“Magnifica Humanitas” (Latin for “The Magnificent Humanity”), addresses the rapid technological developments in the age of digitalization, which find their most advanced expression in artificial intelligence. “This development holds great opportunities, but also great risks,” said Bedford-Strohm. “Technological development has gained such momentum that the rules ensuring its responsible use have not kept pace.” This makes a global public discussion about such urgently needed rules all the more important, Bedford-Strohm noted. “One of the goals is to establish effective mechanisms to protect freedom and human dignity against data corporations whose monopoly power is now virtually uncontrollable,” he said. “Especially when it comes to artificial intelligence, the core issue is also the concept of humanity.” Bedford-Strohm added that it is obvious that the churches, with their rich treasure of anthropological reflection, have something important to say here. “That is why we have been discussing this intensely in the last years within the World Council of Churches,” he said. “I am very grateful that Pope Leo is now giving a strong impulse to this discussion with his new encyclical, which will hopefully have as great an impact on the global public as Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ had on the issue of ecology.” Churches need to raise their voices WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay noted that the WCC has long recognised the advancement and benefits of technology and AI in many areas of life but equally cautioned against the challenges it brings to spiritual, moral, and ethical values if not carefully checked and monitored. “Technology must be used to enhance and develop human life and living and not displace human labour, value, and dignity,” he said. “I am especially grateful to Pope Leo XIV for Magnifica Humanitas, which is very relevant and timely in an age of AI expansion.” Pillay further noted that the theological approach of the encyclical provides a firmly established position as to why churches need to raise their voices of discernment and caution of the risks and consequences that come with AI. “It acknowledges God's creation of human beings and the capacity of humans to do good, but it also acknowledges the presence of evil and its tragic consequences on human beings and life in the world,” he said. “The wars, conflicts, senseless killing of thousands of people daily, and the use of technology that assists in such destruction must be called into question.” When technology is used for good, serving the human good to build family, community, and world, it is in line with God's plan, noted Pillay. “However, in the hands of the powerful and wealthy, it is a tool for self-service and abuse, and of limited good to those who are poor and marginalised,” he said. “Technology without social responsibility is reshaping power relations and impoverishing human relationships.” Pillay concluded that the encyclical helps us to understand the call to love, grace, and peace. “It poses the question that should always be in our minds, hearts and lips: ‘What kind of world are we trying to build?’ ” he said. “The WCC applauds and commends “Magnifica Humanitas” to all people, not just people of faith, for study, reflection, and action as we seek to build a better world for all people and creation.” Encyclical Letter “Magnifica Humanitas” of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica humanitas’: AI must serve humanity not concentrate power (Vatican News) | 
