The Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical on artificial intelligence.
Published on 25 May 2026, his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), outlines a deeply spiritual, humanistic and cautionary approach to AI.
Far from being anti-technology, the text urges a vigilant approach to ensure AI serves the common good rather than diminishing human dignity.
The key themes of the encyclical include the disarmament of AI, preserving human centrality, a critique of technocracy, combating new forms of slavery and colonialism, and the risks in autonomous warfare.
People across Malaysia – of all walks of life – should read this encyclical and understand it in the Malaysian context, since the issues raised transcend religiosity.
Still not a community concern
In Malaysia, the subject of AI has not yet a concrete multi-ethnic community concern. Nor is it the subject of a broader conversation about its impact on the common good.
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The preservation of the centrality of the human being, as stated in the pope’s encyclical, is obscured in Malaysia by the simplistic ideology of race and religion – a weakness that is vulnerable to emotional manipulation and foreign interference.
Malaysia is deeply clothed in identity politics, where institutionalised discrimination, prejudices among ethnic communities, socioeconomic gaps between the rich and poor, and a mainstream culture that favours ethnicity over merit all make it fertile ground for the misuse of AI.
The political culture in Malaysia – where the end often justifies the means and this is embraced by the major political parties – is another hotbed for AI abuse.
The dangers of political propaganda through the unethical use of AI are real. AI could be used to ruin the credibility of political opponents or to manipulate data emotionally for certain political outcomes.
Surveillance and the data trap
Equally serious is surveillance capitalism – an economic model where technology companies commodify people’s personal data to predict and influence human behaviour.
It relies heavily on AI. Machine learning and AI are its core engines, allowing companies to process, analyse and monetise massive amounts of personal data collected from everyday digital activity.
Everything we do online – from clicks and purchases to location history – is harvested to build predictive models. These are then sold to advertisers and company to shape future behaviour.
Time to take AI seriously
Civil society has been largely silent on these issues. It is time for people in Malaysia to open up to the new reality of AI, which has far-reaching consequences for human survival and dignity.
There needs to be greater discussion and debate to provide a holistic understanding of AI so that both its benefits and dangers are clearly articulated.
AI should not be in the hands of self-serving political, corporate or military elites. It should be but governed by institutions with ethical foundations.
Technology that improves human wellbeing should always be welcome. But it must be guided by wisdom and concern for the common good. It cannot be in the hands of the few.
The pope’s encyclical speaks directly to the dangers of elite manipulation of AI. It is certainly relevant to Malaysia’s political, social and economic context. – Acid
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
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