Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic release AI manifesto demanding global regulation

On Monday, May 25, Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah unveiled a new social encyclical titled 'Magnifica humanitas: Protecting Humanity in the Age of AI' at the Vatican. The document sharply criticizes the consolidation of data and power by a handful of private tech companies, specifically naming market leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic. With both firms reportedly heading toward IPOs valued near $1 trillion—exceeding the GDP of many countries—the encyclical argues this concentration poses a grave threat to society and especially to children. Olah acknowledged during the presentation that AI development carries a massive risk of widespread job displacement, underscoring the need for independent outside control. The encyclical also delves into military applications, with the Pope declaring the Catholic Church's traditional 'just war' theory completely outdated in the context of AI-driven warfare.

The initiative is the culmination of a ten-year dialogue between the Vatican and Silicon Valley aimed at building strict legal frameworks for AI. The document lays down ethical and social standards designed to ensure the digital revolution prioritizes human dignity and the common good over corporate profits or political influence. It calls for international regulation and independent oversight across the entire tech sector, challenging both private companies and governments to adopt a human-centric approach. For tech professionals, this signals a growing moral and regulatory pressure that could reshape how AI models are developed, deployed, and governed globally.