The International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC), in partnership with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), successfully conducted the web talk titled “Catholic Education 5.0: Reimagining and Transforming Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” on May 26, 2026, via Zoom Platform.
The webinar gathered around 300 participants from Catholic schools and educational institutions nationwide. Among those present were CEAP Executive Director Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio and educators from various regions across the country, reflecting the growing commitment of Catholic schools to responsibly navigate the opportunities and challenges brought by artificial intelligence in education. The CEAP Membership Services and Communications Unit coordinated the webinar.
The session opened with an opening perspective from Fr. Alain P. Manalo, PCSS Commission Chairperson and OIEC Vice President for Asia and Oceania, who reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. Fr. Alain emphasized the importance of integrating technology in education while continuing to form learners who are faith-filled, humanly mature, and academically competent.
A special welcome video message was also delivered by Mr. Hervé Lecomte, OIEC Secretary General, who highlighted the need for Catholic education to engage with artificial intelligence thoughtfully and discerningly, ensuring that technological innovation remains rooted in human dignity and the common good.
The first talk, “Voices from the Field: AI in Philippine Schools,” was delivered by Mr. Allen A. Vasquez, President of RAKSO CT. He discussed the growing use of artificial intelligence in Philippine schools and pointed out that many teachers and students are already utilizing AI tools despite limited institutional guidance. He emphasized the need for schools to move beyond debating whether AI is good or bad and instead focus on how it can responsibly support teaching and learning. He also encouraged schools to create AI policies, provide teacher training, and strengthen collaboration with EdTech teams.
The second talk, “AI and the Future of Educational Transformation,” was led by Mr. David Lavín Carmona, CEO of Ed Tech Advisors®, together with a team of AI experts. Mr. Lavín shared that artificial intelligence is already part of students’ realities, and schools must respond with discernment rather than fear or fascination. He introduced practical approaches to Catholic Education 5.0, including small pilot implementations, teacher accompaniment, and impact measurement.
Fr. Alain also introduced the mission of Ed Tech Advisors® as the technological partner of the OIEC for the Catholic Education 5.0 initiative, helping Catholic schools worldwide integrate innovation while remaining grounded in mission, ethics, and human-centered education.
In his final synthesis, Fr. Alain expressed hope regarding the accessibility and affordability of educational technologies while reminding participants that the priority should remain on meaningful and effective educational use rather than technology for its own sake.
