Pope Leo calls for being 'profoundly human' in the age of AI (www.theverge.com)

Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," which addresses the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence (AI). In this 42,000-word document, he warns against the unchecked technological power that could lead to risks such as AI-driven warfare and labor market disruptions, calling for a robust legal and ethical framework to prioritize human dignity in tech governance. He compares today's society to the Tower of Babel, urging a rejection of the "Babel syndrome" — the tendency to prioritize profit over the vulnerable and to standardize human experiences into mere data. Significantly, Pope Leo emphasizes that human intelligence should guide technological advancements, rather than allowing algorithms to dictate societal norms and decisions. He advocates for a careful approach to AI adoption, promoting proposed measures like transparency in algorithmic decisions, social criteria for implementing automation, and protections for workers facing job displacement. By engaging directly with the AI industry and challenging tech giants, the pope aims to ensure that technological progress is aligned with moral discernment and the needs of humanity, ultimately fostering a responsible relationship between society and AI.