On May 25, Pope Leo XIV will release an encyclical dedicated to maintaining human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). The Vatican noted the collaboration with Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah for this project. Anthropic prioritizes safety in AI and aims to mitigate associated risks, highlighting its importance in this event.
This collaboration indicates potential tension between the pope’s stance on AI and the U.S. government. Recently, the Trump administration prohibited U.S. agencies from using Anthropic’s AI technology. They also imposed penalties due to Anthropic’s reluctance to allow unrestricted military use. Anthropic has pursued legal action against the administration, citing unlawful retaliation due to its restrictions on AI deployment. Pope Leo prioritizes AI’s ethical use, especially in military contexts, and advocates for vigilant monitoring.
The encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), will be launched at a significant event at the Vatican auditorium. High-profile church figures such as Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and Cardinal Michael Czerny will present alongside lay speakers including Olah, theologian Anna Rowlands, and Leocadie Lushombo. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will conclude the event. Pope Leo will also address attendees and give a blessing.
Pope Leo signed this document on May 15, commemorating 135 years since Pope Leo XIII’s seminal encyclical, Rerum Novarum. This foundational document addressed industrial-era challenges such as workers’ rights and capitalist limits. The new encyclical will integrate AI discussions within the church’s social doctrines on labor, justice, and peace.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei previously worked with OpenAI. Disagreements over safety led him to start Anthropic in 2021. This company focuses on developing safe artificial general intelligence. Anthropic expressed concerns about AI being controlled by authoritarian governments, advocating for the U.S. and allies to set standards in AI development to prevent misuse.
Anthropic mentioned their recent valuation, reaching $380 billion. The company aims to compete with AI leaders, including OpenAI and SpaceX (now merged with AI firm xAI).
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