Léon XIV and AI: An Urgent Call to Protect Jobs

Léon XIV alerts on the impact of AI on employment

In his new encyclical titled "On the Protection of Human Beings in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," Pope Léon XIV addresses the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the job market. This publication comes 135 years after the letter from his predecessor Léon XIII, which discussed the conditions of the working class. Pope Léon XIV highlights the risks of a significant and rapid reduction in available jobs, which could have profound repercussions on families, youth, and local economies.

This encyclical was published following discussions with scientists, educators, political leaders, and families. The Pope emphasizes that technology has already created new forms of precariousness and exacerbated inequalities. In the age of AI, Léon XIV calls for the preservation of human dignity in the face of the dangers of dehumanization. He insists on the importance of remaining deeply human and protecting the humanity that has been bestowed upon us.

Protecting jobs in an automated world

While acknowledging the benefits of AI in relieving humans from arduous tasks, Pope Léon XIV stresses the necessity of protecting jobs. He criticizes companies that lay off workers to increase profits through productivity gains from AI. According to him, it is crucial to anticipate transformations in the job market rather than react once jobs have disappeared.

Léon XIV proposes proactive measures, such as establishing social criteria for innovation. He suggests that any automation should be accompanied by job protection measures, professional retraining, and worker participation. He also encourages policymakers to promote training to facilitate transitions and urges companies to value the quality and dignity of work among their success indicators.

Anthropic's warning on AI

Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, the company developing Claude, was invited to speak at the Vatican during the presentation of the encyclical. He considers the Pope's call to be "extremely timely." Olah warns that AI could displace jobs on a large scale, a risk that other companies often downplay.

He also raises a major concern: the development of AI is concentrated in a few wealthy countries, which could hinder an equitable distribution of AI benefits worldwide. According to Olah, there is currently no mechanism to address this issue, a challenge that the Church has always refused to ignore.

A new social doctrine for the Church

Pope Léon XIV compares this encyclical to Rerum Novarum by Léon XIII, which established the Church's social doctrine. In addition to employment issues, he calls for strict regulation of the use of AI in the military domain. He asserts that its development must adhere to rigorous ethical constraints, avoiding an arms race and respecting human dignity and the sanctity of life.