Jakarta: Scholars, political leaders, business representatives, religious leaders, activists and young people are meeting in Indonesia to discuss how artificial intelligence can be developed and used in ways that serve human dignity, fraternity and peace.
The eleventh International Congress of Scholas Chairs is being held from September 4 to 6 under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Human Sense”. The gathering is seeking practical ideas and projects that can have an impact beyond Indonesia.
Scholas Chairs are global academic networks and collaborative spaces that connect universities and researchers through the Scholas Occurrentes movement.
A major focus of the Congress is the need to place human values at the centre of discussions about artificial intelligence. Participants are examining how technology can contribute to the common good rather than weaken human relationships or freedom.
The Congress also marks the second anniversary of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Indonesia and the signing of the Istiqlal Declaration with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque.
As part of the gathering, participants are expected to present the Bali Declaration, which sets out a shared commitment to promoting ethical and human centred artificial intelligence directed towards the common good.
Speaking at the Congress, Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kankanamalage, secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, reflected on the relationship between artificial intelligence and the search for human meaning.
He focused on the ideas of “light” and “encounter”, recalling words proposed by Pope Francis during the signing of the Istiqlal Declaration.
In the context of Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, Monsignor Kankanamalage stressed the importance of seeking light from God while also deepening encounters with the transcendent, with oneself, with other people and with nature or creation.
He also raised questions about what humanity is building through artificial intelligence. Referring to Pope Leo’s reminder that technology can be used for good or ill, he said that a wide range of voices is needed to find ways of using AI for the common good.
The discussion highlighted several ethical principles, including respect for human dignity and freedom, protection of truth and the inner life, stronger human relationships, education, justice, inclusion, solidarity and the common good.
Monsignor Kankanamalage said humanity should neither reject technology nor treat it as something to be worshipped. Instead, he argued that AI should help people strengthen meaningful encounters and contribute to human flourishing.
The Congress in Indonesia is therefore placing the question of human purpose alongside technological development, asking how artificial intelligence can remain a tool that supports people rather than becoming a substitute for human relationships.