In this episode of the Future Tech & Policy (FTP) Podcast, the panel discusses the new encyclical by Pope Leo entitled "Magnifica Humanitas", which represents the Vatican's look at AI and its relationship to humanity and is being widely discussed in policy circles. We also explore the recent changes to Google's primary search results to be more of an AI-results-first approach, and the implications of that on search, discovery, and advertising. Finally, we examine recent changes to data management procedures in the age of AI for research that have been released from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, which will certainly impact research across disciplines.


Links to articles discussed

- Pope Leo's 'Magnifica humanitas': AI must serve humanity not concentrate power (Vatican News)
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-encyclical-magnifica-humanitas-ai.html

- Google is going to ruin the internet (Business Insider)
https://www.businessinsider.com/google-new-ai-search-will-ruin-internet-web-2026-5

- 2026 Pilot Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Available (NIH News)
https://grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2026/04/2026-pilot-data-management-and-sharing-plan-format-available

Panelists

- Alvin Chin, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, Information and Decision Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvinchin/

- Abigail Goben, Professor and Data Management Librarian, University Library
https://research.uic.edu/profiles/goben-abigail/

- Zachary McDowell, Associate Professor, Communication, University of Illinois Chicago
https://comm.uic.edu/profiles/zachary-mcdowell/

- Jeremy Riel (Host), Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology, University of Illinois Chicago & IGPA Science and Technology Working Group Co-Lead
https://education.uic.edu/profiles/riel-jeremy/

- Ken Suh, Adjunct Professor, UIC and UIUC Law, University of Illinois
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensuh


About The FTP Podcast

The FTP podcast brings together a panel of interdisciplinary faculty experts across the University of Illinois System to discuss trends and news from recent weeks in tech and policy while looking toward the future. Produced by the Science and Technology Working Group, Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA), University of Illinois System.

https://igpa.uillinois.edu

All opinions expressed on the FTP Podcast are those of the individual panelists and not the opinions of the University of Illinois System, The Institute of Government and Public Affairs, or the three UI universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, or Springfield.