(Zero Hedge)—In his first formal audience as the newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV identified artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the most critical matters facing humanity.
“In our own day,” Pope Leo declared, “the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.” He linked this statement to the legacy of his namesake Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and the moral dimensions of capitalism.
His remarks continued the direction charted by the late Pope Francis, who warned in his 2024 annual peace message that AI – lacking human values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness – is too perilous to develop unchecked. Francis, who passed away on April 21, had called for an international treaty to regulate AI and insisted that the technology must remain “human-centric,” particularly in applications involving weapon systems or tools of governance.
‘Existential Threat’
As concern deepens within religious and ethical spheres, similar urgency is resonating from the scientific community.
Max Tegmark, physicist and AI researcher at MIT, has drawn a sobering parallel between the dawn of the atomic age and the present-day race to develop artificial superintelligence (ASI). In a new paper co-authored with three MIT students, Tegmark introduced the concept of a “Compton constant” – a probabilistic estimate of whether ASI would escape human control. It’s named after physicist Arthur Compton, who famously calculated the risk of Earth’s atmosphere igniting from nuclear tests in the 1940s.
“The companies building super-intelligence need to also calculate the Compton constant, the probability that we will lose control over it,” Tegmark told The Guardian. “It’s not enough to say ‘we feel good about it’. They have to calculate the percentage.”
Tegmark has calculated a 90% probability that a highly advanced AI would pose an existential threat.
The paper urges AI companies to undertake a risk assessment as rigorous as that which preceded the first atomic bomb test, where Compton reportedly estimated the odds of a catastrophic chain reaction at “slightly less” than one in three million.
Tegmark, co-founder of the Future of Life Institute and a vocal advocate for AI safety, argues that calculating such probabilities can help build the “political will” for global safety regimes. He also co-authored the Singapore Consensus on Global AI Safety Research Priorities, alongside Yoshua Bengio and representatives from Google DeepMind and OpenAI. The report outlines three focal points for research: measuring AI’s real-world impact, specifying intended AI behavior, and ensuring consistent control over systems.
This renewed commitment to AI risk mitigation follows what Tegmark described as a setback at the recent AI Safety Summit in Paris, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance dismissed concerns by asserting that the AI future is “not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety.” Nevertheless, Tegmark noted a resurgence in cooperation: “It really feels the gloom from Paris has gone and international collaboration has come roaring back.”
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
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As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
