Pope Leo XIV has laid out the vision of his papacy and has identified artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity.

Pope Leo XIV revealed that his papal name was partially inspired by the looming challenges of a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.

Pope Leo XIV, elected last week after the death of Pope Francis, discussed AI during an address to the College of Cardinals on Saturday.

Born Robert Francis Prevost, the new pope chose his papal name in reference to Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) who presided over the Catholic Church during the Industrial Revolution, which ushered in massive social upheaval. Pope Leo XIV sees the AI boom as a similar moment of rapid societal change.

A challenge of human dignity, justice and labour’ - New leader of the Catholic Church says AI poses challenge to humankind and dignity of workers

As the head of an ancient religious organization that spans millennia, the pope's talk about AI creates a somewhat head-spinning juxtaposition, but Leo XIV isn't the first pope to focus on defending human dignity in the age of AI.

In his first official press conference on Monday, Pope Leo XIV said the media needs to use AI with "responsibility and discernment," which sounds like a pretty stark warning to me.