AI & Catholicism Talk Series
Helping Catholic educators, leaders, and families navigate technology and AI through the lens of faith—cultivating digital discipleship so moral and spiritual formation keeps pace with digital literacy.
What Is This Series?
While public technology frameworks often focus on safety and ethics alone, our talks extend those goals by rooting digital use in Catholic Social Teaching and the inherent dignity of the human person. Each talk is built on the Catholic Companion Framework for Technology and Innovation.
Faith-Centered
Every lesson is anchored in Catholic theology, Scripture, and Church teaching—not just secular ethics.
Age-Appropriate
Content is tailored to six developmental stages from Pre-K through Higher Education.
Practical & Actionable
Students leave with concrete habits and goals—not just abstract ideas about technology.
The Five Anchor Strands
Five theological themes guide how students interact with and understand technology at every level.
Imago Dei
Created in God's ImageExplores the sacredness of humanity in an age of machine learning, teaching students that human beings possess a soul, reason, and a capacity for love that no technology can replicate.
Before K
Children learn they are special and loved by God—understanding the difference between people and machines because people have feelings and can love.
K–2
Students learn to treat others with respect both online and offline because of their God-given dignity.
3–5
Learners distinguish between human abilities and AI, acknowledging that AI is just a tool without a body, soul, or freedom.
6–8
Adolescents discuss how patterns of tech use influence their ability to learn, focus, and develop authentic relationships.
9–12
High schoolers critically analyze how technologies like social scoring or biometrics can challenge human dignity.
Higher Ed
College students engage in advanced philosophical discussions on transhumanism, embodiment, and machine autonomy.
Co-Creation & Stewardship
Using Your GiftsEmphasizes that human creativity is a reflection of God and encourages students to design and use technology to serve the common good and care for creation.
Before K
Young learners practice sharing digital tools and begin creating simple projects with guidance.
K–2
Students discover that creating simple digital projects can help others and reflect God's creativity.
3–5
Learners evaluate their digital habits to see how screen time affects attention and relationships.
6–8
Students learn to discern truthful tech use by considering media reliability and responsible creation.
9–12
High schoolers evaluate digital systems using Catholic Social Teaching principles and design for the common good.
Higher Ed
Young adults discern how their vocational gifts and STEM skills can serve the common good in their careers.
Moral Conscience & Discernment
IntegrityGuides students to weigh their online choices and digital actions against truth and justice, relying on faith and virtues to navigate algorithms and digital pressures.
Before K
Children begin to recognize that choices have consequences—even small digital ones.
K–2
Students practice making truthful choices without reminders, building a foundation of honesty.
3–5
Learners begin to examine their conscience regarding their digital behavior and online interactions.
6–8
Adolescents learn to examine global tech inequalities and practice ethical discernment online.
9–12
Students engage in theological reflection on complex tech dilemmas like deepfakes and algorithmic bias.
Higher Ed
Young adults lead with moral agency in professional lives, integrating faith and reason into innovation.
Communion & Solidarity
Real ConnectionsFocuses on using digital spaces to build authentic relationships, promote equity, and amplify marginalized voices, rather than using platforms to isolate or divide.
Before K
Children practice sharing digital tools and being kind to others in shared digital experiences.
K–2
Students participate in cooperative digital activities that build face-to-face community.
3–5
Learners explore how unequal tech access leaves people out and consider how to include everyone.
6–8
Students examine global tech inequalities and advocate for those on the margins of the digital world.
9–12
High schoolers evaluate how digital platforms can promote solidarity or division, applying CST principles.
Higher Ed
College students advocate for digital equity and lead community-building initiatives through technology.
Wonder, Mystery & Awe
UnpluggingReminds students that some truths cannot be coded or measured, inviting them to practice silence, prayer, and humility in a noisy digital world.
Before K
Young children enjoy moments of quiet and wonder at the beauty of God's creation without screens.
K–2
Students learn that faith and science both reveal God's truth and participate in short moments of quiet.
3–5
Learners reflect on how screen time affects their attention and practice intentional tech-free moments.
6–8
Adolescents practice setting boundaries around screen time to preserve space for prayer and connections.
9–12
High schoolers commit to practices like digital fasting to restore interior peace and encounter mystery.
Higher Ed
Young adults integrate contemplative practice with digital life, ensuring innovation is guided by virtue.
Who Is This For?
The framework and talks are designed for multiple audiences within the Catholic community.
Educators
Integrate theological goals into existing lesson plans without needing to be technical experts.
School Leaders
Establish mission-centered technology policies, shape schoolwide vision, and evaluate new digital tools through Catholic values.
Parents & Families
Use the framework as a shared language and conversation starter to balance screen time and navigate online behavior at home.
Ministry Leaders
Apply the goals to youth groups, retreats, and faith formation to ensure a consistent message connecting online lives with faith.
Free Resources for Catholic Educators
We're building a library of free, downloadable materials designed to help Catholic educators integrate conversations about technology, AI, and digital discipleship into their classrooms and ministries.
Posters
Classroom-ready posters that reinforce key themes from the five anchor strands.
Worksheets
Age-appropriate activities and reflection sheets for students across all grade levels.
Lesson Plans
Ready-to-use lesson plans aligned with the Catholic Companion Framework.
& More
Discussion guides, prayer prompts, parent handouts, and other supplementary materials.
We're actively developing these resources and will be adding new materials on a regular basis. Bookmark this page and check back periodically to see what's new.
Have a specific need? We welcome requests from educators and ministry leaders. If there's a particular resource that would help your classroom or parish, let us know and we'll do our best to create it.
Request a ResourceBring This Talk to Your Community
Whether you're a parish youth director, school principal, or campus minister—we'll bring an engaging, faith-filled presentation to your group. Free of charge.