Artificial Intelligence (AI) Principles

Artificial Intelligence Guiding Principles

"In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human."
- Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, 15

Lake Catholic High School believes artificial intelligence (Al) should help us become more human, not less. As technology continues to evolve, we are committed to embracing the benefits of Al in ways that enrich learning, foster creativity, and improve efficiency while remaining rooted in our Catholic mission and the dignity of every person. Our goal is to equip students and staff with the knowledge and discernment to use Al responsibly, creating more time for the relationships, mentorship, and personal attention that define a Lake Catholic education. AI will always serve as a tool that enhances human judgment and authentic learning, never a replacement for them.

The guiding principles that follow are rooted in Lake Catholic's core values, which are at the heart of everything we do and serve as the foundation for how we thoughtfully and responsibly integrate Al into our school community. We will continue to learn, adapt, and ensure that innovation is always used in service of our students, our community, and the common good.

Spirit of and Compassion

• As a Catholic community, relationships are at the heart of education. Artificial intelligence will support, not replace, the human connections that foster mentorship, collaboration, compassion, and community. We will use Al to enhance learning while preserving the dignity of every person and our responsibility to care for one another as members of the Body of Christ.
• We will use technology in ways that respect the dignity of every person and support authentic human connection. At the same time, continuing to teach and train students and staff on best practices in using Al.

"Created for relationship, every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with him, with others and with creation."
- Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, 50 

Personal Integrity

• The responsible use of artificial intelligence requires honesty, sound judgment, and respect for others. We will carefully evaluate AI tools to ensure they protect privacy, safeguard personal information, and uphold data integrity.
• As stewards of God's creation, we also recognize that technology has broader ethical and environmental impacts. We will encourage thoughtful decisionmaking that considers the well-being of others, the responsible use of resources, and the longterm effects of emerging technologies.

"...it will always be human intelligence, with its conscience and freedom, that guides technical innovations and responsibly determines their use and limits."
- Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, 97 

Willingness to Serve

• Lake Catholic will serve our students and staff members by providing equitable access to approved Al tools, while being able to recognize bias, question assumptions, and exercise discernment in evaluating Al-generated content.
• Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, we will equip/challenge students to use Al not simply for personal success, but in service to others, the Church, and the common good.

"Teaching new generations that technological evolution does not follow a predetermined path, but can be guided by personal and collective responsibility, constitutes one of the most valuable services to the common good."
- Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, 238

Commitment to Excellence

• Academic excellence requires curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and personal effort. Al can be a valuable learning tool, but it should support, not replace, an individual's learning experience.
• Students and employees are expected to use AI responsibly and ethically. Expectations for
  acceptable Al assistance will be clearly communicated so that academic integrity remains central to the educational experience.

"Schools are not called to follow the pace of the digital world, but to offer that which the digital sphere by itself cannot provide, namely a shared time for learning and developing trustworthy relationships."
- Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, 147