Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday against dismissals of artificial intelligence as an existential threat, insisting such warnings deserve serious consideration rather than ridicule. His remarks landed as a thinly veiled challenge to former US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight from a four-day visit to France, the pontiff defended experts who caution that advanced AI systems could imperil humanity. “I do consider that the concerns raised by many of the experts, specialists in AI, should be taken seriously,” Leo said. “I don’t consider that that is fake news, as some have stated.”
The comments arrive roughly one week after Trump told the UN General Assembly that anxieties over AI’s potential to harm civilization amount to a “hoax.” Leo, the first American pope, has made technological ethics a defining theme of his 16-month papacy.
He also took aim at technology executives who resist any regulatory oversight of their products. During his press conference, the pope criticized industry leaders who claim innovation requires a hands-off approach, signaling his belief that unchecked development poses unacceptable risks.
As a result, Leo’s intervention sharpens an emerging public divide over how swiftly governments should act on AI safety. His framing places the Vatican firmly alongside researchers urging caution, even as political figures like Trump portray such fears as overstated. The pope’s stance suggests the debate over AI guardrails will intensify in global forums, with moral authority now weighing in on the side of restraint.
