The Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication (ARC) at St. John's University in Bangkok, Thailand, will host an international online roundtable on July 3 to examine Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which focuses on protecting human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
The two-hour program, titled "Magnifica Humanitas: Reactions, Reflections, and Directions," will bring together Catholic scholars, communication specialists, and media practitioners from Asia and Latin America to discuss the document's pastoral, ethical, and social implications.
The discussion will begin at 1:00 p.m. Rome time, 6:00 p.m. in Bangkok, 7:00 p.m. in Manila and Singapore, 4:30 p.m. in New Delhi, and 9:00 p.m. in Sydney.
According to ARC Executive Director Fr. Anthony Le Duc, SVD, the roundtable is intended to provide an initial forum for scholarly engagement with the pope's first encyclical addressing artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity.
Each panelist will deliver a 15-minute presentation guided by three questions: the document's principal themes, its potential influence on the future direction of technological development, and how the Church at different levels can implement its teachings. The presentations will be followed by an open discussion and question-and-answer session.
The panel includes Dr. Peter Rachada Monthienvichienchai, Secretary General of SIGNIS and Executive Director of LiCAS News in Thailand; Dr. Albertina Navas of Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo in Chiclayo, northwestern Peru; Rev. Dr. Kasmir Nema, SVD, Communication Coordinator of the Society of the Divine Word in Rome, Italy; and Rev. Dr. Sebastian Periannan of Annai Vailankanni Arts and Science College in Tamil Nadu, southern India.
Organizers said the conversation aims to examine the encyclical's theological and pastoral vision while exploring its practical implications for the Church's engagement with rapidly advancing digital technologies.
ARC described the roundtable as an opportunity to begin a broader global conversation on Pope Leo XIV's call to ensure that technological innovation serves the human person and the common good.
The online event is open to the public, and no prior registration is required. Participants may join through the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/ARCMHumanitas
