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Artificial Intelligence in Catholic Education: Embracing the Rome Call for AI Ethics

Writer's picture: Justin St PierreJustin St Pierre

As Catholic educators navigate the AI revolution, we find guidance in the Rome Call for AI Ethics - a landmark collaboration between the Catholic Church, technology leaders, and governments. This framework, initiated by the Pontifical Academy for Life, offers us crucial perspectives on developing AI that serves humanity while respecting human dignity.


Rome Call

Core Impact Areas: Questions for Reflection


Ethics and Human Dignity

* How do we ensure AI development in education upholds the Rome Call's fundamental principle that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights"?

* What does it mean to maintain human centrality in an AI-enhanced learning environment?

* How do we balance innovation with the protection of human dignity?


Education for the Future

* How can we fulfill the Rome Call's vision of "transforming the world through innovation of AI" while preparing younger generations?

* What role should students play in shaping AI implementation in their education?

* How do we ensure AI serves as a tool for enhancement rather than replacement?


Rights and Protection

* How do we protect the vulnerable in our educational communities as AI adoption accelerates?

* What safeguards need to be in place to protect students and teachers?

* How do we ensure AI serves the common good in Catholic education?


Pontifical Academy for Life

The Six Principles in Practice: Key Questions


1. Transparency

* How do we make AI systems understandable to all stakeholders - students, teachers, and parents?

* What level of transparency should we require from AI tools used in Catholic education?

* How do we explain AI decisions that affect student learning?


2. Inclusion

* How do we ensure AI tools serve ALL students equally?

* What measures prevent AI from creating or reinforcing educational inequities?

* How do we make AI accessibility a priority in Catholic education?


3. Accountability

* Who bears responsibility for AI-driven decisions in our schools?

* How do we establish clear lines of accountability for AI use?

* What oversight structures should be in place?


4. Impartiality

* How do we identify and address potential biases in educational AI systems?

* What processes should we implement to regularly assess AI fairness?

* How do we ensure diverse perspectives in AI development and deployment?


5. Reliability

* What standards should we set for AI reliability in educational contexts?

* How do we verify AI systems meet our educational and ethical requirements?

* What backup systems need to be in place?


6. Security and Privacy

* How do we protect student data while leveraging AI benefits?

* What privacy standards should we require from AI providers?

* How do we balance data collection for personalised learning with privacy rights?


Moving Forward Together

The Rome Call reminds us that AI development must serve "humanity as a whole" rather than just pursue "greater profit or the gradual replacement of people." In Catholic education, this means asking:

* How do we ensure AI enhances rather than replaces human relationships in education?

* What governance structures will help us maintain ethical AI use?

* How do we build an AI-enabled future that remains true to our Catholic values?


Together, we can ensure AI serves our mission of fostering human flourishing through education.

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Learn more about the Rome Call

Access CNA’s Generative AI Brief

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