Ateneo de Manila University Convenes International AI Symposium

Fr. Roberto C. Yap SJ welcomes more than 120 delegates from Jesuit universities worldwide to the inaugural symposium of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities (GRAJU). Photo credit: Ateneo de Manila University.

• Global Gathering: More than 120 scholars and academic leaders from Jesuit universities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas convene at Ateneo de Manila University to exchange ideas and research on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
• AI And Ethics: Over 70 research studies are being presented, examining not only the technological possibilities of AI but also the ethical, social, and educational questions that accompany its rapid development.
• Jesuit Collaboration: The inaugural symposium of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities marks a new era of global academic partnerships focused on responsible innovation and research for the common good.

Scholars and research leaders from around the world have gathered at Ateneo de Manila University this week for a landmark international symposium that places artificial intelligence at the center of academic collaboration and ethical reflection.

Held from March 9 to 12, 2026, the inaugural symposium of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities brings together more than 120 delegates representing Jesuit institutions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The event also features over 70 AI focused studies that explore how emerging technologies are transforming education, research, and leadership formation in the modern world.

Carrying the theme “The AI Frontier and the Distinctives of Global Jesuit Higher Education,” the gathering serves as a platform for scholars to examine both the promise and the challenges of artificial intelligence while grounding discussions in the Jesuit tradition of education that emphasizes service, ethics, and the development of the whole person.

A Timely Conversation on AI’s Impact

The opening of the symposium set the tone for thoughtful dialogue on the opportunities and risks associated with rapidly advancing technologies.

In his welcome remarks, Fr. Roberto C. Yap SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University, emphasized the profound impact artificial intelligence is already having on society.

“Artificial intelligence has redefined the way we learn, communicate, and interact with the world around us… It holds potential for human flourishing, but also carries risks of isolation, loss of work, and new forms of manipulation,” he said.

His remarks reflected the central tension that many researchers are exploring during the symposium. AI is widely recognized as a powerful tool that can accelerate discovery, improve access to knowledge, and transform entire industries. At the same time, it raises pressing questions about ethics, labor, governance, and human agency.

For Jesuit institutions known for their strong emphasis on social responsibility, the conversation naturally extends beyond technology itself and into how innovation should serve humanity.

A Courtesy Call at Quezon City Hall

The first day of the symposium also included a visit to Quezon City Hall, where delegates paid a courtesy call to Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, an alumna of Ateneo de Manila University.

Quezon City Mayor and Ateneo de Manila University alumna Ma. Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte thanks GRAJU delegates for gathering in the spirit of Ignatian values. Photo credit: Ateneo de Manila University.

Addressing the visiting scholars, the mayor highlighted the importance of grounding technological progress in moral responsibility.

“The tradition that unites our universities has always insisted that knowledge is not neutral; that it carries moral weight, and that it must be projected toward human dignity and the common good: Cura personalis, care for the whole person. That principle does not become less relevant in the age of AI. If anything, it becomes more necessary,” Belmonte said.

Her message echoed the long standing Jesuit educational philosophy that intellectual advancement should always be tied to ethical awareness and a commitment to the common good.

Research, Dialogue, and Collaboration

Throughout the four day symposium, scholars are presenting research and engaging in discussions that explore artificial intelligence from multiple perspectives.

Key topics include the role of AI in Ignatian pedagogy, the ethical and policy implications of emerging technologies, and the potential of AI enabled tools to transform research and innovation. Sessions also examine how global academic partnerships can be strengthened through shared technological initiatives.

Beyond formal presentations, the program includes research dialogues, networking sessions, and collaborative workshops designed to encourage scholars to develop new partnerships across institutions.

Organizers hope that the gathering will spark joint research projects, collaborative publications, and long term initiatives that deepen cooperation among Jesuit universities worldwide.

The Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities

The symposium marks the first major convening of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities, an international research network established in 2025 to strengthen scholarly collaboration among Jesuit institutions around the globe.

Founding institutions of the alliance include Ateneo de Manila University, Fordham University, Georgetown University, ITESO Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, Sogang University, the University of Deusto, and the University of Namur.

Together, these universities share a common commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and research that contributes to the global common good.

A New Chapter for Global Jesuit Scholarship

By hosting the alliance’s inaugural symposium, Ateneo de Manila University underscores its growing role as a hub for international research collaboration and forward looking academic dialogue.

The event also signals a broader shift in how universities are approaching the age of artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing solely on technological breakthroughs, institutions are increasingly exploring how innovation can be guided by ethical reflection and human centered values.

For the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities, the gathering represents the start of a long term effort to harness global scholarship and emerging technologies in pursuit of a more just, humane, and hopeful future.