Conference Review: Ethics of the Use of Artificial Intelligence

3 june 2026

Sister Hanan Eshoa Shaba reflects on the conference held on 15 December 2025 on Artificial Intelligence, which took place via Zoom with 24 Arabic-speaking students from Domuni. The conference provided an opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the ethics of artificial intelligence within academic, pastoral, and theological contexts.

Sr. Hanan: Academic and Pastoral Commitment

A member of the Daughters of Mary of the Chaldeans and a lecturer at Domuni since 2018, Sr. Hanan works primarily in the field of pastoral theology. She accompanies students at all levels, many of whom are priests, religious brothers and sisters, or lay people actively engaged in the mission of the Church.

Her experience in distance education has led her to observe that students already make extensive use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. It therefore became essential to address not only the technical aspects of these tools but, more importantly, their ethical implications.

A Conference Based on the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

The conference was grounded in a recent document issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Antiqua et Nova, published by the Vatican in 2025, which offers a structured reflection on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

The presentation was organised in two parts: the scientific dimension, presented by Dr. Ameer Jaje, O.P., and the pastoral dimension, developed by Sr. Hanan.

The document under discussion, consisting of 120 points, surprised many students, who had not expected such a comprehensive ecclesial reflection on the subject. While many were familiar with occasional statements made by the Pope or other Church authorities, they were unaware of the existence of such a systematic and detailed text.

The Centrality of the Human Person

At the heart of the message lies a fundamental principle: the centrality of the human person.

Within the Christian tradition, the human person—endowed with dignity and conscience—remains the focal point of all educational and pastoral activity. Artificial intelligence must never replace human intelligence or moral responsibility; rather, it should serve and support them.

Sr. Hanan emphasised several essential points:

Artificial Intelligence is a tool, not an authority.

Rapid access to information cannot replace study or scientific research.

Values, ethical principles, and academic rigour remain indispensable.

Maturity and critical awareness must accompany the use of modern technologies.

Educating Responsible Researchers

The objective is not merely to train students who are capable of using AI, but to form responsible researchers who can distinguish between ready-made answers and genuine inquiry, critically analyse generated content, understand algorithms, and attribute meaningful purpose to the use of technological tools.

In a context where AI can provide instant responses—and, through voice-based technologies, even enable access to information without the ability to read or write—the risk is the illusion that knowledge can be acquired without intellectual effort. One of the conference’s primary aims was precisely to challenge and correct this misconception.

A Highly Positive Reception

The students demonstrated considerable interest throughout the event. Discussions were dynamic, interactive, and intellectually enriching. Many participants expressed the wish that this topic should not remain confined to a single conference but should become a full academic subject, a future area of specialisation, or even a degree programme adapted to contemporary challenges.

This response confirms that both the academic and pastoral worlds perceive a growing need for structured guidance in addressing technological transformations.

Towards Education Adapted to Our Time

For Sr. Hanan, artificial intelligence should be integrated into educational programmes in a methodical and scientific manner, without rigidity but with discernment.

Knowledge is indispensable. However, if it is neither understood nor mastered, it risks dominating human beings rather than serving them. The challenge is therefore clear:

To keep the human person at the centre, to cultivate critical awareness, and to use artificial intelligence as an instrument in the service of the common good.

This conference represents a starting point. It opens the way for the academic and pastoral deepening that is necessary to accompany the transformations of our era while safeguarding the dignity and responsibility of the human person.

Those wishing to explore this topic further are invited to participate in the Summer School taking place from 6 to 10 July in Tours, where faculty members will have the opportunity to work in particular on the uses of artificial intelligence in higher education.