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.”