St Mary’s University Announces AI and Catholic Social Thought Conference

St Mary’s University has announced a ground-breaking conference on AI and Catholic Social Thought, to be hosted at its Edinburgh base, the Gillis Centre, in September 2025.

Sponsored by Churches, Charities and Local Authorities Investment Management Limited (CCLA) and the Catholic Union, the conference entitled Catholic Social Teaching and AI: Responses to the Ethical Challenges of Emerging Technologies, has issued its call for papers. Through the conference, scholars and professionals will come together to explore the impact of AI as an emerging technology and responses from the Social Doctrine of the Church. The call for papers is now open, and responses are encouraged until May 31^st.

Speaking of the conference, St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Anthony McClaran said, “It is an understatement to say that AI offers many challenges and opportunities. It is essential that, as the technology moves forward and is adapted in more and more fields, that we do not forget the ethical framework in which it should be developed and used. I welcome this conference as an important contribution to understanding both the technical and ethical aspects of AI, and I would like to thank CCLA and the Catholic Union for their generous support.”

CCLA Client Director Celia Waring added, “As a charity investment specialist, CCLA has been exploring the opportunities AI presents but we and many of our clients, especially faith-inspired investors, recognise there are still huge unknowns in terms of risk and potential damage to our global humanity. Taking time to thoughtfully explore the economic, social and spiritual implications of this powerful technology is the right thing to do.”

The two day conference will take place on 3^rd and 4^th September and will involve both public and academic lectures and presentations considering a wide range of issues from the ethics behind AI to the impact on economic or social matters.

Each day will include a keynote speech, shorter presentations, and plenty of time for discussion and debate. This conference promises to bring together professional and acamics in deep reflection and debates on how the Church’s Social Doctrine provides responses for society in engaging with Ai and emerging technology.

Further information on the call for papers and future updates, please visit the conference website.