‘AI job cuts could trigger a social calamity’: Pope Leo warns against unchecked automation in first encyclical

Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, cautioning that mass job losses caused by automation could become a “social calamity” if governments and corporations fail to act responsibly. In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (‘Magnificent Humanity’), released on Monday, the pope argued that while AI can help humanity by taking over dangerous and repetitive tasks, it must never be allowed to undermine human dignity or leave millions without meaningful work. The document, which serves as the first major manifesto of Pope Leo’s papacy, places AI regulation, ethics and worker protections at the centre of a growing global debate over the future of technology.The pope strongly criticised profit-driven approaches to automation, saying economic gains should never come at the expense of human livelihoods. He warned that replacing workers with AI systems on a massive scale could deepen poverty, inequality and social instability.“The pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs,” Pope Leo wrote, adding that the economic system must remain subordinate to “human dignity and the common good.”He also warned that without “bold decisions,” many people could become marginalised and surrounded by machines and automated systems that have replaced them in everyday life.Throughout the encyclical, Pope Leo acknowledged that AI has the potential to improve society when used responsibly. He noted that technology can relieve people from “arduous, repetitive or dangerous tasks” and provide intelligent assistance in medicine, education and other sectors.However, he argued that modern technological systems increasingly prioritise efficiency over humanity. According to the pope, workers risk being reduced to rigid and repetitive functions while companies use automation and surveillance tools to maximise productivity.The pope stressed that human beings are not merely units of productivity but individuals created for relationships, community and spiritual purpose.One of the most striking sections of the document compares unchecked technological ambition to the Biblical Tower of Babel. Pope Leo warned that humanity risks building a future centred entirely around data, performance and control while excluding morality and spiritual values.He described this as an ancient temptation taking “a technical guise” in the modern era, warning that society could become increasingly dehumanised if technology is allowed to dominate human life without ethical safeguards.The pope said humanity faces a critical choice: either to build a society that values human dignity and community, or one driven entirely by technological power and profit.The encyclical also calls for governments to take a more active role in regulating AI technologies. Pope Leo argued that data and powerful AI systems should not remain concentrated in the hands of a small number of corporations or political actors.“What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating,” he wrote.The pope further warned that AI is not morally neutral because the values and assumptions embedded within algorithms can shape societies, influence decisions and discriminate against vulnerable groups.He also called for greater transparency in how AI systems are developed and used, saying ethical oversight must extend beyond simply asking whether technology is being used for good or bad purposes.Beyond employment, Pope Leo raised concerns about mass surveillance and what he described as the “digital attention economy.” He warned that constant data collection allows corporations and governments to profile, predict and influence human behaviour, often without people fully realising it.According to the pope, this growing concentration of data and algorithmic power risks undermining freedom and discriminating against vulnerable people, particularly when automated systems influence access to employment, credit and essential services.He called for stronger protections for privacy, transparency and truth in digital communication, while also encouraging what he described as “digital sobriety” in response to increasingly addictive online platforms.As the first encyclical of his papacy, Magnifica Humanitas offers an important indication of Pope Leo XIV’s priorities on artificial intelligence, human dignity and the future of work. The document places ethical concerns at the centre of the global AI debate and urges governments, corporations and individuals to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than replacing or controlling it.Pope Leo concluded by encouraging people not to become passive spectators in a rapidly changing world, but to actively defend truth, compassion, community and human relationships in the age of artificial intelligence.