The irony of a Vatican AI encyclical possibly written with AI assistance
By
Kate Gace Walton
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The article reflects on the irony and complexity of the Vatican producing a lengthy encyclical (titled in Latin) about AI—the fastest-moving technology of our time—while potentially using AI tools in its creation. The author questions the tension between the encyclical's message about not devaluing human labor and the possibility that AI was used to help write it, raising deeper questions about whether devaluing labor is a philosophical stance or a practical economic one.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledI think anyone expounding on AI should have deep experience using it.
Heavy AI use—if confirmed—would complicate one of the encyclical's core messages about not devaluing human labor.
Should we just not devalue it in our minds? Or should we not devalue it by paying for it, even when it is more expensive and slow?
I think responding to the fastest-moving technology of all time with a 42,300-word treatise titled in Latin is objectively funny.
You might also wanna read
Analysis suggests parts of Pope's AI encyclical may have been AI-generated
An analysis posted on LessWrong claims that parts of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas" about AI's impact on humanity may have
theverge.com·5d ago
Pope Leo XIV's AI encyclical warns of societal risks, draws mixed tech industry reactions
Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical letter titled Magnifica Humanitas addressing the societal implications of artificial intelligence. The l
The Verge·4d ago
Satirical Q&A Mocks Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical on AI
A satirical article presented as a Q&A about Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical on artificial intelligence. It humorously describes the encycli
The Onion·3d ago
Vatican positions itself as global moral referee on AI, issues guidelines for clergy
The Vatican, under Pope Leo XIV, is actively working to establish itself as a moral authority and global referee in the AI era. It has issue
axios.com·1mo ago
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical warns AI threatens equality, democracy, and human dignity
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," directly addresses the dangers of artificial intelligence, warning that it risks wid
religionnews.com·6d ago
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical warns of AI risks and calls for human-centered technology governance
Pope Leo XIV's first major papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses the risks of artificial intelligence and unconstrained technolog
The Verge·6d ago