Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence risks becoming a new form of “economic colonialism,” deepening the gap between wealthy and poor nations, and said algorithms are already creating “a subtle form of domination” over who gets seen and heard.
“We must remain vigilant in this regard,” Leo told the network of officeholders who make up the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) on Friday. “Lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.” He warned that AI’s rapid development risks leaving poorer countries increasingly dependent on wealthier ones for the technology.
