Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world at an extraordinary pace. But how can we ensure that technological progress remains at the service of humanity?

In this episode of Common Home TV: Questions for the Modern World, recorded in partnership with the Australian Cardijn Institute, we explore Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and its call to safeguard the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.

The discussion is moderated by Stefan Gigacz, who guides the conversation throughout.

Joining him are:

Premesh Chandran: A Malaysian entrepreneur, media innovator and co-founder of Malaysiakini, one of Asia's leading independent news platforms. Prem is also co-founder of Asia Mobiliti and Awatar, companies working in the mobility and AI sectors.

Fr Bruce Duncan CSsR: Redemptorist priest, theologian and one of Australia's leading voices on Catholic Social Teaching, with decades of experience in social justice advocacy, education and public policy.

Respondent: Stuart Moran: Biblical scholar and expert on the Book of Nehemiah, a text cited extensively by Pope Leo in Magnifica Humanitas.

Together they explore:

• What Pope Leo XIV says about artificial intelligence

• Human dignity, work and the common good in a digital age.

• The importance of ethical frameworks in shaping emerging technologies.

• How Catholic Social Teaching can help guide humanity through a period of rapid technological change.

The Australian Cardijn Institute promotes Catholic Social Teaching in the spirit of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn and his enduring method of See, Judge, Act, encouraging Christians to engage faithfully with the challenges of the contemporary world.

Visit the ACI at: https://australiancardijninstitute.org

Visit us at: https://www.commonhome.tv

Subscribe to Questions for the Modern World wherever you get your podcasts.

Somebody has to take the blame. It's an impulse as old as humanity itself, and it's nowhere near as dead as we'd like to think. This episode takes a deep dive into scapegoats.

In Act One, journalist Jörg Nowak returns from Papua New Guinea with firsthand accounts of witchcraft accusations, happening in over 40 countries today, and most of us have no idea. We look at how modernisation, male violence, and ancient superstition combine to put vulnerable women in the firing line, and what Sister Lorena's work rescuing and rehabilitating survivors looks like for those living through the nightmare.

In Act Two, Dr Chris Cotter unpacks the thinking of René Girard, who traced scapegoating all the way back to the origins of human civilisation, through myth, ritual, and religion, to the foot of the cross. What does the Eucharist have to do with ending the cycle of sacrifice? And can we actually survive without scapegoats?

Show notes:

Learn more about George's work at: https://www.missio.com/english

Visit the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst website: https://www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au

Welcome to the Common Home TV Podcast, and thank for joining us for another conversation at the intersection of faith, social justice, and the modern world.

In this episode, Fr Mans Bolli CSsR, priest and leader in digital mission for the Redemptorist of Oceania, is in conversation with Fr Bruce Duncan, a respected voice in Catholic social teaching and a mentor to many.

Together, they reflect on the first 300 days of Pope Leo’s pontificate, exploring continuity with Pope Francis, the importance of synodality, and the urgent call to live faith through action in today’s world.

From global challenges like war and climate change to the Church’s role in shaping conscience and public life, our hosts challenge listeners to consider what it truly means to live the Gospel today.