Pope Leo Takes Aim at AI

Technology

Pope Leo Takes Aim at AI

What's going on: Pope Leo XIV has now made his stance on artificial intelligence as clear as baptismal water. On Monday, the head of the Catholic Church issued his first encyclical — one of the highest forms of papal documents — and it’s all about AI. In “Magnifica humanitas” (“magnificent humanity”), Pope Leo issued a stark warning about AI’s risks: It could erode human creativity and critical thinking, and blur the line between artificial and genuine human connection. But his most chilling concern? That AI could make it easier for humans to wage war. The text also compares AI hype to the Tower of Babel, the biblical story in which humans tried to build a tower to heaven, and outlines the technology’s negative impacts on labor, education, child safety, and misinformation (who could forget Balenciaga Pope?). 

So is ChatGPT a sin now?: Not exactly. At the presentation of his encyclical, Pope Leo called on governments and tech execs to add guardrails to prevent increasing inequality — meaning students who use ChatGPT for homework help don’t need to head straight to confession. The Pope said that AI must “be at the service of all, and of the common good,” so it seems safe to say that he’s not against all uses of the technology. There is also the fact that Anthropic’s co-founder and safety researcher accompanied him. Still, the encyclical puts the Catholic Church in opposition to many tech companies and governments. One faith and technology researcher told The Wall Street Journal, “The pope is perhaps the single most important person in the world on AI at this moment.”

Related: Students and Faculty Aren’t Happy To Be at the First AI-Powered University (NPR)

The News in 5

🗞️ On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio teased that a deal with Iran was possible amid diplomatic talks. Hours later, the US military announced it had conducted “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran.

🗞️ The Louisiana state senator who championed the construction of Meta’s newest (and largest) data center was secretly buying and selling the land around it. 

🗞️ Paris police are investigating over 100 allegations of physical and sexual abuse in schools and daycare centers across all of the city’s 20 districts.

🗞️ President Donald Trump’s building plans for another Trump Tower are expected to raise questions from critics for one very particular reason.

🗞️ After the US confirmed it didn’t want to host the Iranian men’s national soccer team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, another country agreed to take them in instead.

Work

Shift Workers Are Struggling To Sleep

What's going on: Some people pulled their last all-nighter in college when they left that PSY 101 paper until the last minute. But for millions of Americans, including nurses, warehouse workers, and truck drivers, overnight shifts are just part of the daily (sorry, nightly) grind. Up to 40% of shift workers struggle with Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), a medical condition that goes unrecognized and untreated, sometimes for years. SWSD can cause insomnia, chronic fatigue, and impaired concentration, often leading to more frequent errors at work and a greater risk of injury. Over time, untreated SWSD can even lead to increased risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

Reset your circadian rhythm: Many shift workers with SWSD are rarely diagnosed because it’s not like they can just skip work to do a sleep study. If you have SWSD, there are some sleep tricks you can try. But at the end of the night, it’s your employer who controls your schedule. (That’s only going to get worse as more and more employers turn to algorithms to handle scheduling.) Sleep health disparities disproportionately affect people of color, low-income, and rural workers, and only Oregon and a few cities have protections in place. That means we still have a long way to go before “clopenings” — working a closing shift followed by an opening shift a few hours later — are the stuff of bad dreams rather than an everyday reality.

Related: Small “Vibecession” Splurges Are on the Rise (Axios)

Catching UV Strays

Gen Z Hasn't Learned Its Lesson

What’s going on: Ah, sunscreen. A summer essential and a skincare regimen staple… except for some Gen Zers. While we agree a good tan would fix half of our problems, a growing number of young people are ditching the SPF. It’s the perfect recipe for skin cancer. One 19-year-old said on TikTok that it’s not her problem, but dermatologists quickly dragged her in the comments. Tanning beds boost melanoma risk by 75% in people under 35, one doctor noted. This shouldn’t be a controversial take, but in an era when anyone can offer “medical” advice online, young “tanfluencers” are sharing their unhealthy tips to make the most of the UVs. First “bone-smashing,” now this. 

Isn’t Gen Z wellness-obsessed?: Overall, yes, but some societal trends make sunscreen warnings seem passé. Skin cancer is the most common and one of the most preventable types of cancer. We’ve known since the 1970s that sunscreen protects skin from harmful UV rays, reducing skin cancer risk. Still, plenty of Gen Zers seem more focused on perfecting their summer tans than preventing melanoma. The problem is there’s a whole lot of misinformation out there. Then there’s the MAHA movement influencing policy: The FDA pulled back on a proposal to ban the beds for minors, thanks to OG tanmaxxer RFK Jr. It burns. 

Related: There Goes a Summer Rite of Passage for Teens (The Wall Street Journal Gift Link)

Quick Hits

😋 Trader Joe's loyalists are obsessed with this limited-edition snack that's both salty and sweet. Consider us intrigued.

👀 Researchers say this common household appliance could be releasing billions of microplastics every time you use it. Definitely not the afternoon snack we had in mind.

😴 If you’re having trouble sleeping, dietitians and doctors shared the three best ways to wind down at night for maximum Zzzs.

🩵 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding invite apparently came with a controversial request that has at least one guest reconsidering their RSVP. It’s gonna be a cruel summer.

🧘 This Pilates pose may be the key to better posture, according to experts. Thankfully, it’s not that much of a stretch.

🧀 Need a new niche interest? Lock into this competitive food-fueled sport. Sounds like a wheel-y good time. 

On Our Calendar

Tuesday, May 26

📚 New Freida McFadden novel drops  

The Divorce hits bookshelves — and yes, they’re already turning it into a movie.

♠️ World Series of Poker starts 

There’s millions up for grabs at this year’s tournament, which runs through July 15. Know when to hold ‘em, for real.

👩‍🚀 Sally Ride Day 

Celebrate with a look at this newscast from her 1983 launch — including her endearing message from space.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to the full Skimm+ calendar and never miss a moment.

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Rashaan Ayesh, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.