Artificial Intelligence “Playing God?”

Artificial Intelligence “Playing God?” | Theological, Ethical & Pastoral Perspectives.

In 2014, Elon Musk told a crowd at MIT “With AI we are summoning the demon“! Is such technological advancement an ally or an adversary? And is it moral, amoral, or immoral? Should the rapid emergence of AI be welcomed with cheer, criticism, or caution? If we can harness AI for the enrichment of biotechnology, education, and religion, then what might be the ethical and practical repercussions for our communities and churches? Join us in a conversation with leading scientists, bioethicists, and theologians. 

Panel Speakers:

Constantinos Daskalakis is a Professor of Computer Science at MIT, working on Algorithms, Game Theory, Economics, Probability Theory, and Machine Learning. His work has resolved long-standing problems about the computational complexity of Nash equilibrium and multi-item auctions and now focuses on machine learning. He has received several distinguished awards including, in 2018, the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize from the International Mathematical Union.

Theo Nicolakis, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is the Chief Information Officer for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. With advanced degrees in theology and technology management, he has guided technological innovation and leveraged technological disruptions for the Orthodox Church over three decades. He founded the GOARCH.org website, Online Chapel, GOA mobile apps, and AppleTV services, serving also as CIO for the Holy and Great Council.

Constantine Psimopoulos is a trained kinesiologist and bioethicist, currently teaching Bioethics and Responsible Conduct of Science at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and Research Ethics at Johns Hopkins and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, he is affiliated with the Center for Bioethics at HMS, researching public health ethics, social justice, AI, and theological bioethics.

Gayle Woloschak is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Before that, she was a Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. Her current research is in the areas of radiation biology and nanotechnology. She received her Ph.D. from the Medical College of Ohio and completed her postdoctoral training at Mayo Clinic. She also holds a D.Min. in Eastern Christian Studies from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Agenda:

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Registration and Reception

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Introductions | Fr. John Chryssavgis

AI and its limitations | Dr. Daskalakis

AI and its social-ethical dimensions | Dr. Psimopoulos

AI and its bioethical dimensions | Dr. Woloschak

AI and its pastoral dimensions | Mr. Nicolakis

Q&A

This event is free and open to the public.

Live-streamed | Recorded | Register by filling out the form below or send us an email at hei@hchc.edu.