Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Pope Leo Challenges Trump Over AI Doom Concerns
Pope Leo said people should listen carefully to experts who worry that artificial intelligence could become dangerous.
He said these warnings are not fake stories.
This disagreed with US President Donald Trump, who called fears about AI a hoax.
Leo also questioned technology leaders who oppose limits or government rules for AI.
He said countries, companies and other groups should study the technology together.
He wants safeguards to prevent AI from becoming powerful enough to seriously harm humanity.
Trump planned to meet technology executives to discuss AI policy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the United States must balance safety rules with innovation.
Johnson also warned that too much regulation could hurt US competition with China.
Pope Leo said experts’ warnings that artificial intelligence could seriously endanger humanity should be taken seriously, not dismissed as “fake news.”
His remarks appeared to challenge US President Donald Trump, who recently called fears about AI dangers a “hoax.”
Leo criticized technology leaders who oppose limits or government regulation and urged continued research, dialogue and safeguards.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has called AI safety concerns overblown while discussing guardrails for some AI models.
Trump was scheduled to meet technology executives and House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss balancing AI innovation with oversight and competition with China.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, US President Donald Trump, technology executives, House Speaker Mike Johnson and AI specialists.
- What
- Pope Leo XIV said concerns about AI becoming dangerous should be taken seriously and called for research, dialogue and safeguards.
- When
- The remarks were made on Monday, September 28, after Pope Leo XIV’s four-day trip to France; Trump’s technology meeting was scheduled for the following Tuesday.
- Where
- Pope Leo XIV spoke during a press conference aboard his flight back to Rome; Trump’s planned meeting was to take place at the White House.
- Why
- The discussion concerned potential risks from increasingly powerful AI systems and how to balance safety oversight with innovation.
AI Safety and Regulation
AI Innovation and Limited Regulation
Whether AI risks are exaggerated
AI Safety and Regulation
Pope Leo XIV said warnings from AI specialists, including concerns about severe harm to humanity, should be taken seriously.
AI Innovation and Limited Regulation
Donald Trump called fears about AI’s dangers a “hoax,” while Jensen Huang said AI safety concerns were overblown.
Government safeguards
AI Safety and Regulation
Pope Leo XIV urged research, dialogue and safeguards to prevent AI from becoming dangerously powerful.
AI Innovation and Limited Regulation
Some technology leaders have opposed limits or government regulation, and Mike Johnson warned that “hyper-regulation” could damage US competitiveness.
Balancing safety and progress
AI Safety and Regulation
Pope Leo XIV said society should keep working instead of assuming that nothing harmful will happen.
AI Innovation and Limited Regulation
Mike Johnson said policymakers should protect innovation and avoid falling behind China in AI development.
- Pope’s position
- AI experts’ concerns about serious dangers to humanity should be taken seriously.
- Trump’s position
- Donald Trump described fears about AI’s dangers to humanity as a “hoax.”
- NVIDIA CEO
- Jensen Huang said AI safety concerns were overblown while discussing possible guardrails for certain models.
- Papal proposal
- Pope Leo XIV urged dialogue, study and investigation to prevent AI from reaching a point where it could destroy humanity.
- Planned meeting
- Donald Trump was scheduled to meet technology executives and House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House.
- Policy balance
- Mike Johnson said the talks would address a balance between innovation and oversight.
- China competition
- Johnson warned that excessive regulation could cause the United States to lose the AI race to China.
