Magnificent Humanity: What the Pope Wants the Tech Industry to Hear
About this Event
What are we hoping to build with AI? What is our end goal for the people using it? And what will that entail for human dignity, labour, democracy, and the common good?
In May 2026, Pope Leo XIV published Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity") — the first papal encyclical on artificial intelligence, and the Vatican's most significant statement yet on the technology reshaping our working lives. Presented by the Pope in person alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, it has been debated across industries and sectors ever since.
This event is for people of all faiths and none. An encyclical is the Catholic Church's most formal kind of teaching document — but this was pitched outward, and much of the loudest engagement has come from beyond the Church. NPR reported that the Pope warned AI "risks widening inequality, weakening democracy and undermining what it means to be human." The Guardian called it "a humanity-first message the secular world can get behind." The Brookings Institution said the Church had "planted a flag," setting a moral baseline for AI centred on human dignity. These are the questions of everyone building the future.
Join academics Dr Amy Daughton (University of Birmingham) and Dr Samuel Tranter (University of Oxford), along with voices from the Leeds tech scene including Shirley Stackhouse (Stackhouse Leadership), for a panel discussion at Holy Trinity Boar Lane exploring what the pope has to say about the risks and opportunities of technology to the people building the future.
Whether you write code, lead a product team, work in data or design, or are simply curious about where AI is taking us, this is a chance to step back from the sprint cycle and ask the bigger questions. As TechCrunch put it, "AI is the hook" — the deeper concerns are older ones, about work, power and who benefits. Come and think them through over your lunch hour, in one of the most beautiful spaces in Leeds.
The panel
- Dr Amy Daughton — University of Birmingham
- Dr Samuel Tranter — University of Oxford
- Shirley Stackhouse — Stackhouse Leadership
- Rev Josh Lees (chair) — Holy Trinity Boar Lane
Running order
- 12:15pm — Doors open
- 12:30pm — Welcome and panel discussion
- 1:10pm — Audience Q&A
- 1:30pm — Close
Good to know
Bring your lunch. This is a lunch-hour event — you're very welcome to eat during the discussion.
Drinks provided. A selection of complimentary hot and cold drinks will be provided upon arrival.
Getting there. Holy Trinity is on Boar Lane, a short walk from Leeds train station, directly opposite the Trinity Leeds shopping centre.
Accessibility. Step-free access details and accessible toilet.
Questions? Contact [email protected] for more information.
Agenda
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Doors open
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:10 PM
Welcome and panel discussion
🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:30 PM
Audience Q&A
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
