Kim Daniels, director of Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, has been appointed to serve as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) task force on preserving human dignity in the age of AI. The appointment was announced on October 16 by the USCCB.

The new task force was established by the U.S. bishops in response to Pope Leo's call in Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity") to "safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed on us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace."

According to the USCCB, the task force will work to promote "policies and practices that protect human dignity, religious liberty, democratic institutions, workers, families, and vulnerable populations."

The task force is chaired by Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose, California, along with seven other prelates from throughout the country. Daniels is one of only three lay members named as a consultant to the new effort.

Daniels has served as the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life since 2023. From 2016-2026, she served as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, and in the 2021-24 Synod on Synodality as an expert participant. She was also the coordinator of one of the 10 major Synod study groups, which focused on the Church's mission in the digital environment.

In September 2026, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life sponsored a major Public Dialogue on "AI, Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Leo's Invitation to Dialogue with the World," moderated by Daniels.

"I am honored to serve as a consultant to this task force helping to promote Pope Leo's vision for a 'social, economic and political order' that allows 'everyone - particularly the weakest - to live a truly dignified life, without leaving anyone behind'" said Daniels.

Georgetown University President Eduardo Peñalver recently announced a new university-wide initiative to create a framework for the university's practices regarding the use and nonuse of artificial intelligence in teaching, research and other mission activities.

"As a Catholic, Jesuit university with a commitment to care for the whole person and leadership on AI ethics and policy, Georgetown is dedicated to the principles Pope Leo raises in the encyclical, and to translating those principles into practice," Daniels added. "I'm grateful that we can partner with the U.S. bishops as they engage in this vital work."

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