Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong urged Catholic educators to resist an educational culture shaped by hyper-competition and artificial intelligence-driven performance.
The prelate warned that schools must remain places of human encounter, ethical formation, and hope, according to a report by Sunday Examiner, the official news service of the Church in Hong Kong.
Speaking during Catholic School Teachers’ Day 2026 on May 18, the Jesuit cardinal cautioned against reducing education to market demands and technological efficiency as schools across Asia grapple with the rapid rise of AI in classrooms.
The triennial gathering, organized by the Catholic Education Office at AsiaWorld-Expo, brought together around 1,200 teachers from Catholic kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools across Hong Kong, according to the Sunday Examiner, the official news service of the Church in Hong Kong.
Held under the theme “Messengers of Hope,” the event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Diocese of Hong Kong and reflected on nearly two centuries of Catholic education in the city.
In his address, Cardinal Stephen warned against “an educational culture dominated by hyper-competition and utilitarian market needs.”
He urged schools to remain “safe spaces where students are allowed to fail and explore,” while encouraging educators to guide students in using AI “ethically to benefit and uplift others, rather than simply using it to outperform peers.”
The cardinal said students must be equipped with critical thinking skills to confront the ethical risks and dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence.
Recognizing the uncertainty many teachers feel amid rapid technological change, Cardinal Stephen called on educators, parents, and school communities to journey together in the spirit of a synodal Church.
He described schools as “a ‘garden of encounter’—a space for deep, empathetic listening where genuine human connection can grow.”
Addressing fears that AI could eventually replace educators, the cardinal insisted that Catholic education must remain rooted in human dignity and relationships.
“Because we have our own human nature, which is just so special, noble, and full of vitality… our education must bring a culture of life and hope to our students. And what is the foundation of hope? Love,” he said.
The gathering also featured artistic performances exploring the emotional and social consequences of digital dependence.
One drama, “AI Mama,” portrayed a schoolgirl attempting to replace her hospitalized mother with an AI chat program, highlighting the limits of technology in replicating human love.
A separate dance performance involving nearly 60 students depicted “the cold reality of a life lived entirely behind screens.”
Hong Kong Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said technology should remain a tool rather than the center of education.
“Knowledge transmission can rely on technology,” she said, “but the cultivation of values and the shaping of character must be driven by a warm, living soul.”
Choi also announced plans for a new development blueprint for digital education in primary and secondary schools, including expanded AI training for teachers and programs aimed at strengthening students’ digital literacy.
Victor Lam Wai-qiu, former Government Chief Information Officer, presented an ethical framework for AI literacy based on Antiqua et Nova, the Vatican’s 2025 document on AI ethics.
“Wisdom is not about completing tasks faster; it is about combining knowledge with benevolence to lead us toward truth and goodness,” Lam said.
In his closing remarks, episcopal delegate for education Joseph Kung Kwong-pui pointed to Finland’s efforts to scale back tablet use in schools in favor of books and face-to-face interaction amid concerns over declining attention spans and social skills.
“Technology is never a guarantee of quality education,” Kung said. “Excellent teachers are.”
