Ariana Huffington and Steve Wozniak to Discuss Artificial Intelligence in the 2025-26 Compelling Perspectives Series
In 2023, Lehigh University launched the Compelling Perspectives series, a forum for civil discourse on critical issues affecting society. This year, the theme is AI: Innovation, Responsibility, and the Future We Shape, and it promises to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on humanity and who is responsible for shaping its future.
President Joseph J. Helble '82 expressed excitement about the speakers and their insights on AI. One of the scheduled discussions will feature Arianna Huffington, a renowned figure who served as the editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post until 2016. Time magazine has named her to its list of the world's 100 most influential people, and Forbes has included her on its most powerful women list.
On September 23, Arianna Huffington will visit Lehigh University at 5 p.m. in Baker Hall at Zoellner Arts Center. She will discuss the human side of AI, a topic that presents complex challenges, including ethical dilemmas, workforce disruptions, privacy concerns, questions about bias, and accountability.
Advance registration is required for this event. Space is limited, so it's recommended to register by September 15 to reserve your spot.
AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries, economies, and society itself. As AI development is largely driven by corporate and business interests, the responsibility for ensuring it serves humanity's best interests is a topic of discussion.
It's a collective duty: AI developers, organizations, and users must embed ethical safeguards and maintain oversight. Legal and regulatory frameworks provide necessary governance to ensure AI benefits humanity without causing harm. Developers and organizations must embed ethical principles such as fairness, transparency, privacy, and accountability throughout the AI lifecycle.
In professional contexts, practitioners bear ultimate responsibility for verifying AI outputs before relying on them, ensuring AI acts as an assistant and not a substitute, and maintaining ethical standards. The adoption of global frameworks and standards like ISO/IEC 42001 helps organizations implement responsible AI management systems ensuring trustworthiness and accountability.
A brief Q&A with the audience will follow the discussion. Further information on the January event featuring Steve Wozniak will be shared closer to the date. The program was designed to amplify varying viewpoints on timely topics shaping our world.
[1] Ethical Guidelines for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
[2] The AI Act: Proposed Regulation for Artificial Intelligence in the European Union
[3] The Future of Ethics in Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Lawyers and Legal Scholars
[4] ISO/IEC 42001:2021 – Information technology — Governance for IT-enabled systems — Ethics, privacy, and trust
[5] Responsible AI: A Practical Guide
- Lehigh University's Compelling Perspectives series, focusing on AI, aims to explore the ethical aspects of AI development, as it is primarily driven by corporate and business interests.
- In the wake of advancing AI technology, it's essential for alumni, organizations, and developers to embed ethical principles such as fairness, transparency, privacy, and accountability throughout the AI lifecycle.
- The Zoellner Arts Center campus will host a discussion with Arianna Huffington on the human side of AI, addressing complex challenges like ethical dilemmas, workforce disruptions, and questions about bias and accountability.
