How can artificial intelligence serve humanity without diminishing what makes us human?
The AI, Faith, and Justice Conference brings together faculty, practitioners, faith leaders, students, and community members for a day of conversation examining artificial intelligence through the lenses of faith, ethics, justice, and human dignity.
The conference will feature a keynote address by Noreen Herzfeld, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, along with presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Participants will consider the opportunities and challenges created by emerging technologies and explore how innovation can be guided by ethical responsibility and a commitment to the common good.
The conference is free and open to the public. No background in theology or technology is required.
For more information, please email KettelerCenter@laroche.edu or call 412-536-1170.
Conference Schedule
9–9:10 a.m. | Welcome
Paul Spradley, Ed.D., and Gregor Thuswaldner, Ph.D.
9:10–10:25 a.m. | Keynote Address
Noreen Herzfeld, Ph.D.
10:25–10:45 a.m. | Break
10:45–11:30 a.m. | Artificial Intelligence and the Human Question: From Plausible Readings to Preferred Interpretive Judgments in Biblical Interpretation
Harold V. Bennett, Ph.D., D.Min.
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | What Does It Mean to Be Human? Faith, Human Dignity, and Artificial Intelligence
Christina Graziano, J.D.
12:15–1:15 p.m. | Lunch
1:15–2:15 p.m. | Interfaith Panel: AI and Faiths
Moderator: Paul Spradley, Ed.D.
2:15–3 p.m. | Concurrent Presentations (Choose One)
Session A: A Tiered Higher Education Framework for AI: Theological Hierarchy Across Postsecondary Academic Disciplines
Jeffrey Darville, Ph.D.
Session B: When Humans Become Obsolete: AI, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and the Sound of Silence in Higher Education
Mary Orieji Mba, Ph.D.
3–3:15 p.m. | Break
3:15–4 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Bringing the day’s ideas together
4–4:50 p.m. | Panel: Pope Leo’s Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas
Moderator: Gregor Thuswaldner, Ph.D.
Panelists: Kristof Oltvai, Ph.D., and Sister Michele Bisbey, Ph.D.
4:50–5 p.m. | Closing Remarks
Conference co-organizers
