Anthropic Co-Founder Says AI Needs Oversight Beyond Big Tech

Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, has warned that artificial intelligence should not be shaped only by technology companies, arguing that governments, religious institutions and civil society must help guide its future development.

AI Governance Should Go Beyond Technology Companies

Speaking at the Vatican during the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical focused on artificial intelligence, Olah said AI development carries risks too large to be managed by private firms alone.

He warned that artificial intelligence could replace human jobs on a massive scale, calling support for displaced workers a “moral imperative of historic proportions.” According to Olah, companies building advanced AI systems face business and political pressures that may sometimes conflict with society’s broader interests.

He argued that even responsible researchers work within systems shaped by competition and incentives, making outside oversight necessary.

Vatican and AI Industry Discuss Ethical Concerns

The event highlighted growing cooperation between faith institutions and technology leaders over AI ethics. Olah was the only major AI company representative invited to the Vatican gathering, reflecting his long-standing focus on AI safety.

Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, has often emphasized stricter safeguards around artificial intelligence use, particularly in military and surveillance systems.

Job Losses and Global Access Remain Key Concerns

Olah identified three urgent issues: large-scale job disruption, fair global access to AI benefits, and understanding increasingly complex AI systems.

He said the rapid pace of AI development is creating uncertainty, especially among younger generations, adding that society must act carefully to ensure the technology develops in a responsible direction.