In this episode of Ethics on Call, Dan and Tom examine Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, exploring its ethical vision for artificial intelligence and its implications for Catholic healthcare.
In this episode of Ethics on Call, Dan and Tom examine Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, exploring its ethical vision for artificial intelligence and its implications for Catholic healthcare. Through interviews with theologian Nichole Flores, Ph.D. (Associate Professor Religious Studies at the University of Virginia) and AI leader Byron Yount, Ph.D. (Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer and VP of Transformation Operations at Mercy), the conversation highlights key themes such as the dignity of human work, the risks of data exploitation, and the moral responsibility to prioritize the vulnerable.
The episode situates AI within the broader tradition of Catholic social teaching, challenging listeners to move beyond purely technical questions and engage deeper concerns about human flourishing, solidarity, and the common good. With practical insights and theological depth, this discussion invites healthcare leaders and practitioners to discern how AI can enhance, not diminish, the human person and the healing mission at the heart of Catholic healthcare.
Links to the text of the encyclical and information about our guests can be found here: