In this tenth year of the Columban Schools Competition, we are looking for students in Britain and Ireland (aged 13-18 inclusive, parental permission required) to submit an original piece of writing or an original image on the theme:
"Staying human in the age of AI: Caring for people, planet and the common good".

In May 2026, Pope Leo published an Encyclical or papal teaching with the title: 'Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.'

In it he writes: "No computational system, however sophisticated, can create a heart that gives itself, or a conscience that discerns good from evil. Even when machines excel in efficiency, a human face that asks to be gazed upon remains the centre of our history. This human face is the fullness towards which history is moving." (No 233)

He highlighted the dignity and rights of the individual person, and the common good of all creation, in our age of rapid technological development, particularly AI.

Young people are invited to join Pope Leo in exploring how we respond to the challenges that this new technology brings to our world and how we live our lives in the light of our faith, the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. The encyclical reminds that working towards social justice is a key part of our faith: "For the Christian community, social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel" #79.

Don't miss this chance to make your mark!

Two separate competitions will be held, one for students in Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and one in Ireland; each has two categories: Writing and Image.

The winning entries, with parental permission, will be published in the Far East magazine, Vocation For Justice newsletter, online on Columban websites in Ireland and Britain, shared on Columban social media, and published in other Catholic media.