same spirit, saying the Church today must respond to the rise of AI, a new kind of industrial revolution, and the threats it poses to dignity, justice and labour.
AI has already changed the world, bringing big questions about job security, misinformation, and fairness. It’s also raised ethical concerns, from the use of people’s likenesses without consent to deepening inequality.
Even Pope Francis became a target of AI fakery in 2023, when a viral image showed him in a white puffer jacket, a moment that helped spotlight how convincing (and misleading) these tools can be.
To sum it up:
Pope Leo XIV sees AI as a defining issue for the modern Church, much like industrialisation once was.
He wants to protect workers and uphold human dignity in a fast-changing tech world.
The Vatican is keeping a close eye on AI’s risks, especially around misinformation and inequality.
God, labour, and GPT
Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, said he plans to carry forward the mission of Pope Francis, known for his focus on social justice and a grounded, humble approach to leadership.
Plot twist: the Vatican has read the terms and conditions.