Pope Leo XIV calls to slow AI race due to moral implications

Can artificial intelligence truly advance without a moral compass? Pope Leo XIV, in May 2026, urged a slowdown in the artificial intelligence race and called for better regulation, highlighting the rapid development and concentrated power in private hands as core concerns.

This statement comes through a new encyclical, which draws a parallel between AI and a “new industrial revolution,” echoing the 1891 Rerum Novarum that addressed industrial labor abuses. The Church aims to establish a moral stance on current automation, algorithms, data control, and the concentration of technological power.

For Pope Leo XIV, AI must serve humanity, not replace it or relegate individuals to a secondary role within the system. His primary concern isn't AI's inherent malevolence, but rather the speed of its development and the accumulation of power, emphasizing the need to always prioritize people over economic profit.

For Pope Leo XIV, AI must serve humanity, not replace it or relegate individuals to a secondary role within the system.

A significant criticism targets the ownership and control of all data collected by AI, asserting that it cannot remain solely with large tech companies. The document calls for independent oversight, stronger laws, and well-informed users, emphasizing that “AI is not neutral”: it reflects the interests of its designers and controllers.

The encyclical also raises alarms about AI's labor impact, reminding us that behind every AI advancement are workers who train models, moderate content, manufacture devices, extract minerals, and maintain infrastructure. The Pope fears AI could generate “new forms of invisible exploitation,” particularly in poor countries or those with poorly regulated supply chains.

Another critical point is the rejection of AI's military application, specifically autonomous systems making lethal decisions without genuine human oversight. The document questions the continued validity of the “just war” theory in an era of increasingly automated and dehumanized conflicts.

With this document, the Church avoids technical debates about the power of AI models, focusing instead on the moral and social dimensions. It raises questions about who truly benefits from this technology, who bears the costs, and whether governments are prepared to regulate a technological power that already surpasses many public institutions.

Pope Leo XIV's message is directed at governments, tech companies, international organizations, and citizens, urging that AI's progress should not be driven solely by the logic of competition, economic gain, or military race. Artificial intelligence must remain a tool at humanity's service, not a force that reorganizes society without democratic control.