The Catholic Church, under Pope Leo XIV, is quietly becoming a key arena in the debate over Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While seemingly an unlikely battleground, a growing coalition of researchers, scientists, and even priests is pushing for the Vatican to take the potential risks of AGI seriously, before it’s too late.
The “AI Avengers” and the Urgency of AGI
John-Clark Levin, a researcher in the field, has assembled a network he calls the “AI Avengers” – roughly three dozen experts working to raise awareness within the Vatican about AGI. The core concern is simple: if the Church waits for definitive proof of AGI’s dangers, it may miss the window to act. Leading tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Meta are actively pursuing AGI, and some experts believe a breakthrough could happen within years.
What is AGI, and Why Does It Matter?
AGI refers to AI that matches or exceeds human cognitive abilities across all domains. The concept is highly debated. Some believe it’s already here, others that it’s decades away, and some doubt it will ever exist. The stakes, however, are enormous. AGI could bring unprecedented breakthroughs in science and medicine, or it could lead to inequality, instability, or even catastrophic events like nuclear war.
The Vatican’s involvement is critical not because of its military or economic power, but due to its unique soft power. The Pope’s moral authority reaches billions, transcends borders, and shapes global opinion. This, combined with the Vatican’s neutrality, gives it convening power that could be vital in mediating the increasingly tense AGI debate between China and the United States.
A Tech-Savvy Pope
Pope Leo XIV is uniquely positioned to engage with this issue. He’s the first American Pope, which could ease communication with US-based AI labs. More importantly, he holds a mathematics degree and reportedly has a strong grasp of technology – a novelty for a pontiff. This technical fluency will be crucial in understanding the complexities of AGI.
The Vatican’s Response So Far
The Church isn’t ignoring AI entirely. Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, frequently discussed its societal impact and spearheaded the “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” signed by major tech companies. Pope Leo has also made AI a defining issue of his papacy, citing its risks to “human dignity, justice, and labor.”
However, these discussions have yet to explicitly address AGI. Levin’s goal is to convince the Vatican to formally acknowledge AGI as a plausible future development and launch a scientific consultation to explore its implications. This would mirror the Church’s approach to climate change: gathering expert insights before forming a position.
“AGI Pilling” the Vatican
Lobbying the Vatican is unlike navigating Washington or Brussels. It requires understanding a complex mix of religious, political, and courtly dynamics. Levin describes his approach as “old-fashioned detective work” – building relationships with clergy and quietly making the case for AGI’s urgency.
The key challenge is convincing the Vatican that AGI is a qualitatively different threat than regular AI. It’s not just about faster algorithms, but about a fundamental shift in intelligence that could reshape the world.
An Audience with the Pope
Levin recently secured a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, thanks to an attendee at an AI conference who offered their unused plus-one. While the encounter will likely be brief, it represents a crucial opportunity to deliver his message directly.
The Vatican’s response remains to be seen. But as AGI development accelerates, the Church’s engagement with this issue could prove decisive in shaping its future.
The race to inform the most powerful moral authority on Earth is underway, and the implications for the future of AI are profound.
