Pope Leo rejects AI "fake news" claims after Trump calls fears a "hoax"

Pope Leo XIV dismissed concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) being classified as "fake news," despite President Trump's assertion that such warnings are a hoax. The pontiff, leading the Catholic Church as AI risks intensify, views these concerns as serious and not fabricated attempts to gain financial or other benefits, according to Leo's recent remarks to reporters aboard a plane.

Leo asserted that the warnings from AI researchers should be taken seriously, emphasizing the potential threats AI poses to human judgment, inequality, and democracy. Despite Nvidia's recent software launch aimed at securing AI agents, Leo criticized Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, for dismissing AI risks and advocating against government regulation, suggesting that Huang's stance may be driven by financial motivations.

The Vatican's first major encyclical on AI, released in May, positioned the Catholic Church as a moral voice in the ongoing AI debate, warning of AI's potential to erode human judgment, deepen inequality, and destabilize democracy. Leo urged continued collaboration among political leaders, AI leaders, social organizations, and associations to address both current and future AI-related challenges.

As the first American pope, Leo positions the Church to counter President Trump's dismissal of AI safety concerns, which he labeled as a "sick conspiracy."