Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, has prompted discussion about how artificial intelligence (AI) should be understood and governed. Philosopher Mezei Balázs Mihály, professor at the National University of Public Service, discussed the document in a podcast conversation with communication researcher Aczél Petra, professor at Széchenyi István University, who is a regular contributor to the series.
Framing the public debate
The podcast framed public discourse on AI as oscillating between two extremes: a near-religious technological optimism that sees AI as a solution to many problems, and apocalyptic fears that humanity will lose control of its creations. Mezei argued that neither extreme helps to clarify what is happening. He characterized the encyclical as a realist, sober response rather than an expression of technophobia or alarmism.
According to the discussion, one of the encyclical’s key messages is that technology should not be placed above human beings. The document does not reject AI outright; rather, it interprets the technology through the lenses of human dignity, freedom and responsibility.
Why the pope’s voice matters
Mezei emphasized the significance of the pope speaking on this issue: voices with similarly broad moral and cultural influence are rare. A papal encyclical is not merely an opinion piece; it addresses the Church, believers, and, more broadly, the world, giving it weight in the global ethical conversation about AI.
Human dignity in the age of AI
A central theme of the discussion was the nature of human dignity. Mezei described human dignity as infinite in a qualitative sense but distinct from absolute infinity: it applies to every human person and is inviolable, while being accompanied by our biological finitude. This distinction sets limits on debates about technology: although technology may advance, human dignity cannot become a measurable, reducible, or algorithmic variable.
Mezei concluded that AI is neither demon nor messiah but a powerful, transformative tool affecting many domains. It therefore requires careful, serious questioning about its design, deployment, and governance. He warned that the greatest danger is not asking questions about AI, but failing to ask them.
Technology and human value in the encyclical
Aczél Petra summarized the encyclical’s stance by noting that the text does not proclaim technology to be wonderful for its own sake; rather, it affirms the primacy of the human person. Humans must handle AI’s possibilities and risks responsibly. AI is not inherently good or bad — its ethical status depends on how and for what purposes it is used.
Further podcast topics
The podcast also addressed why the pope selected AI as his first major topic; how Catholic teaching relates to artificial intelligence; the scarcity of voices that ask fundamental questions in the AI debate; and the potential roles of tech companies and the global elite in shaping AI’s future. Time indexes for these segments are provided in the episode.
The full episode is available on the podcast channel for listeners who want to hear the complete discussion.
