Last Friday, the Observatory on Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies (OIANT) at UIC Barcelona held a session dedicated to analysing Magnifica Humanitas, the first encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIV. The lecture, delivered by Mgr Marc Teixidor, University chaplain and holder of a PhD in Canon Law, brought together members of the university community to analyse the key arguments of the text and reflect on its relevance in today’s context.

The activity is part of a series organised by the OIANT to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethical, social and cultural challenges posed by technological development. In the event’s opening address, Dr Frederic Marimon, director of the Observatory, highlighted the relevance of an encyclical that addresses the challenges of artificial intelligence through reflection on the human person and the common good. As he noted, the document presents a long-term perspective on current technological transformations and their consequences for society.

During his address, Mgr Teixidor explained that artificial intelligence features prominently in the text, although more as a springboard for a broader and more diverse thematic reflection than as its central focus. In this regard, he affirmed that the Pope’s text cautions against viewing technology as neutral, stressing instead the need to analyse the values, interests and human viewpoints behind its design and development.

Among the topics covered in the document, the speaker outlined the Pope’s call to maintain a critical stance in the face of rapidly advancing technological processes and reasserted the importance of human discernment. He also noted Leo XIV’s concerns about the impact of certain digital tools on social polarisation, and the need to promote transparency and the pursuit of truth in communication environments.

The lecture also explored some of the fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching present in the document, such as human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, social justice and integral human development. Teixidor pointed out that one of the risks referred to by the Pope is that human rights become reduced to theoretical constructs, without consideration for their underlying foundation.

The session also devoted particular attention to the analysis of posthumanism and transhumanism, two contemporary schools of thought referenced in the encyclical. With regards to the latter, Teixidor highlighted Leo XIV’s reflection on the inherent limits of the human condition and the tendency to view them solely as obstacles to be overcome. “Human beings must make peace with limitation and finitude,” the speaker argued, recalling that, from a Christian perspective, human fulfilment is reached not despite vulnerability, but often because of it.

The session concluded with a reflection on other aspects addressed in Magnifica Humanitas, such as democracy, education, work, freedom, disinformation and the development of a culture of truth. The discussion also touched upon issues such as the rejection of the just war theory and the critical acknowledgement of historical episodes related to slavery. It also emphasised the central role of the Incarnation of the Word, the Son of God, as the culmination of history, with Christ’s magnificent humanity illuminating and dignifying our own.

The initiative will continue on 30 June with the round table “AI and Humanism: Challenges and Opportunities After the Encyclical”, featuring Pep Martorell, an expert in technological strategy, supercomputing and artificial intelligence, and Dr Domènec Melé, a priest and holder of a PhD in Industrial Engineering. The discussion, moderated by Esther Jiménez, vice-rector for Students and Sustainability at UIC Barcelona, will provide an opportunity to further explore some of the issues raised during the series and debate their application in human, social and technological contexts.