Data Centers, Artificial Intelligence, and Catholic Church Criticism

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has become a dominant headliner in the last few years. Yet, this phenomenon is drawing concern and even criticism from the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV is worried about how convenient everyday people to find AI as a one-stop fit-all destination for everyday needs. Since his election in May 2025, the Holy Father has visited the subject of AI repeatedly. He is also ready to release his first encyclical on AI by the end of May.

On one occasion, the pope reminded 16,000 students about how human intelligence can never be replaced by AI.

“AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence,” Pope Leo told the students. “And don’t ask it to do your homework for you. It cannot offer real wisdom. It misses a very important human element: AI will not judge between what is truly right and wrong. And it won’t stand in wonder, in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.”

Recently, there has been a surge in the number of data centers across the United States by nearly half. These data centers help feed the Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing boom that is happening this decade and likely for decades to come.

Sadly, these Data Centers are doing more harm than good. Even faith leaders need to take a hard look at the ramifications for the environment.

Environmental Degradation

Organizations like the Catholic Climate Covenant highlight how the exponential growth of data centers siphons local water supplies for cooling and relies heavily on fossil fuels, exacerbating the climate crisis.

Labor Exploitation

One fear and criticism church leaders and researchers have brought forth on AI is how it will eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs. It can even reduce economic dignity, such as interpersonal communication among workers.

Technocratic Paradigm

Laudato Si touches on some aspects of AI. Pope Francis had a vision that AI would enhance human dignity. Even Pope Leo feared how AI could be manipulated for a global superpower to conquer the world.

Subversion of Truth

The pope and other faith leaders have criticized AI systems. Pope Leo advised not to let a bot pose as a priest to give homilies or use them to write the message for Mass.

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an exciting phenomenon. Yet, we must discern carefully how to approach and even use. Human intelligence is still prominent today just as it was in 1926.