1 June 2026 · The Guardian
Pope Leo Critiques AI's Power Dynamics
Pope Leo XIV warns against the 'culture of power' driving AI's rise and calls for ethical constraints on its use, especially in warfare.
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Narration includes the headline and summary.
Adapted from The Guardian, 25 May 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.
Key vocabulary
denounce
to publicly declare something to be wrong or evil
“The pope denounced the culture of power driving AI.”
ethical
related to principles of right and wrong
“AI must be subject to ethical constraints.”
disarming
to remove weapons or reduce power
“The pope called for the disarming of AI.”
slavery
the state of being a slave; forced labor
“The church apologized for its delay in condemning slavery.”
autonomous
able to operate independently
“Some autonomous weapons systems are hard to control.”
Quick quiz
01What does Pope Leo XIV think about AI in warfare?
02What historical issue did Pope Leo apologize for?
03What does the pope mean by 'disarming' AI?
04What is the title of Pope Leo's encyclical?
Discussion
How can society ensure that AI development prioritizes ethical considerations?