On Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) criticized billionaire investor Peter Thiel after the tech entrepreneur accused Pope Leo XIV of effectively aiding China by advocating stronger global regulation of artificial intelligence.
Peter Thiel Targets Pope Leo XIV Over AI Regulation
Taking to X, Sanders wrote, “Peter Thiel, the billionaire founder of Palantir, called Pope Leo ‘a Chinese communist agent’ for writing that AI must be used to ‘truly benefit the common good, and is not just used to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few.’”
The Vermont senator then challenged followers with a pointed question: “Who do you trust? Pope Leo or Mr. Thiel?”
The co-founder of Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) and PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) described Pope Leo XIV as a “Chinese communist agent” during remarks at the Aspen Ideas Festival, according to CNN.
Thiel’s comments stemmed from Pope Leo’s May encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), in which the pontiff argued that AI “must be disarmed” and called for stronger international oversight of the rapidly advancing technology.
Speaking at the festival, Thiel argued that such regulations would primarily slow AI development in democratic countries while doing little to restrain China, giving Beijing an advantage in the global AI race.
He said that it effectively means the pope is “working for the Chinese Communists,” a remark that reportedly drew laughter from the audience.
Vatican did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
AI Regulation Debate Highlights Growing Divide
The exchange underscores a widening divide over the future of AI development.
Pope Leo has repeatedly argued that AI should serve the common good rather than concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few, highlighting ethical safeguards and international cooperation.
Thiel, an early Silicon Valley supporter of President Donald Trump and a longtime backer of Vice President JD Vance, has consistently warned that excessive AI regulation could undermine U.S. competitiveness against China.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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