Brief

The author was deeply impressed by an encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, which they found to be a highly advanced and courageous political manifesto. The document, spanning 70 pages, critiques oligarchies and oligopolies that threaten humanity's future and advocates for shared responsibility in building a better world. It contrasts the Tower of Babel's forced uniformity with the communal rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing that technology is not neutral and can lead to dehumanization if not guided by shared values. AI

Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas" addressing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The document, presented as a successor to a 19th-century labor encyclical, frames the choice for humanity as between the "Tower of Babel" (representing dehumanization and dominance) and the rebuilding of "Jerusalem" (symbolizing communion and shared responsibility). However, the author critiques the encyclical, arguing that its own structure and rhetorical approach, particularly its reliance on a single biblical metaphor, inadvertently mirrors the reductive tendencies it condemns in AI and Silicon Valley. AI

Pope Francis has issued an encyclical on artificial intelligence, drawing parallels to the biblical Tower of Babel narrative. He specifically references J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" in his discussion of AI's potential pitfalls and ethical considerations. AI