The last few years have seen the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI), bearing potentially great benefits for the common good but also many dangers. AI applications are shaping society and individual life, leaving governments, businesses, and individuals struggling to address the effects of this powerful technology. This five-day seminar will explore how the Catholic intellectual tradition can help contemporary society develop an ethics for AI. Possible topics that will be addressed include: virtue ethics and AI-driven applications’ effects on character; arguments over the personhood of AI; the resources of Catholic Social Thought for confronting dangerous social effects of AI on society, such as those emanating from algorithmic bias; AI’s influence on work, especially in the caring professions; potential tools for AI governance. Participants will engage a range of theological and secular sources on the questions of AI.
LOCATION AND FORMAT
-
The seminar will take place at Duke University in Durham, NC. Admitted students will be required to arrange their own travel to and from the seminar.
-
Admitted students will be granted a stipend of $350 to offset travel costs
-
Lodging and most meals (some on their own) will be provided for the students for the duration of the seminar.
-
Participants will arrive in Durham, NC on Sunday, June 23 and depart on Saturday, June 29. The seminar will take place from Monday to Friday, with a lecture and discussion session each morning and afternoon.
-
Participants will be required to read the assigned materials in preparation for the seminar.
-
In order to receive the $350 stipend, students must participate fully in all seminar activities and complete a survey at the end of the seminar.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
-
Open to Ph.D. students in theology, philosophy, computer science, and other relevant fields of study. Limited spots open to professionals within the field.
-
Applicants must submit an online application, including details on their course of study, a statement of interest, and a letter of recommendation (strongly encouraged).
-
Applications Deadline is February 2.
-
15 applicants will be admitted to the seminar.
Contact us with any questions at seminars@lumenchristi.org.
This seminar is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide.” This program is copresented by the Lumen Christi Institute at University of Chicago and Fons Vitae at Duke Divinity School. This program is cosponsored by institutes of the In Lumine Network: the Collegium Institute, the Harvard Catholic Forum, COLLIS, and the Saint Anselm Institute.
