Montana State University will host an interdisciplinary symposium Oct. 1-2 to explore the possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence for human knowledge.
“The Future of AI” conference, sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence at MSU, will be held on campus. Attendance includes lunch and an evening reception on Thursday, and a light breakfast and coffee on Friday. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
“The rise of artificial intelligence has fundamentally transformed how knowledge is created, shared and understood while raising profound intellectual questions that cut across every discipline and field of inquiry,” said Doralyn Rossmann, co-founder of the Institute on Artificial Intelligence and dean of the MSU Library. “As AI becomes increasingly embedded in research, education and public life, we must carefully examine its implications for the production of knowledge and truth.”
The event will feature MSU experts and guest speakers from across the nation to address topics including the modes of research and creative work that are possible with AI, how AI will affect the transmission and preservation of human knowledge, whether AI will be a reliable source of knowledge and whether AI poses a threat to having an informed citizenry.
The conference is designed to allow colleagues to reflect on the opportunities and challenges for conducting research and creative inquiry in the age of AI. A series of moderated workshops will allow for interaction between participants and speakers, and will focus on strategies for universities, nonprofits and businesses to address major questions raised by AI.
Guest speakers are Edward L. Ayers, president emeritus, University of Richmond; Tracy Camp, director, Computing Research Association; Bruce Holsinger, professor of English, University of Virginia; Pietro Perona, Allen E. Puckette Professor of Electrical Engineering and director of Information Science and Technology, California Institute of Technology; Jeffrey Reed, independent scholar, Yellowstone Forever; Elham Tabassi, director of artificial intelligence and emerging technology, Brookings Institution; and Kate Zwaard, executive director, Coalition of Networked Information.
“We have a lot to learn about AI and its implications for Montana and the U.S.,” said William Thomas, co-founder of the Institute on Artificial Intelligence and dean of MSU’s College of Letters and Science. “I’m excited we are bringing some of the world’s leading AI scholars and thinkers to MSU. Anyone interested in AI will not want to miss this conference.”