Pope Launches AI Encyclical With Anthropic Co-Founder
The Vatican's first document on artificial intelligence will be unveiled May 25 with tech industry participation, signaling the church's engagement with AI ethics.
Pope Leo XIV is stepping into one of the defining conversations of our time. On May 25, the Vatican will launch the pontiff's first encyclical on artificial intelligence—a formal church document addressing the care of human dignity in an AI-driven era. And the church isn't doing it alone: Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah will participate in the launch, marking a significant moment of dialogue between religious leadership and the tech industry.
Encyclicals are weighty statements of Catholic teaching meant to guide both the faithful and the broader public on major issues. That the pope would issue one specifically on AI signals how seriously the church is taking the technology's implications for human society. Unlike some institutional voices that treat AI as either purely utopian or apocalyptic, a papal encyclical will likely stake out a more nuanced position rooted in Catholic principles around human dignity, labor, and community.
The inclusion of an Anthropic co-founder in the launch event is notable. Anthropic, founded in 2021, has positioned itself as an AI safety-focused company, distinct from larger tech players. The participation suggests the Vatican sees some tech voices as worth engaging with on these questions—and that conversation between institutions (religious, governmental, corporate) on AI governance is already underway at high levels.
For Canadians and Ottawa residents following AI policy, this moment matters. How the church frames AI ethics will influence conversations in legislatures, corporations, and communities across the country. The Vatican's voice carries weight in circles that aren't always reached by tech policy debates.