Reflections on Magnifica Humanitas: Safeguarding the Human Person in the Age of AI

In this presentation, I reflect on major themes raised in Pope Leo’s encyclical, paying close attention to the Church’s Social Teaching, which is carefully woven throughout the text. We will discuss the ubiquity of AI as well as the promises and concerns brought to the fore by its rapid integration. We will also think about human longing, the kind of “progress” that we ought to pursue, and what it is about humanhood (if anything) that we should strive to preserve at all costs.

Cory Andrew Labrecque, PhD, is a professor of bioethics and theological ethics, and holder of the research chair in religion, spirituality, and health care at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at Université Laval in Quebec City, where he served as vice-dean from 2020 to 2026. Cory earned a BSc in anatomy and cell biology, an MA in religious studies specializing in bioethics, and a PhD in religious ethics at McGill. Cory’s teaching and research explore how the Abrahamic religions—focusing on the Roman Catholic tradition—approach ethical issues in medicine (especially at the end of life), biotechnology (with an interest in AI), and the environment. Cory is a corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which counsels the Vatican on ethical issues in medicine, biotechnology, and the environment; he is also a member of the AI Research Group for the Center for Digital Culture and the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See. Cory is past president of the Canadian Bioethics Society, vice-president of the National Committee for Ethics and Aging (in Quebec), and is co-chair (appointed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) of the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group of the Canadian Council of Churches.