Pope leo schooled the tech bros on tolkien

At a glance:

• Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” warns against AI‑driven technocracy.
• The document quotes Tolkien’s Gandalf, linking AI concerns to the moral lessons of The Lord of the Rings.
• Leo criticises tech oligarchs such as Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, citing their Tolkien‑inspired branding.

What the encyclical says

Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on Monday, focusing on “safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.” Building on Pope Francis’s earlier cautions, Leo describes a “growing dominance of a technocratic paradigm” that threatens to reduce creation to a mere object of exploitation and humans to cogs in an efficiency‑obsessed system. He likens the rise of AI to the industrial revolution of the mid‑18th to early‑20th centuries, echoing Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical that defended workers’ rights amid rapid technological change.

The text is unequivocal in its AI skepticism. Leo argues that unchecked artificial general intelligence could amplify profit‑driven motives, erode human dignity, and concentrate power in the hands of a few tech elites. He calls for personal responsibility to “uproot the evil in the fields that we know” so future generations inherit a clean earth, a direct appeal to moral agency in the face of powerful new tools.

Tolkien references and their significance

The most striking element of the encyclical is Leo’s citation of J.R.R. Tolkien, the Catholic author of The Lord of the Rings. He lifts a line from Gandalf: “It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.” By invoking Gandalf, Leo frames the AI debate as a moral quest rather than a purely technological one.

Tolkien’s work has been co‑opted by right‑wing billionaires. Peter Thiel named his data‑analytics firm Palantir after the crystal‑ball device used by the traitorous wizard Saruman, while his venture capital arm, Founders Fund, is reportedly nicknamed “the precious,” echoing Gollum’s obsession with the One Ring. Elon Musk has even suggested that Tolkien’s saga is an anti‑immigration allegory, a claim widely debunked by scholars. Leo’s Gandalf quote directly counters these appropriations, reminding readers that Tolkien’s mythos warns against the corrupting lure of absolute power.

Tech moguls and the Vatican’s critique

Leo’s encyclical does not shy away from naming contemporary figures. He points to Peter Thiel’s Palantir collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as an example of technology serving surveillance and control rather than the common good. Musk is criticized for his role in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s controversial policies, which have been linked to preventable deaths worldwide, and for supporting a political administration that allegedly weaponises AI for propaganda and military targeting.

Both men have repeatedly invoked Tolkien imagery to brand their enterprises, yet Leo’s message suggests that such self‑identification is a façade. By aligning the moral lessons of Middle‑earth with the Vatican’s call for ethical AI, the pope positions the Church as a counter‑weight to a tech elite that appears more interested in profit and cultural dominance than in alleviating disease or climate change.

Historical parallels and broader AI debate

Leo draws a line from the industrial upheavals of the 19th century to today’s AI surge, reminding readers that each technological wave brings both opportunity and peril. The encyclical echoes earlier Catholic social teaching that champions human dignity, the common good, and the right to meaningful work. It also joins a growing chorus of voices—from ethicists to policymakers—who warn that AI must be governed by values that protect the vulnerable rather than merely optimise efficiency.

The Vatican’s stance adds a unique moral authority to the conversation, urging governments, corporations, and citizens to consider the long‑term societal impact of AI. By referencing Tolkien, Leo provides a cultural touchstone that many outside the tech sphere can grasp, potentially widening the debate beyond academic circles.

What this means for policymakers and the tech sector

For regulators, the encyclical serves as a reminder that AI governance cannot be reduced to technical standards alone; it must incorporate ethical frameworks that safeguard human flourishing. Tech companies may face increased scrutiny, especially when their branding leans on literary symbols that carry moral weight. Investors might reassess the reputational risk of aligning with figures who are publicly critiqued by a global religious institution.

Ultimately, Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas challenges the industry to ask whether AI will be a tool for universal benefit or a new engine of inequality. The Vatican’s appeal to Gandalf’s humility and stewardship could become a rallying cry for a more human‑centric approach to artificial intelligence.