Anthropic’s alliance with pope on AI harms: all in good faith or ‘Vatican-washing?’
Pope Leo XIV recently addressed the dangers of artificial intelligence, highlighting its potential to replace workers and harm the environment. His remarks were made during a ceremony at the Vatican, where Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah was present, raising questions about the alignment of AI companies with the pope's concerns. Critics argue that this partnership may lead to superficial discussions that lack critical examination of AI's impacts on society.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV's encyclical warns about the threats posed by AI, including job displacement and environmental exploitation.
- ▪Anthropic's presence at the Vatican ceremony has been criticized for potentially creating a 'feelgood' narrative without addressing deeper issues.
- ▪Experts express concern that major AI companies are not prioritizing the dignity of work as emphasized by the pope.
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Pope Leo with Chris Olah, the co-founder of Anthropic, at the Vatican on Monday. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenPope Leo with Chris Olah, the co-founder of Anthropic, at the Vatican on Monday. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty ImagesAI (artificial intelligence)AnalysisAnthropic’s alliance with pope on AI harms: all in good faith or ‘Vatican-washing?’Sanya MansoorExperts say AI firm’s engagement with Vatican risks creating ‘feelgood’ discourse that lacks critical examinationSat 30 May 2026 09.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 30 May 2026 09.01 EDTShareWhy did Anthropic’s founder sit beside the pope during a warning about AI?In the first major written teaching of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV took artificial intelligence to task.
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