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As artificial intelligence systems become more embedded in daily life, thought leaders will gather at RTI International on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET to examine how humans can shape the ways in which these technologies impact individuals and societies.

will be co-hosted by RTI, an independent scientific research institute, and ���ϲ�����. It will bring together experts from across the region to explore the societal implications of AI.

Higher education leaders, researchers and practitioners are invited to attend.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Tim J. Gabel, president and CEO of RTI International; Connie Ledoux Book, president of ���ϲ�����; and Brian Southwell, distinguished fellow and conference co-organizer at RTI.

“AI is transforming how we work, think and solve problems; at the same time, it’s still people who drive purpose and impact,” Gabel said. “We’re proud to co-host this gathering of thought leaders at our headquarters in RTP, where science and innovation meet real-world challenges. Together, we’ll explore how the human edge—our capacity for critical thinking, creativity, empathy and ethical judgment—improves the use of AI.”

Participants will explore relationships between AI and modern approaches to education, workforce development, human agency, creativity, well-being and governance. Attendees will create a shared research agenda that supports responsible development and use of AI technologies.

“As AI sweeps through workplaces and higher education, we are called to balance our important work in this new environment with keeping human skills and sensibilities at the forefront of all we do,” Book said. “This conference will help chart a path forward by developing a research agenda that expands and evaluates new tools that serve the highest purposes of human endeavor.”

The program will feature keynote addresses, lightning talks and breakout discussions on topics including AI governance, workforce transformation and the impact of intelligent systems on mental and physical health.

As AI sweeps through workplaces and higher education, we are called to balance our important work in this new environment with keeping human skills and sensibilities at the forefront of all we do.

– ���ϲ����� President Connie Ledoux Book

Featured speakers include: 

• Beth Simone Noveck, professor of experiential AI at Northeastern University, director of the GovLab, and author of the forthcoming book “Reboot: The Race to Save Democracy with AI”, will discuss the impact of AI on democracy and collective problem-solving.
• Erich Huang, head of clinical informatics at Verily (Google’s life sciences subsidiary) and chief science & innovation officer for Unduo/Verily, will discuss the latest trends in AI and healthcare innovations and how they will affect human well-being.
• James Boyle, William Neal Reynolds Professor of Law at Duke University and author of “The Line: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Personhood”, will offer insight on the legal and philosophical issues raised by intelligent agents.
• Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center at ���ϲ�����, will report a new survey covering public views about the impact of AI on key human capacities and attributes.

Katie Bowler Young, senior director of university collaborations at RTI International, will facilitate a session featuring senior leaders from Duke University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the National Humanities Center focusing on their institutions’ AI capabilities.

The event is supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Knight Foundation, and Schmidt Sciences, and is organized by the Imagining the Digital Future Center at ���ϲ�����, RTI’s Fellows Program and RTI’s University Collaboration Office.