Anticipating the 58th World Social Communications Day, which coincided with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord in the Philippines, the Society of St. Paul (SSP) and the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP), through their apostolic arms ST PAULS and Paulines Publishing, organized a convention reflecting on the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards Fully Human Communication.” The event was hosted by the Daughters of St. Paul and attended by students, parish social communications ministers, religious, seminarians, and social-pastoral communicators.
The day commenced with a soul-stirring worship session led by “The Feast QC,” setting the tone for the proceedings ahead. This was followed by the enthronement of the Word of God, imbuing the gathering with a distinctive Pauline spirit.
Sr. Delia Abian, the Provincial Superior of the Philippines-Malaysia-Papua New Guinea-Thailand Province of the Daughters of St. Paul, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the theme of this year's celebration. She underscored the importance of AI in enhancing communication while reminding attendees of the intrinsic role of the human heart in discerning truth and fostering meaningful connections.
Fr. Edward Dantis, SSP engaged the crowd with an interactive session, prompting participants to voice their expectations for the day. The responses echoed a keen interest in exploring the intersection of AI and human communication, reflecting a thirst for knowledge and insight.
The morning session’s highlight was the plenary talk by Dr. Dominic Ligot, a prominent advocate for data literacy and AI ethics. Dr. Ligot delved into the realm of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), shedding light on its applications and implications for communication. From content creation to research and fact-checking, GenAI promises to revolutionize various aspects of communication, offering both opportunities and challenges.
The afternoon featured an engaging session of “Sambuhay Interaktib,” where Fr. Albert Garong, Fr. Angelo Paolo Asprer, and Fr. Khris Llacer of SSP, and Sr. Rose Agtarap of FSP led discussions on the ethical use of AI. Participants shared personal experiences related to AI and faith, delving into the promises and pitfalls of technology in the realm of communication.
Later in the afternoon, the “Playback Theater” composed of SSP seminarians under the tutelage of Fr. Edward Dantis reenacted the stories and emotions shared by participants. Through this improvisational theater, attendees explored the profound connections between AI, faith, and personal experiences.
As the day drew to a close, Fr. Norman Melchor R. Peña, SSP offered a synthesis of the day’s proceedings, emphasizing the need for holistic formation in embracing technology responsibly. The event culminated with the Eucharistic celebration presided by SSP Provincial Superior Fr. Maro Sobrejuanite. In his homily, Fr. Mario underscored the essence of love and communion in communication, echoing the Pope's call for wisdom and humanity in our interactions. The closing rite was the commissioning of the mission crosses, which participants were to wear to remind them to be communicators of the Word not only in words but in deeds.
