New Frontier-Cultivating Discipleship in an AI-Driven World.pdf

In an era increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence, Catholic educators face the unique challenge and opportunity of integrating technology while remaining steadfast in their mission to form missionary disciples. This keynote will explore how the timeless principles of Christian discipleship—centered on human dignity, truth, and the common good—can guide our approach to AI. Discover practical strategies and ethical considerations for leveraging AI as a powerful tool for evangelization and integral human formation, ensuring that technology serves to deepen faith, foster critical thinking, and prepare students to live as Christ's witnesses in a rapidly evolving world.

1. The New Frontier:
Cultivating Discipleship in an
AI-Driven World
Sr Nancy Usselmann, FSP
INSPIRE’25 - Diocese of Allentown
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind…” Rm 12:2
DOWNLOAD SLIDES
https://www.mentimeter.com/app/
presentation/
ald4nj5gd8x5qon2159u67qgy2sspp7
5/edit?question=721qndp8x6kn

2. NUNS AND AI

3. What does
discipleship look like
in a world shaped by
algorithms?
“A new kind of human being must take
shape, endowed with a deeper spirituality
and new freedom and interiority.”
—Fr. Romano Guardini

4. WHAT IS AI?
GENERAL AI
GENERATIVE AI
NARROW AI

5. HOW AI IS CHANGING THE WORLD `

6. AI IN COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

7. Human vs AI
AI generates, human beings create.
“In the case of humans, intelligence is a
faculty that pertains to the person in his or
her entirety, whereas in the context of AI,
“intelligence” is understood functionally,
often with the presumption that the activities
characteristic of the human mind can be
broken down into digitized steps that
machines can replicate.”
—Antiqua et Nova, no. 10
SELF-AWARENESS MORAL AGENCY
SELF-EXPRESSION

8. A CATHOLIC LENS ON AI
HUMAN DIGNITY
COMMON GOOD
TRUTH
ETHICS
“Only by adopting a spiritual way of viewing reality, only by recovering a wisdom of the heart, can we confront and
interpret the newness of our time.” —Pope Francis, 58th World Communications Day, 2024

9. PROMISE OR PERIL?
It’s a double-edged sword
Efficiency Personalization
Global
Connectivity
Misinformation Depersonalization Ethical Confusion
“Artificial intelligence must serve humanity and the integral development of every person.” —Pope Francis
HUMAN DIGNITY MORAL DISCERNMENTSPIRITUAL CHALLENGE

10. Discipleship in a
Digital World
What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ
in an AI-driven world?
FOLLOW CHRIST
DISCERN TRUTH
CREATE CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER

11. Classroom Connection
ENCOURAGE CREATIVE THEOLOGICAL
REFLECTION / MEDIA SPIRITUALITY
TEACH MEDIA MINDFULNESS
FOSTER EMPATHY

12. TEACH MEDIA MINDFULNESS
“It is urgent
to provide
an
education
on the
media
because
what is at
stake is a
form of
digital
illiteracy.”
—Directory for
Catechesis, no. 368

13. ENCOURAGE CREATIVE
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
“Only the human person can be morally
responsible, and the challenges of a
technological society are ultimately
spiritual in nature. Therefore, facing those
challenges ‘demands an intensification of
spirituality.’”
—Antiqua et Nova, no. 111
Media Spirituality
•Write a modern-day Psalm together using AI
•vibe code a prayer reminder in the classroom
•Ask AI how to be media mindful in doing assignments
•Talk about questions surrounding AI generated religious art
•Pray together about AI developments
•Write prayers with support from AI about various media
•Integrate Catholic ethics into AI literacy

14. MEDIA SPIRITUALITY
ENGAGE WITH MEDIA
THOUGHTFULLY
KNOW WHEN TO TAKE A
BREAK

15. FOSTER EMPATHY
duolingo.com
COLLABORATION
LEARN ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES
padlet.com
ENGAGE GLOBALLY
globalaidebates.org

16. Educators as
Evangelizers
Teachers as Witnesses in the Age of AI
“Instead of training young people how to
amass information and generate quick
response, education should encourage
‘the responsible use of freedom to face
issues with good sense and intelligence.’”
—Antiqua et Nova, no. 82
Make the Gospel lived

17. Digital Evangelization
“In the process of proclaiming
the Gospel, the real question is
not how to use the new
technologies to evangelize, but
how to become an evangelizing
presence on the digital
continent.”
—Directory for Catechesis, no. 371
Creative Engagement
•Gospel storytelling, prayer resources, and
faith formation
•Use MagisteriumAI or Truthly
•Express beauty and truth through media
•Promote “AI Reflection Journals”
Institutional Witness
•Model ethical AI use policies
•Emphasize virtue formation

18. Guiding Questions for Educators
“Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank ‘among the
marvelous things’ which God has placed at our disposal to discover,
to use and to make known the truth.” —St John Paul II, Rapid Development, no. 4
Does this particular use of this technology honor
the dignity of the human person?
Does it foster authentic encounter and community?
Does it lead students closer to the beauty,
truth and goodness of Christ?
BEMEDIAMINDFUL.ORG
(Media Mindfulness Resources)