Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday threw his support behind Pope Leo XIV's recent call to safeguard human-made art from the encroachment of artificial intelligence, a move that underscores the senator's ongoing scrutiny of the tech industry.
In a post on X, Sanders wrote, "Pope Leo is right. Art is not some kind of superfluous luxury that can be eliminated from our lives. It is a crucial part of the human experience." He added, "We cannot let Big Tech oligarchs destroy it."
The pope, who made history as the first American-born pontiff, had taken to the same platform on Friday to argue for a clear distinction between human creativity and machine output. "There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others," Leo wrote, asserting that algorithms "lack the spark of humanity." He concluded, "For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity."
Sanders has long positioned himself as one of Congress's most vocal critics of AI's unchecked expansion. In March, he teamed up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to introduce legislation proposing a nationwide halt on new data center construction until federal safety measures are in place. That effort aligns with his broader push for stricter oversight of data centers.
More recently, Sanders partnered with Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) on the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would prohibit the development of advanced AI systems until regulators establish safety standards. The bill has attracted 11 co-sponsors in the House, reflecting growing bipartisan unease about the technology's trajectory.
Pope Leo, now in his second year leading the Vatican after succeeding the late Pope Francis, has made AI a priority of his papacy. During a press conference earlier this week, he acknowledged the legitimacy of concerns raised by researchers. "If someone were to ask me, 'Am I in panic mode?' No, I'm not," he said. "I sleep at night. I do think that the concerns raised by many of the experts, specialists in AI should be taken seriously."
The pope's and Sanders's positions come as AI-generated art becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human work, raising questions about copyright, authenticity, and cultural value. Sanders's endorsement adds a prominent political voice to a debate that is likely to shape future legislation.
Observers note that Sanders's alignment with the pope could broaden the appeal of AI regulation beyond traditional progressive circles, potentially influencing upcoming votes on tech policy. However, no immediate legislative action is pending on the art-specific issue.
