A new papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, drops a provocative critique of concentrated power and the tech elite.
The Pope’s AI encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, might have ‘artificial intelligence’ in its title, but it’s really about warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of democratic values. Published by Pope Leo XIV on Monday, the document uses AI as a lens to examine long-standing issues in society.
Concentrated Power
The Pope is concerned that AI is being used to concentrate power in the hands of a few tech giants, who are shaping the world according to their own interests. He argues that this is a threat to democracy, which relies on the ability of citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
The Tech Elite
While AI has the potential to improve people’s lives in many ways, the Pope is worried that it’s also being used to further entrench the power of the tech elite. This group, he says, is using AI to monitor and control people, eroding their freedom and autonomy.
A Warning from the Past
The Pope’s encyclical is not just a critique of the tech industry – it’s also a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of democratic values. He’s drawing on a long tradition of papal warnings about the dangers of concentrated power and the importance of protecting human dignity.
So what does this mean? In practical terms, it means that we need to be paying closer attention to how power is being concentrated in our society, and how it’s being used to shape our lives. It’s a reminder that, even as we celebrate the potential of AI to improve our lives, we need to be vigilant about its dangers and make sure that it’s serving the common good, not just the interests of a few.
The Pope’s encyclical is a call to action, urging citizens to hold their leaders accountable and to demand a more democratic and equitable society. It’s a timely reminder that, as we hurtle towards a future shaped by AI, we need to be mindful of the values that we’re creating and the world that we’re building.
