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Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas warns that artificial intelligence concentrates power in big techs, consumes natural resources, demands algorithmic transparency, calls for independent auditing, advocates human supervision, and transforms digital governance into a public issue linked to human dignity
Artificial intelligence officially entered the center of the Catholic Church’s ethical discussion following the publication of the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. Signed by Pope Leo 14 on May 15, 2026 and published on May 25, 2026, the document marks the Vatican’s first major formal stance on AI governance.
With nearly 200 pages, the encyclical states that the technological power is no longer predominantly state-owned and has shifted to large private companies. According to the pope, governments, companies, and civil society need to subject technological innovation to the common good, with public responsibility and human supervision.
Document connects artificial intelligence to the new global social issue
The publication occurred exactly 135 years after Rerum Novarum, the 1891 encyclical that addressed the social impacts of the Industrial Revolution. Now, the Magnifica Humanitas shifts the debate to the governance of artificial intelligence, algorithms, and digital platforms.
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Leo 14 states that technology is not neutral. In the pontiff’s view, automated systems reflect the interests of those who design, finance, regulate, and use them. Therefore, the document demands algorithmic transparency, human supervision, independent audits, and the treatment of data as a fiduciary asset.
Image: Disclosure/Vatican Media/AFP
Tower of Babel and Jerusalem symbolize two models of society
The encyclical uses two biblical references to explain the risks of technological concentration. The Tower of Babel appears as a symbol of extreme efficiency, centralization of power, and social exclusion, in a logic associated with the expansion of digital monopolies.
Meanwhile, the reconstruction of Jerusalem by Nehemiah represents collective responsibility, community participation, and balanced division of power. In this context, Leo 14 contrasts the so-called civilization of power with the civilization of love, placing AI at the center of this conflict.
Energy Consumption of AI Enters the Center of Ethical Discussion
The document also states that artificial intelligence relies on physical infrastructure and high energy consumption. According to a study cited from the journal Joule, a simple summary generated by platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini consumes about 0.31 watt-hour.
When models perform complex reasoning tasks, consumption can rise up to 13 times per request. Therefore, the encyclical advocates for audits on energy, emissions, water use, and environmental impact, treating these factors as part of intergenerational justice.
Document Organizes Ethical Concerns into Four Main Areas
Based on the concept of ontological dignity, the pope structures the ethical discussion into four central axes: environment, labor market, human relations, and military use. In the environmental axis, technological progress should not degrade ecosystems nor compromise natural resources.
In the labor market, AI can reorganize tasks, reduce human roles, and disqualify workers. In human relations, the document warns that chatbots can simulate affection but lack moral interiority. In military use, no algorithm should be given final authority over lethal decisions.
Presence of Anthropic Executive Sparks Debate at the Vatican
The official presentation of the encyclical, held in Rome, featured Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, the company responsible for Claude. The presence of the executive sparked debates about possible ethical image laundering by tech giants.
Even so, Olah reportedly argued that the development of AI needs external guidance. According to this view, governments and civil society should not allow companies to control technological advancement alone nor define their own limits.
Encyclical States That Digital Freedom Must Have Human Oversight
A Magnifica Humanitas maintains that data, platforms, patents, and digital infrastructure should not serve only private profit. The document criticizes platforms that unilaterally define rules of access, visibility, interaction, and economic opportunity.
Therefore, automated decisions need to be explainable, auditable, contestable by humans, and associated with identifiable responsible parties. A digital punishment, such as banning or service restriction, must have clear mechanisms for appeal.
What changes after the Magnifica Humanitas?
The encyclical places artificial intelligence at the center of a dispute over power, responsibility, and human dignity. Now, the global debate involves not only technological innovation but also public oversight, transparency, and ethical limits for algorithms and big techs.
In this scenario, should artificial intelligence advance guided only by efficiency, or must it follow stricter rules to protect society?
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