Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence could become a new form of “economic colonialism”, as he called for stronger safeguards to prevent technology being used to dominate individuals and poorer nations.

Addressing members of the International Catholic Legislators Network, Leo said the rapid development of AI risked increasing technological dependence and widening existing inequalities.

“We must remain vigilant in this regard,” he said, “lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.”

The Pope also warned about the growing influence algorithms and digital platforms have over people's lives.

He described “a subtle form of domination when algorithms decide who is seen, and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.”

Such developments, he said, “reveal a new face of the ancient temptation to domination and mastery without service.”

Leo called for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility”.

He said safeguards were needed to ensure that “no single ideology or interest dictates the values embedded in artificial intelligence systems”.

The Pope also raised concerns about technology's impact on human relationships and family life, warning that AI “must never be allowed to erode” the family.

He said this could happen by “reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations”, “flooding young minds with content that distorts desire” and through “economic models that make family life economically precarious”.

The remarks build on Leo's previous interventions on artificial intelligence, which have made human dignity, work and relationships central to his warnings about the rapidly developing technology.

Additional reporting from Fortune via Reuters Connect