A.I. Ethics Conference Returning to the University of Scranton in 2027

The second Confronting the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence conference will be held at the University of Scranton on Thursday, April 29, through Saturday, May 1, 2027. A mixer and keynote lecture will kick things off on Thursday, followed by a full day of presentations, a second keynote lecture and a banquet on Friday; and a half day of presentations and plenary session on Saturday.

University officials hope to build on last year’s strong showing, in which attendees represented about 50 organizations from 18 states and Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom.

“Last year’s conference demonstrated that there is a real appetite for serious, interdisciplinary conversation about the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence,” said Dr. George Aulisio, dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library and conference co-planner. “We welcomed more than 100 participants from across the United States and internationally, representing an extraordinary range of disciplines and professions.”

Dr. Aulisio added that the conference strives to be “a space where scholars and professionals can engage these questions thoughtfully and across disciplinary boundaries.”

Organizers of last year’s inaugural event said the interest in the conference showed that across academics, business, healthcare, law and policy and countless other fields, there is a desire to better understand artificial intelligence and its applications.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping our schools, our hospitals, our legal systems, our entire lives,” said Daniel R. Marenda, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and conference co-planner. “But at its core, this technology is a reflection of the humans who build it and of the society we live in.

“How do we ensure these tools serve human dignity rather than diminish it? Last year’s conference took on this question directly. Our speakers spanned topics from healthcare to self-actualization, philosophy to physics; from AI doctors, to AI actors, AI tutors and AI students. I’m looking forward to seeing what topics this year’s speakers confront and how our understanding of this ever-changing technology continues to evolve.”

Registration is now open. Proposal submissions are welcome and will close on Nov. 6.