Pope Leo XIV, the current head of the Catholic Church, has issued a strong warning over artificial intelligence in his first major Vatican document focused on the technology.
In the document released on Monday, he likened today’s rapid AI development to the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, warning that humanity risks building powerful systems without fully grasping their long-term consequences. He said such progress could ultimately do more harm than good if left unchecked.
A key part of his message addressed the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. He stressed that the technology must be tightly regulated, insisting it should be subject to “the most rigorous ethical restraints” when deployed for military purposes.
He also cautioned that AI could erode human dignity if societies begin prioritising efficiency, speed and profit over people.
Pope Leo XIV called for stronger regulations, independent oversight, and greater accountability from major technology firms, warning that control of such powerful systems should not be concentrated in the hands of a small number of global actors.
The pontiff has repeatedly described artificial intelligence as one of the most serious challenges confronting humanity, urging governments and technology companies to act responsibly as the technology continues to evolve.
