Last night in the setting of a historic 16th-century library in the heart of Rome, the University of Notre Dame Australia hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion titled "How to 'cultivate the intellect' in the Age of AI – a dialogue with St John Henry Newman."
As part of the Jubilee of the World of Education, the event also coincided with the announcement of St John Henry Newman being declared a Doctor of the Church, adding profound significance to the evening's theme.
Held in the Salone Borromini of the Biblioteca Vallicelliana, once a vibrant hub for students and scholars, the venue served as a symbolic backdrop for a conversation on how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping education, learning and the pursuit of wisdom.
The panel was hosted in collaboration with the Australian Embassy to the Holy See. The discussion brought together an esteemed group of international scholars and thought leaders:
- Fr George Bowen, The London Oratory
- Professor Andrew Meszaros, St. John Henry Newman Chair, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
- Sr Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P., Professore Straordinaria of Theology, Angelicum
- Ms Cristina Erazurriz Tortorelli, Communications Vice President, Universidad de los Andes, Chile
- Dr Victoria Lorrimar, Research Fellow, The University of Notre Dame Australia
The panel was moderated by Colm Flynn, Vatican correspondent and broadcaster for EWTN, BBC World, and RTÉ Ireland. Speaking live from the venue on Sky News, Flynn remarked, "For some of our younger viewers, this is called a library… The Australians are taking over this library right in the centre of Rome, hosting a conference on Artificial Intelligence. The difference between knowledge and wisdom—AI doesn't have a soul."
The evening's discussions explored the intersection of technological innovation and Newman's enduring philosophy of education. Newman believed that true intellectual formation must go beyond academic achievement to include the development of character, virtue, and spirit. In today's AI-driven world, where students often turn to tools like ChatGPT for instant answers, the panel questioned how universities can continue to foster deep learning, critical thinking, and moral discernment.
Dr Victoria Lorrimar, representing UNDA, contributed insights on how Catholic universities can respond to the challenges of AI while remaining faithful to their mission of holistic education.
The event was a resounding success, drawing a diverse audience and sparking rich debate on the future of education, the role of universities, and the enduring relevance of Newman's vision. It reaffirmed Notre Dame's commitment to leading global conversations on ethics, intellect, and human flourishing in the digital age.
Watch Colm Flynn's live interview on Sky News.
