“Artificial Intelligence must serve the human person”, COMECE stresses at Article 17 TFEU Seminar
“Artificial Intelligence must serve the human person”, COMECE stresses at Article 17 TFEU Seminar
Publish Date: 2026-06-25 08:27:00
Source Domain: www.comece.eu
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
Article 17 TFEU Seminar, “Health and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Communities Tackling Isolation and Digital Risks”, hosted by EP Vice-President Antonella Sberna. European Parliament, Brussels, 9 June 2026. (Photo: EP)
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the Article 17 TFEU Seminar, “Health and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Communities Tackling Isolation and Digital Risks”, held at the European Parliament on 9 June 2026. Read Prof. Agius’ speech
Hosted by MEP Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament and responsible for Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the seminar brought together representatives of Churches, religious communities, civil society organisations and EU institutions to reflect on the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence.
Among the representatives of the EU institutions participating in the event were Eva Yiasemidou, representing the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and Nacira Boulehouat, Director for Democracy, Security and Technological Innovation at the Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner responsible for Article 17 TFEUm, sent a video message.
COMECE was represented by Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, theologian and moderator of the COMECE Commission on Ethics. Prof. Agius contributed to the panel discussion “Digital Fairness by Design: Regulating Digital Environments for Well-being”, presenting an ethical and anthropological perspective on artificial intelligence in the light of Magnifica Humanitas, the first encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIV and the most comprehensive magisterial reflection to date on artificial intelligence and human dignity.
Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, moderator of the COMECE Commission on Ethics. (Photo: EP)
In his intervention, COMECE highlighted that artificial intelligence should “serve the human person, not the other way around”, and that digital environments should strengthen authentic human relationships rather than replace them.
Prof. Agius also stressed that technical regulation alone is not sufficient to address the challenges posed by AI. Effective AI governance, he argued, must be guided by a robust understanding of human dignity and a firm commitment to the common good.
Earlier in May 2026, COMECE published the reflection paper Mental Health in Europe: A Call for Care, prepared by its Commission on Ethics. In February 2024, COMECE also welcomed the adoption of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, highlighting the importance of ensuring that technological innovation remains at the service of humanity.
Read Prof. Agius’ speech
Speech 09062026 – Prof Agius at EP Article 17 TFEU event on well being and AI [EN]
