(ANS – Brussels) – On June 9, 2026, the European Parliament hosted a high-level dialogue seminar under Article 17 TFEU entitled “Health and Well-Being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Communities Tackling Isolation and Digital Risks.” The event brought together representatives of religious and non-confessional organizations, along with officials from the European Commission and the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to reflect on the profound social transformations being driven by artificial intelligence.

The seminar sought to foster a structured and inclusive dialogue on the implications of AI for human relationships, community life, and individual well-being. Particular attention was given to emerging challenges such as digital isolation, online harm, and the erosion of social bonds—phenomena that increasingly affect the mental, emotional, and social health of individuals and communities throughout Europe.

Within this context, participants explored how values-based organizations and civil society groups can contribute to safeguarding human dignity in an increasingly digitalized world.

At the request of Vice-President Antonella Sberna, the program included a dedicated panel focused on youth, recognizing the unique and often disproportionate impact that digitalization and artificial intelligence have on children, adolescents, and young adults. The panel, titled “Born Digital, Seeking Meaning: Young People Navigating AI, Isolation, and Well-Being,” reflected the shared conviction that young people should be viewed not only as beneficiaries of policy decisions but also as active contributors to the conversation.

Representing Don Bosco International (DBI), Prof. Paweł Wątor, SDB, professor at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) and member of the Youth Ministry Department, was invited to participate as a guest speaker. Drawing on his extensive experience accompanying young people throughout Europe, he offered a perspective rooted in the realities faced by today’s youth.

As a representative voice for young people at the European level, Prof. Wątor highlighted the lived experiences of youth navigating digital spaces, where loneliness and social isolation are increasingly common. In response to these challenges, he called for greater investment in community-based initiatives, education, and preventive measures as essential tools for addressing digital risks and promoting overall well-being.

This initiative was part of the broader Article 17 TFEU dialogue mechanism, which promotes open, transparent, and regular engagement between European institutions and churches, religious associations, and philosophical organizations. Within this framework, the seminar provided an important opportunity to ensure that ethical, social, and human-centered perspectives remain at the forefront of Europe’s response to rapid technological change.