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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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Pope Leo XIV has expressed concerns about the 'culture of power' that is driving the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasizes the need for strict guidelines as AI becomes more integrated into various aspects of life, including warfare. Additionally, he acknowledged the church's historical delay in condemning and highlighted the emergence of new forms of in the digital economy.

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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?

Answered 0 of 4

Discussion

How can society ensure that AI development prioritizes ethical considerations?