# Peter Thiel Criticizes Pope’s AI Stance as Benefiting China Thiel claims the pope’s AI regulation push aids Chinese interests. - **Source:** [The Next Web](https://brifing.si/source/afe24b20-b275-4c19-b9a6-8bb3c8babae7) - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/363dda19-32b9-4ed6-bcd1-1f508e494ce6 ## Thiel’s Critique of Pope Peter Thiel labeled Pope Leo XIV a 'useful idiot' for the Chinese Communist Party during the Converge Tech Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. He argued that the pope’s call for AI regulation inadvertently benefits China. Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, made these remarks in a podcast interview with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner. ## Pope’s AI Encyclical Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, in May, urging world leaders to regulate AI. Thiel contended that this document would not hinder China’s AI advancements. Instead, he suggested it could lead the US and its allies to impose stringent AI regulations, potentially stifling innovation. ## Thiel’s China Argument Thiel emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party would not heed the pope’s call for AI regulation. He warned that such appeals might influence US policymakers, effectively aligning with China’s interests. Thiel clarified that he wasn’t accusing the pope of being a communist agent but of acting naively in their favor. ## US Anti-AI Sentiment Thiel attributed the growing backlash against AI in the US primarily to domestic factors rather than Chinese influence. While he acknowledged that China might fuel some anti-AI content, he stressed that Americans themselves are largely responsible for the shift in public opinion. ## Thiel’s German Criticism Thiel also criticized German entrepreneurs for selling their companies prematurely, preventing them from becoming global giants like those led by Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. He noted that among Germany’s wealthiest Generation X individuals, most inherited their fortunes, unlike in the US. ## Thiel’s Investments As a partner at Founders Fund, Thiel has invested in prominent AI companies such as OpenAI, Palantir, and Scale AI. His investments reflect his belief in the transformative potential of AI, contrasting with his skepticism about regulatory approaches that could hinder its development. ## Vatican’s AI Campaign The Vatican has expanded its AI advocacy through the AI4Peace association, aiming to promote ethical AI use. Despite Thiel’s criticisms, the Vatican remains committed to its mission of influencing global AI governance, emphasizing peace and ethical considerations. ## Implications of Thiel’s Remarks Thiel’s comments highlight the tension between AI innovation and regulation. His critique of the pope’s stance underscores the geopolitical dimensions of AI development, particularly the competition between the US and China. Thiel’s perspective reflects broader debates about balancing technological progress with ethical governance. ## Sources covering this story - https://thenextweb.com/news/peter-thiel-pope-leo-useful-idiot-china-ai-regulation — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._