Scranton Faculty and Staff Examine Papal Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

A diverse collective of University of Scranton faculty and staff recently gathered to discuss the increasing influence of artificial intelligence, with Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical letter as a focal point.

The Jesuit Center at the University led a reading group examining “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence” on Aug. 28. The encyclical, published in May 2026, is divided into five chapters and includes the pope’s appeal for accountability in the development process of AI.

According to Tim Dulle Jr., Ph.D., executive director of the Jesuit Center, 44 faculty and staff signed up for the reading with an additional waiting list. Because of the high demand, participants were split into separate discussion groups held simultaneously in Brennan Hall’s Casey Conference Room and the Slattery Center. Both groups will meet again on Sept. 14.

The encyclical and its contents were of particular interest to the Jesuit Center, whose mission is to assist the University “in keeping its Catholic and Jesuit character at the center of the educational enterprise.”

“There was so much energy around the first American pope, so, when they were releasing 'Magnifica humanitas,' I thought, ‘We have to do something on this. This is right in our wheelhouse,’” Dr. Dulle said. “We are dealing with what it means to be people in the age of AI. We are trying to teach students to be responsible in the age of AI.”

Members in attendance at Brennan Hall began by watching a short video accompanying the letter’s release, which encouraged viewers to “break the chains of digital slavery.” They reflected on the first three chapters of the document with the campus community in mind, pointing out students and faculty have expressed varying viewpoints on the applications and usefulness of AI.

Some emphasized the importance of critical thinking, and expressed concern the pope's outline didn't address its decline in greater detail. Others pondered whether further development of AI could take away the dignity of the individual and create wider technological divides within communities.

“I thought it was really useful to contextualize these current technological changes with Catholic social teaching, and how people and faculty at a Jesuit university should think about that and incorporate it into our everyday work,” said Adam Pratt, Ph.D., chair of the History Department.

Dr. Dulle ultimately characterizes the encyclical as a conversation starter more than a full-on critique or attack on AI, but it leaves plenty of room for debate and engagement. The letter includes multiple uses of words such as “criteria” and “foundations,” suggesting the pope is encouraging wider dialogue.

“The news headlines really framed this as the pope vs. big tech,” Dr. Dulle said. “And I think to frame it like that says more about what people think about big tech than it does about the encyclical.”

Visit the Jesuit Center homepage to learn more about its programs and upcoming events.