The Don Bosco Study Center organizes a seminar at the Pontifical Salesian University dedicated to the integration between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Salesian studies. This laboratory represents a unique opportunity to discover how new technologies can be put at the service of spirituality, pedagogy, and Salesian historical research, in line with Don Bosco's charism and an ethical and humanizing vision of AI use.
During the seminar, participants will learn how to use salesian.online, a platform that collects a wide range of documents and materials dedicated to Salesian spirituality, history, and education. Each document on the site includes an abstract and the original text in PDF, making it easier for AI algorithms to access and use the texts.
The laboratory will demonstrate how to optimally use the AI assistant "Salesian & Don Bosco Research" to answer specific questions on Salesian educational, historical, and spiritual themes, obtaining quick and accurate answers based on original documents. Another interesting feature experimented with is the possibility of uploading one's own texts into the conversation and critically interacting with Salesian criteria through the AI assistant. The seminar will also illustrate how to use the AI search function to deeply explore specific Salesian themes among the 5000 texts available on the salesian.online site.
An additional theme of the laboratory will be the Salesian approach following the recent document from the SDB Sector for Communication "Salesian Perspective on Artificial Intelligence." AI must be used to promote the dignity of the person, strengthen the common good, and create a culture of solidarity. The Salesian approach, based on preventive and integral education, sees AI as a resource to multiply learning opportunities, always valuing the central role of the educator and the human relationship. Technology thus becomes a support, never a substitute, in accompanying young people towards conscious and responsible growth.