Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic Co-Founder Warn of AI Job Displacement Risks

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 26-May-2026 01:00 PM

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Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic co-founder Christoph Olah issued strong warnings about artificial intelligence and its impact on employment during the release of the Vatican's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on May 25. The event, held in the Vatican auditorium, focused on the moral, social, and regulatory challenges posed by rapid advances in AI technology.

Key Highlights

• Pope Leo XIV and Anthropic's Christoph Olah warn AI could cause large-scale job losses.
• Vatican's Magnifica Humanitas encyclical calls for stronger regulation of AI companies.
• Olah says AI firms face commercial and geopolitical pressures that may conflict with public interest.
• Both Church and tech industry leaders stress need for dialogue on AI's societal impact.

AI Threat to Human Employment

Olah addressed members of the Roman Curia, cardinals, and theologians, stating there is “a real possibility” that AI could displace human labor on a large scale. He emphasized that if widespread job losses occur, supporting those affected will become a moral imperative of historic significance. Olah’s remarks come as companies accelerate the deployment of AI tools capable of automating tasks such as writing, coding, and data analysis. These developments have raised concerns that technology could transform employment faster than societies can adapt.

Vatican Calls for Regulation

The encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas, addresses the rise of artificial intelligence and its societal impact. Pope Leo XIV warned that unchecked technological development could intensify existing global crises. He called for stronger government regulation of AI companies and criticized the concentration of power within the digital sector. The document emphasized that artificial intelligence presents not only technological challenges but also significant human and ethical issues.

Pressures on AI Companies

Olah acknowledged that AI companies face intense commercial competition, geopolitical pressures, and personal ambition. He noted that these factors can sometimes conflict with the broader interests of society. Even well-intentioned researchers, he said, are influenced by these incentives and constraints. Olah argued that external criticism and public scrutiny are necessary to ensure responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.

Church and Tech Industry Dialogue

The joint appearance of Pope Leo XIV and Olah highlighted the need for cooperation between religious institutions and technology companies. Despite the Vatican’s previous warnings about artificial intelligence, both sides agreed that the risks associated with AI are too significant to ignore. Olah called for ongoing dialogue and mutual effort between technology firms and outside organizations, including the Church. He stated that such collaboration is essential for humanity to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.