AI at Holy Family (Draft)
Statement on Generative Artificial Intelligence
The mission of Holy Family University is derived from its identity as a distinctively Catholic university founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Seeking to instill in its students a passion for truth, Holy Family draws on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition of faith and reason. This education consists not only of accumulating knowledge but, more importantly, developing wisdom and understanding. By educating and caring for the whole person – mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and morally, Holy Family provides an educational experience that is a function of both academic exploration and personal growth.
Intent upon forming persons of integrity who recognize the importance of learning, Holy Family University advocates the responsible use of knowledge. Holy Family supports innovations like generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and urges a critical examination of these new technologies. AI has the potential to stimulate thinking, promote accessibility, and reimagine learning within academia.
We want to critically examine Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) capabilities to help us better form connections, foster relationships, and improve the quality of the educational experience we offer. We believe that AI has the potential to help us achieve our goals and, most importantly, our mission.
Generative AI will continue to grow in capabilities in the years to come. As the field of AI rapidly develops, the values-based education that Holy Family provides becomes even more relevant. An informed use of AI tools is necessary to pursue knowledge through faith and reason and maintain our institution's moral fabric.
Ultimately, Holy Family University’s motto, teneor votis (“I am bound by my responsibilities”), educates members of the University community to become competent professionals and responsible citizens. As the technological landscape continues to shift, critical reflection on the use of AI is necessary to live out one’s responsibilities.
Framework for AI Literacy
In alignment with Holy Family University's Catholic intellectual tradition and our commitment to teneor votis, we embrace artificial intelligence as a tool for educational enhancement while maintaining our foundational values. Our approach to AI integration is guided by the following framework:
Critical Discernment and Ethical Integration
We recognize that AI systems, while powerful tools for learning and discovery, require thoughtful application through the lens of Catholic social teaching and ethical principles. Our community commits to understanding and addressing inherent biases and stereotypes within AI systems, ensuring their use aligns with our values of human dignity and social justice.
Knowledge Co-Creation and Intellectual Growth
The integration of AI tools serves to augment, not substitute, the essential human elements of education. We emphasize the co-creative potential of AI while preserving the irreplaceable value of human insight, creativity, and critical analysis. This approach ensures that AI enhances rather than diminishes the development of wisdom and understanding that distinguishes Holy Family's educational mission.
Privacy and Digital Stewardship
Upholding our commitment to caring for the whole person, we maintain rigorous standards for data privacy and information security. Our approach emphasizes responsible digital stewardship that protects individual privacy while fostering an environment of technological innovation and learning.
Information Integrity and Verification
In pursuit of truth, our community commits to careful verification and validation of AI-generated content. This practice aligns with our academic tradition of reasoned inquiry and ensures the achievement of high academic standards.
Critical Thinking and Catholic Intellectual Tradition
Our integration of AI technology is grounded in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition of faith and reason. We emphasize critical thinking and analytical skills that enable our community to engage with AI tools while maintaining our commitment to forming persons of integrity and wisdom.
This framework reflects Holy Family University's dedication to providing an education that embraces technological innovation while remaining firmly grounded in our Catholic identity and mission. Through this approach, we prepare our community to engage with AI technologies in ways that enhance learning, foster human connection, and advance our educational mission while upholding our core values and responsibilities.