Seoul Archdiocese unveils “Carlo Project,” an AI integration plan inspired by Saint Carlo Acutis to modernize Church services for the digital era.
Newsroom (08/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) In a landmark move that blends faith and technology, the Seoul Archdiocese in South Korea has announced an ambitious plan to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its pastoral and administrative systems. The initiative, titled the “Carlo Project,” draws its inspiration from Saint Carlo Acutis, the teenage digital evangelist known for his devotion to the Holy Eucharist and his pioneering use of technology to promote faith online.
The project, led by the Archdiocese’s Information Technology Office, aims to prepare the Korean Catholic Church for the rapidly advancing AI era. According to Father Kim Kwang-doo, director of the archdiocesan technology office, the initiative seeks to create AI-based services capable of independently providing accurate, faith-centered information to the Catholic community.
“Preparing for this transformation means building a foundation where faith and technology can coexist seamlessly,” Father Kim said. “For AI-powered management and information services, data organization is essential, and making these preparations is one of our key tasks.”
Currently, the Archdiocese manages a complex network of systems—ranging from news services and parish management to diocesan databases and department websites—that operate independently. The result is fragmented information, complicating pastoral coordination and communication with the faithful. Activities such as catechism, volunteer programs, and pastoral participation are recorded in separate structures, limiting the efficiency of Church service delivery.
The Carlo Project aims to consolidate all these systems into a unified digital ecosystem, powered by AI agents and responsive databases. The rollout will occur in two main phases. The initial phase, launching by May 2026, will focus on consultation with the faithful, data integration, and the revamping of the “Good News” website, one of the Archdiocese’s central online portals since its founding in 1998. The updated site will highlight the Church’s digital mission as it celebrates three decades of service to Korean Catholics.
Between 2027 and 2028, project consultants will work with clergy, parishes, and diocesan offices to build a cohesive data infrastructure. This effort will pave the way for AI-driven pastoral assistance, enabling Catholics to access religious teachings, parish news, and event updates through intuitive, intelligent systems.
The second phase of the Carlo Project, slated for 2029 to 2031, will extend beyond information services into administrative innovation. Systems for managing records, communications, and pastoral outreach will be overhauled to streamline Church operations and ensure that clergy can devote more time to ministry and less to paperwork.
In tandem with its digital modernization goals, the initiative will also play a vital role in promoting the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD)—an event expected to draw global attention and visitors, and to be attended by Pope Leo XIV. The Archdiocese plans to use its new digital infrastructure to support online faith programs and coordinate the international “1 Billion Rosary Prayers” campaign leading up to WYD.
By aligning advanced technology with the vision of Saint Carlo Acutis—the so-called “patron saint of the internet”—the Seoul Archdiocese hopes to exemplify a model of Catholic digital transformation grounded in faith, accessibility, and innovation. For many in the Korean Church, the Carlo Project is not only a leap into a new technological era but also a reaffirmation that the Church can remain timeless, even in an age defined by algorithms and data.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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