Organisations | Catholic Connect 19 November 2026
Catholic Connect
19 November 2026
AI, Humanity and Mission: Practical Insights for Catholic Organisations
Panel presenters
Dr Paul Jurman
Chief Information & Digital Transformation Officer, Mercy Health Australia
Dr Paul Jurman is Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer at Mercy Health Australia, where he leads digital strategy, technology transformation and emerging technology governance. He played a key role in Mercy Health becoming the first Australian health and aged care provider to sign the Vatican's Rome Call for AI Ethics, helping translate ethical principles into practical governance approaches.
Paul holds several national leadership and advisory positions across healthcare, technology and higher education. He is Chair of Catholic Health Australia's AI Community of Practice, a member of the Australian Digital Health Agency Board's Clinical and Technical Advisory Committee, an External AI Expert on the Australian Catholic University AI Council and an Adjunct Professor of Practice at ACU. He also contributes to the Australian Catholic Bishops' Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Human Dignity.
Paul holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), bringing extensive expertise in responsible innovation, digital transformation and ethical AI governance.
Josh phillips
Co-founder and CEO, Clear AI
Josh Phillips is the Co-founder and CEO of ClearAI, helping organisations move beyond AI experimentation to practical implementation and organisation-wide transformation.
Working with executive teams, including within ASX-listed companies, Josh specialises in AI strategy, governance frameworks, operating models and automation. Through ClearAI, he helps organisations build internal capability, implement responsible AI practices and identify opportunities to improve productivity and operational effectiveness.
With a strong focus on human-centred innovation, Josh believes successful AI transformation is fundamentally about people, leadership and organisational change, ensuring technology strengthens capability, builds trust and delivers meaningful, lasting value.
Workshop overview
AI, Humanity and Mission: Practical Insights for Catholic Organisations
"How do we embrace AI in a way that serves our people, our purpose and the communities we exist for?"
Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon - it is already reshaping how organisations operate, deliver services and make decisions. For Catholic and for-purpose organisations, the question is no longer whether to engage with AI, but how to do so wisely, practically and in a way that remains true to mission and values.
This CDF Catholic Connect workshop is designed as a practical session for those navigating AI change. Whether you're just beginning to explore what's possible or already implementing new tools and processes and wanting to do so with greater confidence and integrity.
We'll hear from organisations who have already started on this journey, learn from their experience, and explore together what responsible, mission-centred adoption of AI looks like in practice. The session will also draw on the insights of Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and the Vatican’s Rome Call for AI Ethics, presenting a timely and grounding reflection on the relationship between technology and the human person, and what it asks of organisations like ours.
Key Discussion Areas:
- Practical AI Tools and Organisational Applications
- Ethical AI and Governance Frameworks
- Responsible Implementation and Risk Management
- Future Opportunities and Organisational Readiness
Agenda:
- Lunch and networking
- Welcome and CDF Prayer
- Expert presentations
- Panel discussion and audience Q&A
- Summary and closing remarks
Want to join the conversation?
Date: Thursday 19 November 2026
Time: 12.30pm to 3.00pm
Venue: Australian Catholic University Greg Craven Centre
Level 7, St Teresa of Kolkata Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065
Host: Catholic Development Fund (CDF)
The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury and Ballarat. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
