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AI’s growing power: who really controls it?

Vatican CityTuesday, May 26, 2026

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The Vatican’s Bold Stance on AI: A Call to Reclaim Humanity from the Machines

AI Is Not Neutral—It’s a Reflection of Power

A groundbreaking letter from the Vatican doesn’t just warn about artificial intelligence—it dismantles the myth of neutrality in tech. Released on the anniversary of a historic social justice manifesto, the document argues that AI is inherently shaped by the values of its creators. When corporations and governments dictate its rules, they control who thrives and who is left to struggle.

The Moral Cost of AI in Warfare

The Vatican doesn’t mince words on AI in combat. Machines, it states, lack the humanity to grasp the devastation of war—no matter how fast they calculate decisions. This debate isn’t new, but its urgency is. In 2025, the U.S. government began awarding massive AI contracts to tech giants like Google and OpenAI for military applications. When one company withdrew over ethical concerns, another swiftly took its place—a stark reminder of how deeply AI has already been woven into defense systems.

Protecting Workers in the Age of Automation

Beyond the battlefield, the letter demands stronger labor safeguards and transparency in AI training. It urges educational systems to prepare students for a world where machines dominate, without letting technology overshadow human potential. Vulnerable groups—migrants, factory workers in hazardous conditions—are highlighted as those most at risk of being left behind.

The Core Message: Tools Should Serve Humanity, Not Replace It

At its heart, the Vatican’s message is clear: technology must remain a servant, not a master. It’s a challenge to redefine progress—not as innovation for its own sake, but as a force that lifts all people.

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