Camilla Jessen
Now, the Pope is using his lofty soapbox to draw a new line in the sand.
The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, is drawing attention for his outspoken views on inequality, technology, and the ethical implications of AI.
A Strong Stance on Inequality
Pope Leo has criticized extreme wealth accumulation, singling out Tesla’s enormous pay package for Elon Musk, which would make him the world’s first trillionaire.
The Pope frames these disparities as a growing global problem that demands ethical attention.
No AI Pope Allowed
In a recent interview with his biographer, Eloise Allen, Pope Leo addressed the idea of creating an AI version of himself for people to interact with online.
“If there’s anybody who should not be represented by an avatar, I would say the Pope is high on the list,” the Pope responded, as cited by Vice.
Echoes of Rerum Novarum
Pope Leo XIV named himself after Pope Leo XIII, who authored Rerum Novarum in 1891, a manifesto addressing worker exploitation.
Drawing inspiration from his namesake, Pope Leo XIV has emphasized the ethical treatment of workers in the modern economy and the risks of unchecked automation.
AI and the Modern Industrial Revolution
Pope Leo compares the AI boom to the Industrial Revolution, warning that automation may harm humanity more than it helps:
“If we automate the whole world and only a few people have the means to live well, have meaningful lives, there’s a big problem coming down the line.”
Disruption Beyond Industry
The Pope argues that Big Tech’s influence goes beyond business: it disrupts human connection.
He warns of a future where algorithms are controlled by the super-rich, while the majority of people are reduced to pawns—or worse, deemed irrelevant to corporate interests.
The Illusion of Connection
According to Pope Leo, unchecked technological growth could leave society with a hollow sense of connection, where the internet becomes an echo chamber controlled by those who profit from replacing human engagement with automated systems.
Tech Should Serve Humanity
Ultimately, Pope Leo advocates for a collaborative relationship between technology and humanity, not one of antagonism.
He urges developers and policymakers to ensure tech evolution enhances lives rather than diminishes them.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
