Human Dignity in the Age of AI: Pope Leo's Magnifica Humanitas in Schools

On 15 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, "the grandeur of humanity." It runs to 245 paragraphs and speaks directly to how we live with artificial intelligence. In this Fambirai webinar, recorded on 11 June 2026, Julianne Hickey and Michael Stewart unpack what the document means for Catholic schools. The session moves from its theology to practical implications for boards, principals and teachers, and closes with the call to become artisans of hope. You do not need to have read all 245 paragraphs to follow along. Whether you are a board member, principal, diocesan staff member or teacher, this session is for you. What we cover: The opening choice between a new Tower of Babel and the city where God and humanity dwell together. Where the encyclical sits in Catholic social teaching, from Rerum Novarum to now. Why technology is never neutral. How to protect young people and the value of struggle. And concrete questions for governance, school culture and the classroom. Chapters 0:00 Welcome and karakia 4:55 Meet your presenters 7:50 One word: AI and schools 9:36 What this session covers 10:54 What Magnifica Humanitas is 12:18 The opening choice: Tower of Babel or the city of God 13:01 The structure and arc of the encyclical 16:50 Word cloud: what sits at the heart 18:28 Where it sits in Catholic tradition 21:36 The core argument: dehumanisation in new clothes 22:39 Defining AI, and what it is not 24:38 The world the document speaks into 26:46 Technology is never neutral 28:28 Protecting young people and the value of struggle 30:45 Implications for education: the Education Alliance 32:22 For boards: governance questions 35:16 For principals: culture and leadership 37:02 For teachers: you are irreplaceable 40:06 Artisans of hope: what must not be lost 42:01 The call to disarm AI 46:14 Disarming our words 47:13 Ending with the Magnificat 49:13 Questions and AI training options About the presenters Julianne Hickey (Jules) works at the intersection of AI, ethics and human-centred leadership. Michael Stewart is a teacher and AI educator with around 25 years in education. Both work with Fambirai, helping schools learn when and how AI should be used. About Fambirai Fambirai helps Catholic and other school communities use AI wisely, grounded in human dignity and Catholic social teaching. We run online workshops and a self-paced course for teachers, plus tailored PD for schools. Get in touch for AI training for yourself or your school: www.fambirai.com #MagnificaHumanitas #AIinEducation #CatholicEducation