Past Events

2026 Conference: Value & Responsibility in AI Technologies

Up-to-date proceedings are now live!
Digital Conference Proceedings

Gonzaga University's second annual Value & Responsibility in AI Technologies Conference
Date/Time: Thursday, April 23, 2026 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Location: Hemmingson Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom. 702 E. Desmet Ave. Spokane, WA 99202

This year’s conference will address three themes through panels and discussions with industry leaders, educators, scholars and healthcare leadership; Personal Identity and Meaning, Learning and Education, and the Future of the Workforce. Look for additional events and workshops throughout the week of April 20-24.

Who Should Attend?

This event convenes scholars, students, thought leaders in education, INW industry professionals and global tech leaders to explore the impact of AI on our identity, educational practices, and the evolving landscape of work.

  • Gonzaga Faculty, Staff and Students: Free
  • Other (non-GU) students: $10
  • Educators (K-12 teachers, Other University employees): $35
  • Washington State Educators - For 100% discount, enter school email and use code GATESVR26
  • Industry and General Public: $75

Conference Agenda

Time Topic
8 a.m. Registration check-in open Coffee, fruit and pastries
9 a.m. Welcome, Jay Yang, Ph.D, Reisenauer Family Director | Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology
9:05 a.m. Opening remarks, Katia Passerini, Gonzaga University President
9:15 a.m. A Jesuit approach to Responsible AI, Dr. Anthony Fisher, Ph.D, Department of Philosophy, Gonzaga University
9:45 a.m. Open Group Discussion and Activity
 

How might our sense of self and human autonomy be shaped by AI? Explore how individuals and society can cultivate flourishing and authenticity in a world increasingly influenced by intelligent tech.

Time Topic
10:00a.m. Panel on faith and spirituality in the age of AI
Moderator:
  • Anthony Fisher
Panel:
  • Fr. Tim Clancy, SJ, Gonzaga
  • Fr. Brendan McGuire, Saint Simon Church
  • Fr. Evaristus Ekwueme, SJ, Georgetown University
11 a.m. Student perspectives
Moderator:
  • Azer Bitanga, Business Administration
Panel:
  • Izzy Tilles, Computer Science
  • Kaelyn Wellman, Philosophy
  • Bella Realmuto, Political Science
  • Aiden O’Brien, Human Physiology
  • Kazu Betzler, MBA, Business
12:00 p.m.  Thank You from CAS Dean Jacquie Van Hoomisenn
 12:05 p.m.  Lunch Break: Buffet Lunch Included with Registration
 

Examine how AI is transforming learning strategies, teaching practices and driving pedagogical innovation. Consider how AI is disrupting traditional education, challenging the value of existing outcomes and creating opportunity for more customized and interactive experiences.

Time Topic
1 p.m. Educating in the Age of AI
Moderator:
  • Jay Yang, Institute for Informatics at GU
Panel:
  • Anny Fritzen Case, Gonzaga University
  • Chase Bollig, Gonzaga University
  • Casey Wilhelm, University of Idaho
  • Aaron Wolf, Colgate University
2:00 p.m. AI Technologies for Educators
Moderator:
  • Justin Marquis, Ph.D, Director of Instructional Design and Delivery at GU
Panel:
  • Taylor Black, Director, AI & Emerging Technologies Institute, Catholic University; AI & Venture Ecosystems, Microsoft
  • Jay Yang, Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology, Gonzaga University
  • Narcisa Codreanu, Trust & Safety Initiatives, Playlab AI
 3:00 - 3:15 p.m.   Break
 

Ask how organizations are preparing leadership and individuals to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape of technologies, challenging not just how we work but the purpose of work itself. Discover how AI is transforming workforce expectations and redefining essential skills.

Time Topic
3:15 p.m. Professions, Professional Development and Leadership
Moderator:
  • Dave Reisenauer, IIAT Advisory Council Chair, Formerly of Nvidia and IBM
Panel:
  • Brett Spooner, Gravis Law
  • Kellen Sorauf, Regis University
  • Matt Hoag, accounting; Gonzaga University
  • Grace Yee, Adobe
4:15 p.m. Healthcare in the Age of AI
Moderator:
  • Sean Kassen, University of Notre Dame
Panel:
  • Cyrus Olsen, Scranton University
  • Mark Graves, University of San Francisco
  • Scott Hulse, USAF, MC.
    5:15 p.m. Reflections with Anthony Fisher and Jay Yang
    5:30-7:00 p.m. Student Research and Entrepreneurship Showcase
    Happy Hour Reception
     

    2025 Conference: Value & Responsibility in AI Technologies

    April 3 & 4, 2025

    Decorative Image with a hand and Ai Ethics text.

    AI technologies are drastically reshaping society, thereby raising urgent ethical questions about such values as privacy, security, fairness, safety, and accountability. While AI holds immense potential for good, it risks harm through misuse, bias, and careless implementation. Because of its pervasive import, it is more than timely that we should engage in reflective and critical thought on its ethical underpinnings.

    This conference brings together scholars from diverse disciplines (Philosophy, Political Science, Computer Science, Law, Business) and industry experts (Adobe, Google) to explore ethical challenges and develop solutions for responsible, values-driven AI. One overarching goal of the conference is to examine how we can ensure AI technologies serve the common good and uphold principles of democracy, equity, social justice, human dignity and care for the planet.

    The conference is organized by the Department of Philosophy and the Institute of Informatics and Applied Technology.

    View the Conference Agenda (PDF)
    Access Conference Repository
     

    Thank you to our Gonzaga sponsoring partners: