Fund independent journalism, and save money Claim discountClaim discount The Guardian - Back to home The Guardian Show more Hide expanded menu # Pope Leo warns AI could lead to losing 'humanity amid a paradise of machines' in Paris –video Pontiff continues to decry the rise of AI on his visit to France, stressing the importance of retaining 'ethical discernment' in an age when rapidly advancing technology threatens to undermine humanity

• Pope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visit Fri 25 Sep 2026 12.49 EDT ## At this dangerous time We hope you appreciated this article. Before you close this tab, can we ask you to support the Guardian at this critical time for journalism in the US? For a few days only, our most impactful monthly support option is just $7.50 a month for six months. According to a leading global watchdog, US democracy is now more imperiled than at any point since the 1960s. Press freedom is under threat on many fronts – from criminal investigations to politicized regulation, frivolous lawsuits and catastrophic funding cuts to public media.

With the midterm elections approaching, these attacks are accelerating. Most recently, Donald Trump banned CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House, in retaliation for “negative” coverage.

In August, Trump suggested that the host of Meet the Press should be “punished” by the FCC for making a factual statement he disliked. Trump is using the agency – which is supposed to be an independent regulator – to settle political scores: The FCC targeted ABC after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Melania Trump. The Pentagon fired the editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper for “insubordination” shortly after they reported on a suicide attempt aboard the USS Lincoln.

Together these efforts make it more difficult to get fact-based reporting to US voters ahead of critical elections that will determine control of Congress and the future of Trump’s agenda.

Together these efforts make it more difficult to get fact-based reporting to US voters ahead of critical elections that will determine control of Congress and the future of Trump’s agenda.

Making matters worse, many of the US’s largest news organizations are now owned by billionaires whose personal and business interests may be at odds with safeguarding editorial independence. Media critics have observed how CBS News, now owned by a Trump ally, has softened its coverage; CNN could be taken over by the same billionaire; and Jeff Bezos has imposed extreme staff cuts and editorial interventions at the Washington Post.

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