Vatican City: American technology expert and entrepreneur Eli Pariser has praised Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, saying the world urgently needs moral leadership as artificial intelligence continues to develop at a rapid pace.
Speaking to Vatican News shortly after the publication of the encyclical, Pariser said the debate surrounding artificial intelligence has become increasingly important because many of the people driving the technology are focused on competition and financial gain rather than ethical concerns.
According to Pariser, the rapid race to develop more powerful AI systems has created a situation where not enough attention is being given to the deeper questions about human dignity, responsibility and the common good. He believes the Pope’s intervention comes at a crucial moment when governments, companies and societies are trying to understand the long term impact of artificial intelligence.
Pariser is widely known for introducing the term “filter bubbles” in 2011 to describe how online algorithms can limit the information people see by showing them content tailored to their preferences. He currently serves as co director of New Public, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthier digital spaces and is actively engaged in discussions about the future of AI.
He recently participated in a Vatican conference focused on preserving human voices and faces in the age of artificial intelligence. Reflecting on the Pope’s new encyclical, Pariser said he was grateful for the Vatican’s leadership in reminding the world that technology should always serve people rather than the other way around.
“The conversation must be about human dignity and human flourishing, not just technology,” he stressed.
Pariser noted that the encyclical has attracted significant attention within the global technology community. Developers, researchers and technology leaders have been discussing the document extensively, examining its ideas and debating its implications. He described it as one of the most talked about topics in technology circles during the week of its publication.
He also believes the document will have a lasting influence because it addresses fundamental questions that will remain relevant as artificial intelligence continues to evolve. While some parts may not appear immediately relevant to everyone, he said the principles outlined in the encyclical will become increasingly important in the years ahead.
One of the themes highlighted by Pope Leo XIV is the choice humanity faces in shaping the future of AI. The Pope warns against creating a modern “Tower of Babel” and instead encourages the development of a society where technology supports genuine human relationships and cooperation. Pariser welcomed this message, saying it serves as a reminder of the dangers of human arrogance and the importance of protecting both human uniqueness and diversity.
He argued that artificial intelligence can either strengthen communities or weaken them, depending on how it is designed. For example, an AI system could encourage a lonely person to build real life relationships and join community groups, or it could simply replace human interaction with an artificial companion. The choices made today, he said, will have major consequences for society.
Pariser also challenged the widespread belief that people have little control over the future of AI. He emphasized that the technology is still in its early stages and can be shaped in ways that genuinely benefit humanity. Whether AI becomes a force for truth, understanding and social connection or a tool for manipulation and division will depend largely on the decisions made by societies, governments and technology companies.
The technology expert further agreed with Pope Leo XIV’s call to “disarm” artificial intelligence by freeing it from excessive competition and profit driven motivations. Drawing lessons from the experience of social media, he warned that technologies developed solely for economic returns often produce harmful consequences for individuals and communities. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that AI can develop differently if people take an active role in guiding its future.
“There is still plenty of room to shape things differently,” Pariser said, urging society to move beyond feelings of helplessness and take responsibility for directing artificial intelligence toward the service of humanity.