Loyola University New Orleans Explores Faith and Artificial Intelligence in NOLA.com Feature

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13, 2026 - Loyola University New Orleans' efforts to explore the intersection of faith and artificial intelligence were highlighted in an Oct. 11 NOLA.com article examining how young adults are responding to an increasingly digital world.

In the feature, reporter Bob Warren spoke with Tracey Lamont, director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry and an associate professor of religious studies, about conversations researchers held with young adults concerning AI, spirituality and ethical decision-making.

The conversations were part of a planning study supported by a $75,000 grant from Lilly Endowment's Growing in Faith in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Participants, ranging from their 20s to early 30s, expressed concerns about AI's effects on employment, creativity, relationships and their sense of self.

"They're very concerned what it's doing to creativity and imagination," Lamont told NOLA.com.

Researchers also identified anxiety surrounding achievement and a perceived need to be perfect. Some participants described using AI tools because they worried about being judged for what they did not know. These findings raise questions about how Christian understandings of imperfection, grace and human dignity can inform the use of technology.

While public discussions about AI often focus on its economic and ethical implications, Loyola's work brings spirituality and faith into the conversation. Participants expressed a desire to understand how their faith and their use of AI can coexist.

Building on the planning study, the Loyola Institute for Ministry has applied for a $2.5 million grant over five years. If awarded, the funding would support practices and programs that help students and faculty draw on Christian traditions and Catholic social teaching to navigate emerging technologies.

The NOLA.com feature highlights Loyola's commitment to thoughtful dialogue about technology and its impact on the whole person, creating space for young adults to consider how faith can guide their choices in a changing digital landscape.

Read the NOLA.com article: "Loyola is asking young adults about life with AI, and how it affects their spirituality"

Learn more: Loyola Institute for Ministry Awarded Lilly Endowment Planning Grant