Magnifica Humanitas Colloquium
Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In response to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, the Dehon Study Center is organizing a three-part colloquium on the theme: “Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Schedule – August 12, 2026
Click here to download a PDF of the schedule and speaker info
8:00-8:45 a.m.
Refreshments
8:45–8:55 a.m.
Prayer and Introduction – Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, Ph.D., DSC Director
9:00–9:55 a.m.
Session 1 – Dr. Khaled Tannir, Senior AI and Big Data Architect, on “What Is Artificial Intelligence? Why Should We Be Concerned—or Not?”
9:55–10:20 a.m.
Q&A
10:20–10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30–11:25 a.m.
Session 2 – Rev. Dr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D., Theologian and AI expert, on “A Catholic Approach to AI: Antiqua et Nova, Magnifica Humanitas, and Five Discernment Frameworks”
11:25–11:50 a.m.
Q&A
11:50–12:00 a.m.
Concluding Remarks
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
Speakers
Dr. Khaled Tannir is an artificial intelligence and data engineering leader based in Montréal, with more than 25 years of experience designing large-scale intelligent systems for major organizations across North America and Europe. He specializes in generative AI, large language models, and retrieval-augmented systems, along with the cloud data platforms that power them — having architected enterprise AI and data solutions for institutions including the National Bank of Canada, Hydro-Québec, BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), and Cirque du Soleil.
Since 2018 he has been a Lecturer at McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies, where he teaches the flagship Data at Scale course to 120–200 professionals each year and built a virtualized learning platform now used by more than 1,000 students. He holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and is the author of three technical books with over 10,000 copies sold.
Throughout his career, Dr. Tannir has been recognized for making complex technologies clear and accessible — bridging engineering, executive strategy, and education to help both technical and non-technical audiences understand the realities and implications of artificial intelligence.
Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D. is a Paulist priest, pastoral theologian, and scholar engaged in the global conversation on artificial intelligence and its implications for faith, Catholic social teaching, and pastoral ministry. He received his doctoral degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and has presented on AI in academic, pastoral, and ecclesial settings, including an invitation to the Vatican in 2024 to present on the prophetic role of the Catholic Church in an age of AI. His work focuses especially on how Catholic theology, ethics, and pastoral practice can help ensure that AI enhances rather than replaces human flourishing.
In 2026, he co-created CatholicFaithAI.org with the Daughters of St. Paul as a digital hub for everyday Catholic engagement with artificial intelligence. He currently participates in the Builders AI Forum, a Vatican initiative that convenes at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he is a member of the Catholic Turing Test working group (https://www.baif.ai/).
Fr. Manalo is currently working on projects that stand at the intersection of Catholic theology, pastoral ministry, and artificial intelligence, with both expected in Winter 2027.
The Catholic Handbook on AI: Promise, Prudence, and Pastoral Wisdom is forthcoming from Liturgical Press. It is being developed as a practical and theological resource for clergy, pastoral leaders, educators, families, and Catholic communities seeking to discern the promises and challenges of artificial intelligence.
He is also writing the introduction to the Paulist Press book edition of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, his encyclical on preserving the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.
Prayer for the Responsible Use of AI
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, in this age of wondrous technology, we humbly come before you seeking your guidance and grace, as we contemplate the marvels of Artificial Intelligence and discern its use for communicating the Gospel.
In the boundless expanse of your wisdom, you have bestowed upon human beings the gift of intellect and ingenuity, allowing us to forge a tool that can enlighten and serve humanity in myriad ways, yet also one that requires our vigilance and moral attentiveness.
Grant us the wisdom to use this power responsibly and never forget the unrepeatable gift of our humanity. While AI may possess great capabilities, it can never replace the human person, made in your image and likeness. Guide all those responsible for advancing AI technologies.
May they be driven by a desire for the good of humanity and never use it to exploit or harm others. Help us, Lord, to discern our use of AI as a tool for evangelization to reach out to those on the spiritual margins, especially those who are far away from your loving embrace. We ask all this through Christ our Master and Teacher. Amen.
Prayer by the Daughters of St. Paul
