2024 Tech Ethics Symposium: October 17-18!

The 2024 Tech Ethics Symposium took place on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 in the Dougherty Ballroom in the Power Center on the Duquesne University campus.  The program featured individual speakers, panel discussions, and research posters addressing the question of how generative AI is impacting our communities. Areas of focus included journalism and media ethics, education, policy and tech, faith communities, and disability communities. View the full digital program booklet.

Thursday, October 17

1:30-2:00: Registration and Welcome Reception

2:00 – 3:00:  How Independent Journalists, Influencers and AI are Revolutionizing Journalism

• Miracle Jones, 1Hood Media
• Jennie Ewing Liska, PublicSource
• Margie Ruttenberg, Producer
• Annie Newman, Director of Digital Strategy, Gov. Josh Shapiro
• Moderator: Natalie Bencivenga, Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism and Media Fellow

3:00 – 3:30: Break, Refreshments Provided

3:30 – 4:30:  AI and Higher Ed: How Will We Get to Where We Want to Be?

• Keynote: Cynthia Alby, Professor of Teacher Education, Georgia College

• Phillip Bryant, Edith L. Trees Professorship in Special Needs Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Duquesne University
• Tiffany Hatcher, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University
• Rachel Whitcomb, Associate Dean, Associate Professor, and Program Director of Music Education, Duquesne University
• Moderator: Jeff Lambert, Assistant Director for Educational Development, Center for Teaching Excellence, Duquesne University

4:30-5:30: Hors d’oeuvres and Networking Hour

Friday, October 18

8:15 – 9:00: Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 10:30: Where is Ethics in the New AI-Driven Tech Community?

• Opening Remarks: President Ken Gormley, Duquesne University

• Richard Zhang, Google

• Ehi Nosakhare, Microsoft

• Ravit Dotan, TechBetter.ai, Speaker, Advisor, Researcher

• Moderator: John Slattery, Duquesne University

10:30 – 10:45: Break, Refreshments Provided

10:45 – 11:45: How is AI Transforming Communities of Faith?

• Rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman, Sinai and Synapses
• Anna Floerke Scheid, Associate Professor of Theology, Duquesne University
• Richard Zhang, Google
• Ehi Nosakhare, Microsoft
• Moderator: John Slattery, Duquesne University

11:45 – 12:30: What is the Future of Polling in a World of AI?

• Kate Murphy, President & CEO of Campos, Pittsburgh-Based Marketing Research Firm

• Gayle Rogers, Andrew W. Mellon Professor and Chair of the English Department, University of Pittsburgh

• Moderator: Pamela Walck, Associate Professor of Multiplatform Journalism & Director, Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism, Duquesne University

12:30 – 1:45: Lunch and Research Poster Presentations

1:45 – 2:15: Has AI Changed the College Experience Forever?

• Valerie McMullen, School of Science and Engineering '25

• Adisyn Moorhead, School of Science and Engineering '27

• Elijah Yannotti-Thomas, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts '27

• Fatima Zhantibiyeva, School of Science and Engineering '26

 2:15 – 3:45: AI Policy and the Future of Democracy in Pennsylvania

• Annie Newman, Director of Digital Strategy, Gov. Josh Shapiro
• Rep. Napoleon Nelson, 154^th District, PA
• Respondent: Elise Silva, Director of Policy Research, Pitt Cyber
• Moderator: Katherine L.W. Norton, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Law, Duquesne University

3:45 – 4:00: Break, Refreshments Provided

4:00 – 5:30: AI, Gaming, and Accessibility: Unlimited Potential or Increasing Inequities?

• Grant Stoner, Gaming Journalist, Disability Advocate

• Steve Saylor, Creator and Host, Blind Gamer

• Kate Sánchez, Recruiter, Iron Galaxy Studios and Editor-in-Chief, butwhytho.net

• Chris Robinson, Creator, DeafGamersTV

• Moderator: John Slattery, Duquesne University

The Symposium is Free to attend and open to all Pittsburgh-area university students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members. 

Registration for the 2024 Tech Ethics Symposium is closed. Please join us for next year's Symposium - details forthcoming!

All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit posters to present at the symposium on any aspect of technology ethics! The best poster in each category (undergraduate and graduate) will receive a $400 cash prize! Runners-up in each category will receive $200, and two audience choice winners will each  receive $100. All accepted posters will receive a $75 award.

Rules & Eligibility

• Complete the submission form and submit your poster to the designated box folder as a PDF by Thursday, October 03!
• Submissions may come from individuals or groups. Only one poster per team.
• Poster size must be 36”x44” (use the template to ensure you meet size guidelines).
• Posters may come from any academic discipline.
• Any current undergraduate or graduate student, from any university, is eligible to submit a poster.
• If accepted, at least one author must be physically present to present the poster.

Read the full Call for Student Posters

Student Poster submissions for the 2024 Tech Ethics Symposium are closed.

Faculty are invited to submit proposals that demonstrate how they are currently integrating, or plan to integrate, generative AI into their learning activities, assessment, and/or teaching. Submissions that align with the theme of AI’s impact on community are particularly encouraged. However, we are open to submissions from any discipline addressing any aspect of teaching with AI.

Faculty Poster Proposal submissions for the 2024 Tech Ethics Symposium are closed.

Call for faculty proposals

Duquesne University is located at 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, and the Symposium will take place on the fifth floor of the Power Center in the Dougherty Ballroom and Shepperson Suite areas.

If you are driving to the Symposium, paid parking is available at Duquesne's Forbes Avenue Parking Garage (1100 Forbes Avenue). Upon parking, take the parking garage elevator to the eighth floor, exit the elevator, then enter the Skywalk on your right, which crosses Forbes Ave. The Skywalk will take you directly to the fifth floor of the Power Center.

Additional paid parking is available at the Chatham Center Garage, located on Fifth Ave. 

Please refer to this campus map to assist you in navigating your way to the Symposium.