AI at a crossroads: Safeguarding the human person

In Edmonton this past week, Catholic leaders from Alberta's sectors of education, healthcare, social services, and post-secondary institutions came together with the bishops for the 5th Summit of the Mission Collaborative Initiative (MCI). This year’s summit explored Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a Catholic lens—navigating its philosophical, theological, and practical dimensions.

The Alberta bishops created the MCI in 2018 as a forum for those in leadership roles within Catholic organizations to advise the bishops on shared challenges that could impact the Church’s mission. It also serves to foster collaboration and a unified Catholic response in the public sphere. This initiative is unique in the Church in Canada and can serve as a model of synodal structure and process—one that promotes lay co-responsibility and communal discernment to strengthen the Church’s mission.

Matthew Harvey Sanders & Fr. Michael Baggot, LC - Keynote Speakers at the 5th Annual Mission Collaboration Initiative (MCI) Summit.

This year’s topic on AI was especially relevant to today’s context. We had excellent presenters who not only shared current information but also encouraged reflection on AI in light of Catholic social teaching.
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The first speaker, Mr. Matthew Harvey Sanders, founder of the platform Magisterium AI, continues to collaborate with pontifical universities in Rome to increase access to the patrimony of their literary resources. The second speaker, Fr. Michael Baggot, teaches in Rome and is recognized as an expert on the ethical implications of emerging technologies and the social impact of transhumanism. Mr. Joseph Pedrola, Product Owner – Training at Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), shared practical considerations regarding AI usage.

In Mr. Sanders’ presentation, he emphasized why AI is too important a technology to ignore. He outlined the five levels of AI currently in use or development and explained how rapid advancements have led to exponential growth in capability and affordability. He pointed out that white-collar jobs are almost certain to be affected—trends already visible in business sectors. Quoting Elon Musk, he noted: “In a benign scenario, probably none of us will have a job.”

One especially noteworthy point was a recent survey highlighting changes in how individuals use AI. From 2024 to 2025, the top three uses were: as therapy for loneliness (often substituting transhumanist relationships for real human encounters), organizing one’s life, and searching for meaning and purpose. He described differing views on AI's impact—ranging from "doomers" to "boomers"—a contrast between nihilism and a hopeful vision in which humans seek fulfillment in God. He concluded that the Church is uniquely positioned to offer this vision of hope and provide an “off-ramp” for those seeking truly human encounters rooted in meaning and faith.

Fr. Baggot stressed that human beings must not be defined by technology. He called for ethical “guardrails” for emerging technologies and emphasized that the Church excels at fostering interpersonal relationships and communion—offering an antidote to the epidemics of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. He reminded us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, which is an image of communion. Where this communion is lacking, people often turn to inadequate substitutes. Quoting C.S. Lewis, he said, “The holiest reality next to the Blessed Sacrament is our neighbour.” Human capacities for empathy, compassion, and challenge enable us to flourish as beings made in God’s image.
All presenters agreed that we are at an "existential opportunity" and that the Church must advocate for economic, moral, and social safeguards to address the negative effects of AI on individuals and society. They also recognized the potential for “digital AI enrichment” in fields such as healthcare, education, social services, and within the Church. However, this enrichment must be guided by the “analog touch” of respect, compassion, and genuine human support.

Participants at the summit found it a valuable learning experience. Dialogue and table discussions, structured around “Conversation in the Spirit,” surfaced significant insights from Catholic leaders and young adults alike. These insights are being compiled and will be presented to the Alberta bishops for further discernment and response. In summary, the bishops received the following message:

1. Keep the conversation going
2. We are in a revolutionary epoch of change
3. The Church has something to offer
4. The Church’s teaching on Christian anthropology is foundational
5. Catholic institutions actively share in the Church’s mission and support the Alberta bishops

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​The conversation on AI will continue this fall at St. Mary’s University in Calgary, where the diocese will host a joint conference titled What Catholics Should Know About AI (Oct 17-18, St. Mary's University, Calgary). This is too important a topic to miss or ignore.

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Written by Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary

June 2, 2025

​Photos during MCI Summit: Archdiocese of Edmonton