Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved, extending its influence across the globe. While it presents exciting opportunities, it also poses significant risks to democracy, particularly by amplifying the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The race to develop AI has left little time to fully consider its impact on communication, the information ecosystem, and the balance between free expression and regulation. How should the international community respond? Can policies like the European Union’s AI Act set a global standard, or will Western nations prioritize competition with China instead? Is profit being placed above democracy?
This event is co-sponsored by the Free Speech Project (Georgetown University) and the Future of the Humanities Project (Georgetown University and Blackfriars Hall and Campion Hall, Oxford).
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John Bansemer directs the CyberAI Project and is a senior fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), as well as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Previously, he served in various cyber, space, and intelligence positions within the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a lieutenant general. He last served as the assistant director for national intelligence, partner engagement, within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Maggi Savin-Baden, a senior research fellow at Blackfriars Hall, earned a Ph.D. from the University of London and an M.Sc. in E-Learning from the University of Edinburgh. She has authored six books on learning and artificial intelligence. Her research has examined the impact of learning in virtual worlds, and she now plans to continue studying digital technology and artificial intelligence at Blackfriars Hall’s Las Casas Institute for Social Justice.
Maura R. Grossman is a research professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, and an affiliate faculty member at the Vector Institute—all based in Ontario, Canada. Previously, she served as counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for 17 years, where she represented Fortune 100 companies and major financial institutions in civil litigation, as well as white-collar criminal and regulatory investigations.
Richard Sunderland is the founder and CEO of Heavenly, a global branding agency with offices in New York City and London. Richard’s experience is wide-ranging, having worked with clients across media and technology, education, cultural institutions, professional services, and the non-profit sector. He specializes in helping organizations better connect with their audiences to drive understanding and value.
Michael Scott (moderator) is senior dean, fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, college adviser for postgraduate students, and a member of the Las Casas Institute. He also serves as senior adviser to the president of Georgetown University. Scott previously was the pro-vice-chancellor at De Montfort University and founding vice-chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Sanford J. Ungar (moderator), president emeritus of Goucher College, is director of the Free Speech Project at Georgetown University, which documents challenges to free expression in American education, government, and civil society. Director of the Voice of America under President Bill Clinton, he was also dean of the American University School of Communication and is a former co-host of "All Things Considered" on NPR.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Vpnsrus.com