Everyone has a part to play in realizing the vision of Magnifica Humanitas

The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe co-sponsored a webinar on June 9 with some of the Church’s leading experts on ethics and technology to break open the pope’s new encyclical on safeguarding the human person in the age of AI. The speakers were optimistic that despite the enormous challenges of AI, there is hope for a future where humanity can continue to flourish. 

The panel began with insights into the pope’s countercultural vision that human beings are not products to be optimized – rather, humans flourish because of their limitations.

“To put it colloquially, these limitations we have are a feature, not a bug. These inherent limitations lead us to compassion and to trust and to love,” shared Scott Hurd, vice president of leadership development at Catholic Charities USA.

Additionally, the presenters discussed the ethical use of AI and how AI is reshaping many facets of society, such as labor, ecology and even democracy.

They also discussed what implementing Magnifica Humanitas might look like in ministry settings and for everyday Catholics. They emphasized that reflecting on these topics is not opposing progress; rather, it’s an exercise of responsible care for the human family.

The panel members explored what kind of regulations and policies might be needed to defend the rights of workers and uphold environmental standards. They highlighted environmental concerns relating to AI and how listening to the cry of the poor also means listening to the cry of the earth. Currently, AI systems require enormous amounts of energy and water, significantly influencing carbon dioxide emissions and placing heavy demands on our natural resources.

The speakers shared practical tips for moving forward rooted in Pope Leo’s vision to build a civilization of love based on truth, beauty, justice and the common good where human life can flourish.