Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah has issued a significant warning regarding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), stating that the technology is poised to displace human labor on a "very large scale." Speaking at an event concerning Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Olah underscored the urgent need for broader oversight in AI development, arguing it cannot be left solely to private entities.
AI's Impact on Employment and Inequality
Olah's address highlighted "three questions for discernment," central among them the undeniable possibility of widespread job displacement due to AI. Should this occur, he stressed, society would face an immense moral responsibility to support individuals who lose their livelihoods.
Beyond job displacement, Olah pointed to the escalating problem of "AI inequality." Currently, the development of advanced AI is largely concentrated within powerful corporations and affluent nations. This concentration risks limiting the benefits of AI, potentially leaving poorer countries and vulnerable populations without adequate access.
He further elaborated on the inherent challenges faced by AI companies, including Anthropic itself. These challenges encompass intense commercial competition, geopolitical pressures, and personal incentives that can sometimes diverge from the greater public good.
"Every frontier AI lab—including Anthropic—operates inside a set of incentives and constraints that can sometimes conflict with doing the right thing," Olah stated. "That is why, if we want this technology to go well, it is enormously important that there be people outside those incentives—people who care about things going well and insist on safety, who are paying close attention, who are willing to say hard things, who are willing to be our earnest, thoughtful critics."
Pope Leo XIV's Call for "Magnificent Humanity"
Olah's warning aligns with concerns recently articulated by Pope Leo XIV. On May 25, the Pope presented his encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas" (Magnificent Humanity), which focuses on safeguarding human values, dignity, and societal well-being as AI gains increasing power and prevalence.
The encyclical characterizes AI advancement as a profound social challenge for humanity, one that will influence critical decisions across economies, politics, and employment sectors. Pope Leo XIV emphasized that "The power and prevalence of emerging technologies are interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping decision-making processes and deeply affecting the collective imagination."
The pontiff also raised critical questions about who will ultimately control AI technology and its long-term applications. Additional concerns outlined in the encyclical include the risks of AI surveillance, manipulation, and the dangerous concentration of digital power.