In an era where global policymakers are struggling to define the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, an unexpected yet historically grounded voice is emerging from the halls of Capitol Hill. The Jesuits of the United States, representing the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Society of Jesus, have submitted a proposal that bridges the gap between 1891 and the digital frontier of 2026. Their central message? Congress should look to Pope Leo XIII’s landmark encyclical, Rerum Novarum, to find the moral foundations for modern AI policy.
From Steam Engines to Algorithmic Governance
The encyclical Rerum Novarum ("Of New Things") was written during a period of tectonic shifts. The Industrial Revolution had upended social structures, creating immense wealth for a few while leaving the laboring masses in precarious conditions. Pope Leo XIII did not limit himself to theological abstractions; he intervened decisively in favor of workers' rights, fair wages, and the state's role in protecting the vulnerable from unchecked corporate greed.
Today, the Jesuits argue that Artificial Intelligence represents the "new industrial revolution." Just as steam engines once replaced manual labor, algorithms now threaten to displace both physical and cognitive work. The concern is not merely about job losses but about human dignity itself. When an algorithm decides who gets hired, who gets fired, or who is eligible for a loan, the human person is at risk of being reduced to a mere data point.
Human Dignity as a Non-Negotiable Principle
In their testimony to Congress, Jesuit representatives emphasized that technology must serve humanity, not the other way around. The principle of "human-centric" development, often cited in European Union regulations, finds its deep roots in Catholic social teaching. The Jesuits propose three core pillars for AI legislation:
- Distributive Justice: The productivity gains brought by AI should not accrue solely to the shareholders of Big Tech but must be shared across society to prevent widening inequality.
- Worker Protection: AI should not be used to intensify workplace surveillance or to undermine human judgment and agency.
- Accountability and Transparency: The "black box" of algorithmic decision-making must be opened. Every citizen has a right to know why a machine made a decision that impacts their life.
"We cannot allow technology to create a new class of 'digital proletarians'," remarked one advisor to the Society of Jesus during the briefing.
The Common Good and the Role of Regulation
One of the most radical aspects of Rerum Novarum was its recognition that the free market, on its own, cannot guarantee justice. Pope Leo XIII argued that the state has a moral obligation to intervene when the rights of citizens are violated. The Jesuits are bringing this message to the present, criticizing the tendency of Congress to leave regulation to the self-policing of Silicon Valley firms.
The Jesuit proposal includes the creation of a regulatory framework that views AI not just as an engine of economic growth, but as a factor influencing social cohesion. They specifically highlight the danger of "digital colonialism," where wealthy nations develop AI by exploiting cheap labor for data labeling in the Global South, thereby establishing new patterns of exploitation.
Conclusion: A Moral Compass for the Future
The Jesuit intervention serves as a reminder that the challenges posed by AI are not merely technical; they are profoundly existential and political. Looking back at 19th-century texts might seem anachronistic to some, but the core principles of justice, solidarity, and subsidiarity remain more relevant than ever. The question Congress must answer is not whether AI will advance—that is a certainty—but whether this advancement will occur under terms that respect the sanctity of the human person. Rerum Novarum offered a way out of the extreme exploitation of the industrial age; it remains to be seen if modern leaders will find the courage to chart a similar path for the digital era.
