Will the Pope’s Warnings on AI Fuel Further U.S. Backlash?

Why It Matters

The pope’s high-profile denunciation could sway nearly a third of U.S. voters and add moral weight to calls for tighter AI oversight, potentially affecting policymaking and corporate strategy. Tracking public opinion will indicate whether religious authority changes the momentum of the AI debate.

Summary

Pope Francis warned that unchecked artificial intelligence could become "an instrument of domination, exclusion, and death," a stark critique from the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. Commentators say the pope’s language is unusually forceful and could intensify existing U.S. backlash against AI. Roughly 29% of Americans identify as Catholic or culturally Catholic, suggesting his remarks may influence public opinion and political debate. Observers will watch forthcoming polls for shifts in American attitudes toward AI regulation.

Original Description

At a ceremony unveiling an encyclical on AI, Pope Leo XIV warned that the technology could become “an instrument of domination, exclusion, and death." Sebastian Mallaby breaks down why the Pope’s views could lead to further backlash against AI in the U.S., where a significant percentage of the population identifies as either culturally or religiously Catholic.

Watch or listen to the latest episode of The Spillover: https://youtu.be/ytZtsjbwR-c?si=rEnkWqYaanZz9LX_

Subscribe to our channel: https://goo.gl/WCYsH7

This work represents the views and opinions solely of the author. The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher, and takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Visit the CFR website: http://www.cfr.org

Follow CFR on X: http://www.twitter.com/cfr_org

Follow CFR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/councilonforeignrelations/