Change of Era Triggers Catholic University of America to Launch AI Degrees

In 2015, the late Pope Francis remarked that we aren’t just experiencing changes within an era—we’re entering a new era altogether. Nearly a decade later, that shift has only gained momentum, especially as AI continues to evolve at a pace that can feel overwhelming. Headlines about breakthroughs in AI now seem constant, and it’s becoming harder to ignore how deeply this technology is reshaping the world.

At The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., the approach has been proactive. The university is preparing to launch two new AI-focused degree programs this year: a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in AI, both under the School of Engineering. These programs will feature specialized tracks in robotics, healthcare AI, large language models, and responsible AI design.

Aaron Dominguez, the university’s provost and a physics professor, had already been considering such initiatives since he attended the Builders Artificial Intelligence Forum at the Vatican in October 2024. The event gathered Catholic professionals from around the globe—developers, academics, clergy, investors, and ethicists—all united by a common faith and a shared focus on how AI fits into the Church’s mission.

The forum was organized by Matthew Harvey Sanders, founder of Longbeard, a tech company focused on Catholic-centered AI tools. Dominguez recalled how the diverse group sparked deep conversations about technology, morality, and what it means to remain human in the digital age. That experience helped solidify his vision for integrating ethics into the university’s AI programs.

The appointment of an American pope with a background in mathematics, who also began speaking publicly about AI’s relationship to human dignity, only strengthened his resolve. For Dominguez, this felt like a call to action. “We’re the Church’s university in the U.S., and we’re rooted both in Washington and in Rome. If this isn’t divine timing, what is?” he said.

According to Dominguez, AI should never be treated as morally neutral. The design of these systems matters. He believes that good AI design should encourage virtuous behavior and help foster real connections between people rather than isolate them. He also warns that society must begin to draw ethical boundaries around what AI should and shouldn’t do, especially as generative tools become more powerful.

Catholic social teachings have long offered ethical guidance in bioethics and medicine, and Dominguez believes they can do the same for AI. CUA’s new degree programs aim to contribute to this effort by equipping students to think critically and ethically about emerging technologies.

Who knows, the future graduates from CUA with AI skills could work at companies like Thumzup Media Corp. (NASDAQ: TZUP) and contribute to their growth and sustained market presence.

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