WCC News: From prompts to prayers: Christian communicators explore AI and authentic spirituality at ECIC in Rome

Church communicators from across Europe gathered in Rome from 10-12 June for the 30th edition of the European Christian Internet Conference (ECIC), exploring the theme “From prompts to prayers: AI and authentic spirituality.” The conference examined how churches can engage with artificial intelligence while safeguarding human dignity and fostering authentic community. Participants of the 30th annual gathering of the European Christian Internet Conference (ECIC) in Rome visited Vatical Media headquarters and were introduced to the Pope Leo XIV’s recently published encyclical letter Magnifica Humanitas, addressing the protection of humanity in the era of artificial intelligence. Photo: Kerstin Dominika Urban/ECIC 17 June 2026 For more than three decades, ECIC has brought together a diverse network of online pastors, digital creators, web specialists, and communication professionals representing a broad spectrum of churches and Christian organisations across Europe. The annual gathering offers a unique space to exchange experiences, explore emerging technologies, and reflect together on how churches can engage faithfully and responsibly in an evolving digital world. Against a backdrop of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, participants of the gathering in Rome reflected on fundamental questions of truth, authenticity, human dignity, and spiritual life. As AI increasingly influences how people access information, build relationships, and engage with faith practices, the conference examined both the opportunities it offers and the ethical challenges it poses for churches and Christian communities. The theological and practical dimensions of these questions were explored through a series of keynote presentations. In the opening keynote, Ilenya Goss reflected on “Between Algorithms and Identity: AI at the Frontiers of Spirituality,” examining how emerging technologies are reshaping human identity and spiritual experience. Fabio Pasqualetti continued the conversation with a theological challenge in his keynote, “No Artificial Intelligence will die on the cross for us,” highlighting the irreplaceable nature of human embodiment, relationships and incarnation in Christian faith. An example of engaging the wider society in discussion was presented by Jussi Koski in “Case Heräys – The new role of church in top level technological discussion,” demonstrating how churches can contribute actively to society-wide conversations about technological development, being at one table of discussion with scientists, state institutions and big tech companies. For its 30th annual meeting in Rome from 10-12 June 2026, ECIC  brought together a diverse network of online pastors, digital creators, web specialists, and communication professionals representing a broad spectrum of churches and Christian organisations across Europe. Photo: Markus Kartano/ECIC A longstanding hallmark of ECIC is its emphasis on peer learning and mutual exchange. During the “Tell your story” sessions, participants shared examples from their own communication work, discussed successful initiatives and challenges, and learned from one another’s experiences across different church contexts. The conference also included a special visit to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication and Vatican Media headquarters, where participants were introduced to the global communications work of the Holy See. The visit offered an unique opportunity for participants to engage with the themes of Pope Leo XIV’s recently published encyclical letter Magnifica humanitas, which addresses the protection of human dignity in the era of artificial intelligence and encourages a human-centred approach to technological development. The final day of the conference brought two keynote reflections that widened the perspective beyond church communication alone. Holger Sievert explored how artificial intelligence is transforming administrative, communicative, and spiritual practices in his presentation “Algorithm over Altar? How AI Might Be Rewriting Administrative, Communicative and Spiritual Practice.”  The conversation with Bruno Giussani, titled “What do we become when AI enters our lives?” concluded the conference programme, inviting participants to reflect on the profound human and societal implications of living alongside increasingly intelligent technologies. As AI evolves from a tool we use into an environment that increasingly shapes our lives and work, questions of ownership, power, embedded values, and human agency become ever more urgent. As ECIC marked its 30th edition in Rome, participants left with new insights, renewed connections, and a shared commitment to ensuring that the Christian voice contributes thoughtfully to the ongoing conversation about artificial intelligence. The conference reaffirmed that, even in an age of algorithms and automation, authentic spirituality remains rooted in human encounter, community, and the church’s enduring mission to communicate the Gospel across centuries and generations. As European Christian Internet Conference opens, communicators draw strength from community (WCC interview, 10 June 2026) European Christian Internet Conference marks 30th edition in Rome with focus on AI (WCC news release, 09 June 2026) Learn more about the ECIC conference in Rome, "From prompts to prayers: AI and authentic spirituality" As part of the ECIC annual meeting in Rome, Mons. Lucio Adrián Ruiz, Secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, introduced Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas to the ECIC participants and offered a reflection on its relevance in a time shaped by artificial intelligence. Photo: Markus Kartano/ECIC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland