Ignatian AI Conference Schedule Highlights
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026
Opening Mass
Celebrated by Joseph Christie, SJ, Secretary for Higher Education, Society of Jesus
Concelebrants:
Jimmy Bartolo, SJ, Secretary for Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education, Society of Jesus
Robert Reiser, SJ, Provincial, United States East Province, Society of Jesus
Chikere Ugwuanyi, SJ, Coordinator of the Jesuit Association of Secondary Schools and Basic
Education in Africa and Madagascar, Society of Jesus
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Reflections on Applying Ignatian Principles to AI
Tania Tetlow · President, Fordham University
Stephen R. Grimm · Fordham University
Dinner Plenary
Overviews from Jesuit AI Task Forces
Annick Castiaux · University of Namur
Renato Cerqueira · Behring Institute of AI, PUC-Rio · Chair, International Association of Jesuit Universities AI Task Force
Ignacio Dávila · Microsoft · Chair, Jesuit Global Network of Schools AI Task Force
Brian Green · Santa Clara University
Diego Alejandro Patiño Guevara · Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026
Plenary Session and Guided Table Discussions
History of Jesuit Engagement with Science and Technology: Lessons from the Past
Joseph Lorenz, SJ · University of Notre Dame
Reflection on Father Lorenz’s talk
Plenary Session
Establishing Common Ground: An Up-to-Date Introduction to AI
Joshua Schrier · Fordham University
Plenary Session and Guided Table Discussions
Introducing the DELTA Framework: A Faith-Based Approach to AI
Meghan Sullivan · University of Notre Dame
Reflection on Meghan Sullivan’s talk
Lunch
Plenary Session
Jesuit-Educated AI Industry Leaders in Conversation: How Can Ignatian Principles Guide the Use and Development of AI?
Moderator: Jessica Lang · Fordham University
Panelist: Kristen Grauman · University of Texas/Meta (Boston College ’01)
Panelist: Eric Oermann · NYU Langone Health (University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy ’04; Georgetown University ’07; Georgetown University School of Medicine ’13)
Panelist: George Sivulka · Hebbia (Regis High School ’16)
Breakout Sessions 1
Breakout Sessions 2
Plenary Dinner Session
What Would St. Ignatius Do? Ignatian Responses to the Realities of AI in the World Today
Moderator: KerryAnn O’Meara · Provost, Fordham University
Panelist: Louis Caruana, SJ · Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Panelist: Nithin Monteiro, SJ · XIM University, India
Panelist: Collins Obidiagha, SJ · Arrupe Jesuit University, Zimbabwe
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026
Plenary Session
Teaching in Transformation — Hands-on Interactive Workshop
Meg Konkel · Fordham University
Akane Zusho · Fordham University
Plenary Session
AI and Its Impact on Youth and Secondary Education
Moderator: Kristin Ross Cully · Director of Educational Inquiry, Jesuit Schools Network
Panelist: Jim Bopp · Principal, Brophy College Preparatory
Panelist: Rinat Levy Cohen · Associate Dean, Fairfield College Preparatory School
Panelist: Cristo Rey NYC High School Student
Panelist: Fordham Preparatory School High School Student
Breakout Session 3
Lunch
Breakout Sessions 4
Final Plenary Session
Bringing Everything Together and Moving Forward: Conversations in the Spirit: Vanessa Rotondo · Fordham University