Pope Leo XIV urges lawmakers to prioritize people over AI-driven economic control
At a Rome conference, Pope Leo XIV warned that unchecked AI could deepen technological dependence and act as a new form of economic colonialism, urging legislators to put human dignity first.
During the International Catholic Legislators Network’s annual meeting in Rome, Pope Leo XIV appealed to legislators to craft AI regulations that serve people rather than profit. He warned that the swift advance of artificial intelligence could forge new dependencies, especially for poorer countries reliant on richer ones, effectively becoming a form of economic colonialism. The Pope highlighted how social-media algorithms already exert a quiet form of domination by controlling visibility and influencing discourse without oversight.
He expressed concern that AI might undermine the family unit, turning relationships into data points and threatening economic security for households. Leo urged lawmakers to adopt measures that strengthen marriage, support parental education, and give young people confidence about the future. His remarks build on previous papal calls for moral discernment and justice-oriented AI development.
Why it matters
The pope’s call could shape future AI legislation, affecting global tech equity and family welfare.
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