Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI argues technology is not neutral; institutional investors managing over $400 billion in assets are filing shareholder resolutions demanding AI transparency and accountability

Pope Leo XIV issued Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), an encyclical stating that 'Technology is never neutral' and calling AI 'the greatest change in human life since the Industrial Revolution.' The document frames the choice before humanity as between the Tower of Babel (relentless growth divorced from human cost) and the rebuilding of Jerusalem (collaborative resilience with shared responsibility).

Coalitions including the membership of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, representing investors managing over $400 billion in assets, have filed proxy season resolutions demanding transparency, risk assessment, and accountability around AI deployment. Shareholders have challenged tech giants including Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Palantir, and Uber to ensure AI is not used for acts of violence or human rights violations, and have pressed CVS and UnitedHealth Group to prevent AI from undermining patient well-being and health care quality.

Investors have also raised concerns about environmental impact at companies including Meta and Microsoft, citing AI data centers' consumption of vast amounts of energy and water resources and potential greenhouse gas emissions. Within creative industries, shareholders have challenged Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. to provide transparency on AI use and defend the human element in storytelling.

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Grok are all set to enter the public markets, which will allow shareholders to exert similar influence over these currently privately held entities.