Notre Dame receives record $50.8 million grant to develop faith-inspired approach to AI ethics

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The University of Notre Dame has been awarded a $50.8 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop a faith-based ethical approach to artificial intelligence.

The grant represents the largest award to Notre Dame by a private foundation in the university’s history.

The funding will support the DELTA Network, a Christian-inspired ethical framework that stands for Dignity, Embodiment, Love, Transcendence and Agency. The university said the framework was launched at the inaugural Notre Dame Summit on AI, Faith and Human Flourishing in September.

The grant will also support the establishment of a network that will provide practical resources to help navigate challenges posed by rapidly developing AI. Based on principles and values from Christian traditions, the framework is designed to be accessible to people of all faith perspectives.

“Pope Leo XIV calls for us all to work to ensure that AI is ‘intelligent, relational and guided by love,’ reflecting the design of God the Creator,” said University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. “As a Catholic university that seeks to promote human flourishing, Notre Dame is well-positioned to build bridges between religious leaders and educators, and those creating and using new technologies, so that they might together explore the moral and ethical questions associated with AI.”

“Here at Notre Dame, we’re committed to shaping public thought about how humans can flourish in an AI-driven world by drawing upon our Catholic and Christian tradition,” said Meghan Sullivan, founding director of Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. “Given the monumental impact that AI will have on our lives, this work is more vital than ever.”

If you’re interested in staying connected with DELTA and this work, click here to join the DELTA mailing list.