RTI International and Elon University to host conference on the future of artificial intelligence

Experts to explore humanity’s role in AI and develop a research agenda for responsible innovation

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — 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.

“The Human Edge: Our Future with Artificial Intelligences” will be co-hosted by RTI, an independent scientific research institute, and Elon University. 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. Keynote remarks will be livestreamed for virtual attendees.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Tim J. Gabel, president and CEO of RTI International; Connie Ledoux Book, president of Elon University; and Brian Southwell, Ph.D., Distinguished Fellow at RTI and conference co-organizer.

“AI is transforming how we work, think and solve problems; at the same time, it’s still people who drive purpose and impact,” said Gabel. “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,” said Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book. “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.

Featured speakers include:

• Beth Simone Noveck, Professor of Experiential AI at Northeastern University and Director of the GovLab; 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, Elon University, 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 RTI University Collaborations, will moderate a forward-looking set of lightning talks by leaders at regional universities and the National Humanities Center sharing their institutional capabilities in AI. 

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 Elon University, RTI’s Fellows Program and RTI’s University Collaboration Office.

Advance RSVP is required.

Register for in-person attendance by Sept. 8

Register for virtual attendance or access to the livestream by Sept. 15

Learn more about the conference