AI, the Church, and the Human Person: A Catholic Reflection on Artificial Intelligence
How should Catholics respond to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence? What ethical, spiritual, and human questions does AI pose for the Church, for society, and for each of us?
Join the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and St. Mary’s University for a thought-provoking, two-day conference exploring the intersection of faith, technology, and humanity. Grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, this event brings together theologians, ethicists, tech experts, and Church leaders to reflect on the promises and perils of AI.
With keynote addresses, panel discussions, and practical workshops, the conference will examine:
- The ethical use of AI in light of human dignity
- The impact of AI on education, work, and community
- AI’s implications for pastoral care, evangelization, and Catholic ministry
- How the Church can guide and lead in the age of artificial intelligence
Who should attend?
Clergy, religious, educators, students, tech professionals, and anyone interested in the future of faith in an AI-driven world.
Let’s discern together how we can responsibly shape — and be shaped by — the digital age.
Friday:
7:00 a.m. Mass
7:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. First Panel: What is AI?
10:00 a.m. Second Panel: Catholic Social Thought on AI (Philosophical, Legal, and Theological)
12:00 p.m. lunch on site
1:30 a.m. Third Panel: AI Complexities Related to Education, Parenting, Family Ministry, and Religious Freedom
3:00 p.m. Fourth Panel: Catholic Institutions Role related to AI: who should be doing what?
7:00-9:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker and questions.
Saturday:
(7:00 a.m. Mass?)
7:35 a.m. continental breakfast
8:00-9:20 a.m. Saturday Keynote speaker and questions.
9:30 a.m. Moderator reviews previous day and how day will work related to tables and draft model guidelines.
9:50 a.m. Break up into 8ft round tables for discussion of various sets of best practices: K-5, 6-9, 10-12, Higher ED, Parenting, Family Ministry.
10:50 a.m. Coffee and bathroom.
11:00 a.m. Switch Tables and do the same. Choose a table representative to discuss after lunch what their tables experience was, what they learned and comments on the model guidelines.
12:00 p.m. lunch on own
1:30 p.m. Have one individual come up from each table to discuss how their table discussion went, what were the biggest takeaways, what are some key changes to the model best practices they would make, what have they learned at the symposium, and what will they do with the information. (Will need to manage time for each speaker based on number of tables ie. 10 tables then each person gets 12 minutes max etc.)
3:30 p.m. Wrap up panel and questions from the audience.
4:30 p.m. End.
Sunday: Optional trip to Banf and Lake Louise. Own transportation will be needed, but recommend carpools.