Slavoj Žižek on AI, Digital Feudalism, and Peter Thiel as the ‘Antichrist’ Figure
In this essay, Slavoj Žižek argues that today’s AI-driven capitalism is moving toward a form of “digital feudalism,” where algorithmic power and wealth concentrate in the hands of a few tech monopolies. He praises Pope Leo’s encyclical as a rare broad critique of technology that avoids both anti-technology panic and techno-utopian optimism, emphasizing that technology is never neutral and should not be left to market forces alone. Žižek then turns to Peter Thiel, presenting him as the clearest example of the kind of power the Pope warns against: a figure hostile to regulation, suspicious of global governance, and supportive of concentrated digital control. The piece frames the political struggle over AI as a conflict between shared responsibility and elite domination.
AI and the rise of digital feudalism
Žižek describes contemporary unbridled capitalism as entering a more dangerous phase, where AI can deepen inequality and concentrate algorithmic power in a few monopolies.
Why the Pope’s encyclical matters
He argues that Pope Leo offers a clear framework for thinking about technology: it is not neutral, should not be monopolized, and must not be governed only by the invisible hand of the market.
Peter Thiel as the target of critique
Žižek presents Thiel as the opposite of the Pope’s vision, highlighting Thiel’s warnings about global governance, regulation, taxation, surveillance, and sanctions.
A conflict over who controls the digital future
The essay suggests that the real issue is whether AI and digital systems will be shaped by shared social responsibility or by a small group of tech and political elites.
Key takeaways
- Žižek sees AI as a driver of concentrated wealth and power.
- Pope Leo’s encyclical is praised as a serious, balanced critique of technology.
- Technology is presented as politically shaped, not neutral.
- Peter Thiel is used as a symbol of anti-regulatory tech power.
- The core debate is over social responsibility versus elite control.
Summary based on Slavoj Žižek’s article “WHY I AM AN ATHEIST COMMUNIST SUPPORTING THE POPE” (Substack), published 2026-06-20: https://slavoj.substack.com/p/who-is-antichrist-today Read the original post on Substack.