How the Pope’s Magnifica Humanitas offers a template for individuals to meet the AI moment
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas" urges individuals to collectively address the ethical challenges of AI, framing it as a choice between divisive technological pursuits and rebuilding a shared humanity. Institutional investors are already acting on these concerns, advocating for responsible AI governance when governments and corporations fall short.
Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas" ("Magnificent Humanity"), calls for humanity to collectively address the profound implications of artificial intelligence. The encyclical posits that technology is never neutral, presenting a crucial choice between the divisive pursuit of technological power, akin to the Tower of Babel, and the collaborative rebuilding of our common humanity, as exemplified by the Book of Nehemiah.
The encyclical emphasizes that AI is a commercial product, not an uncontrollable force, and its power is currently concentrated in very few hands. This concentration of power, coupled with insufficient governmental regulation, necessitates action from other societal forces.
Institutional investors have stepped into this regulatory vacuum. Coalitions representing significant assets are actively filing resolutions with tech giants. These resolutions demand transparency, robust risk assessments, and clear accountability regarding AI deployment.
Shareholders have specifically challenged companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Palantir, and Uber to prevent AI from being used in ways that facilitate violence or violate human rights. Moreover, they are advocating against AI's potential to undermine patient well-being in healthcare, as seen with CVS and UnitedHealth Group.
Investor concerns also extend to the environmental impact of AI data centers, pressing companies like Meta and Microsoft to address their vast energy and water consumption. In creative industries, investors are urging companies such as Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. to ensure transparency in AI use and to protect the irreplaceable human element in storytelling.
These investor actions, rooted in diverse ethical perspectives, align with the encyclical's core message. They underscore the belief that technology should not be used to harm or oppress, reinforcing the call for clear criteria and effective oversight in AI's development and deployment, particularly where public goods and fundamental rights are concerned.
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