The University of Portland will host a national conference focused on the integration of artificial intelligence in Catholic higher education. The event, titled “Catholic Higher Education and AI: Mission-Based Teaching for the Future of Humanity,” is scheduled for October 18 to 20 and intends to explore how Catholic institutions can modify their educational strategies in light of emerging AI technologies.
Conference Overview
Co-hosted by the University of Portland’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation and Applied Ethics, the conference will address the ethical concerns related to generative AI, its implications for education, and its potential impact on religious engagement and creativity.
Importance of the Conference
In a press release dated October 4, University President Robert D. Kelly underscored the importance of the conference, citing the historic contributions of Catholic colleges and universities in promoting an understanding of technological developments and their societal implications. Kelly stated that institutions such as the University of Portland are well-positioned to facilitate critical discussions about the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence.
Keynote Speakers and Guests
The conference will feature keynote speaker Rev. Philip Larrey, a philosophy professor at Boston College and an advisor to the Vatican on AI and digital technology. Other prominent speakers will include Irina Raicu, director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, and Charles Jennings, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Additional Information
Additional details regarding the conference agenda are available online.
Source: The Beacon
