US bishops to discuss AI, migration, Church renewal

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will hold its 2026 Fall Plenary Assembly from November 16 to 19 in Baltimore, Maryland. The bishops expect to discuss artificial intelligence, migration, and signs of Church renewal. Public sessions on November 17 and 18 will be livestreamed on the USCCB website.

The assembly will feature an update from Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose, who leads the Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. The task force focuses on the common good and human dignity in AI development, following themes in Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*. Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria will also provide an update on migration one year after the bishops issued a special message opposing indiscriminate mass deportations. Additionally, Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn will address the bishops regarding the Guadalupan Novena, and a panel will discuss increased conversions and religious interest among young adults.

The bishops will also conduct several elections, including a new general secretary and a conference secretary to replace Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, whose term ends following his election last November. The assembly will also elect chairmen for six USCCB committees. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, the USCCB president, and Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the papal nuncio to the United States, will open the public sessions with addresses.