Vatican City: A senior Microsoft executive has praised Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical *Magnifica humanitas*, saying it offers important insights that can help shape the ethical development of artificial intelligence and strengthen understanding of the human person in an increasingly digital world.
Taylor Black, Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, said the Church’s reflections on human dignity and human intelligence provide a valuable contribution to conversations about the future of AI. He shared his views in an interview with Vatican News, speaking in a personal capacity.
Black explained that modern AI systems are different from traditional technologies because users actively shape their experiences through interactions with the technology. Unlike earlier software that produced predictable results, today's generative AI tools respond in ways influenced by both their training data and the prompts given by users. Because of this, he said, technology companies must gain a deeper understanding of human nature and human behaviour.
According to Black, technology itself does not offer a clear vision of what it means to be human. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, developers are increasingly looking beyond technical fields and engaging with philosophy, ethics, and religious traditions to better understand the people who use their products.
He pointed to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, published in May 2026, and the Vatican document *Antiqua et nova*, released in January 2025, as examples of the Church's effort to apply its long tradition of reflection on the human person to emerging technologies. These documents encourage careful consideration of how AI influences human thinking, decision making, and relationships.
One area of particular concern, Black said, is the impact of AI on children and young people. He noted that children often lack the maturity and judgment needed to critically evaluate information generated by AI systems. Comparing AI interactions to leaving a child alone with a highly intelligent but morally uncertain adult, he warned that AI may sometimes provide information or suggestions that young users are not prepared to assess properly.
Black also highlighted Pope Leo’s concerns about preserving a person's authentic voice and identity. He said AI tools are increasingly capable of altering speech, writing styles, and even digital images. While adults may consciously choose how to use these technologies, children may be more vulnerable to having their personal identity shaped by AI before fully developing their own unique voice and perspective.
In his work evaluating startups and emerging technologies, Black said companies that respect human values and understand how people think are more likely to build successful products. Responsible AI design, he added, requires careful attention to how these technologies interact with human cognition and decision making.
Looking ahead, Black expressed hope for closer collaboration between AI developers and experts in theology, philosophy, and ethics. He said technology creators can benefit from the Church’s insights, while religious and ethical thinkers can gain a better understanding of how AI systems function in practice. Such dialogue, he believes, can help ensure that innovation remains centred on the well being and dignity of the human person.
Addressing criticism of cooperation between technology companies and religious institutions, Black argued that meaningful discussions about AI inevitably raise questions about human purpose, morality, and values. Ignoring perspectives from faith traditions, he said, would limit efforts to understand the people who ultimately use and are affected by these powerful technologies.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve rapidly, Black believes Pope Leo XIV’s *Magnifica humanitas* offers a timely reminder that technological progress should always be guided by a deeper understanding of the human person and the common good.