Why this Silicon Valley priest wants to teach AI right from wrong

In late May, Pope Leo XIV released Magnifica Humanitas. His first papal encyclical is an appeal for a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. Joining him at the Vatican for the unveiling was Anthropic co-founder, Chris Olah, and Father Brendan McGuire, pastor at St. Simon parish in Silicon Valley.

McGuire joined the priesthood after a career in tech and co-founded the Institute of Technology, Ethics and Culture — a joint initiative of the Vatican and Santa Clara University. He's one of a handful of religious leaders Anthropic has consulted on building ethics into AI.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Father Brendan about his experience as a spiritual advisor to AI.