UW School of Computing to Host ‘AI Experts Panel on Applications and Ethics’ Event Nov. 13

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a significant area of focus in higher education, with faculty and students exploring the ethical and practical implications of tools such as ChatGPT and other AI applications.

The University of Wyoming School of Computing, in collaboration with the UW Artificial Intelligence Committee and the College of Education’s Learning, Design and Technology Program, will host the first-ever “Wyoming-AI Experts Panel on Applications and Ethics” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Engineering Education and Research Building atrium.

The event will explore AI’s diverse uses across disciplines at UW, emphasizing the ethical considerations that arise from its adoption in various fields.  

Panelists for this event are Ken Hanson, an assistant professor of criminal justice and sociology in the UW Sociology Program; Brandon Gellis, an associate professor of visual communication design in the Department of Visual Arts; Karen Gorton, an associate professor and associate dean in the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing; Meredith Minear, an associate professor of cognition and cognitive development in the Department of Psychology; and Mark Peterson, a professor of management and marketing in the College of Business.

“As AI continues to reshape educational practices, we must critically examine its role in teaching, learning and ethical design,” says William Cain, an assistant professor of learning, design and technology in the UW College of Education, who will serve as the event moderator. “Part of my research focuses on how generative AI tools can be integrated into learning experience designs while fostering ethical thinking. I am particularly interested in how we can ensure responsible AI use that prioritizes human well-being and ethical decision-making.”

Cain is an accomplished scholar and educator specializing in learning, design and technology. Currently serving as both a Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Fellow and an Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellow, he is dedicated to advancing ethical practices in AI and technology integration within educational environments.

Cain is actively engaged in developing frameworks for embedding ethical considerations into graduate programs, particularly regarding generative AI in learning experience design. His work includes collaborations with industry partners and academic institutions to ensure that AI ethics modules remain aligned with evolving industry standards. Cain also is a key contributor to the School of Computing’s National Science Foundation proposal titled “Science, Technology and Experiential Learning with Wyoming Data” that aims to enhance data literacy in Wyoming’s workforce.

Hanson says he researches generative AI users who communicate with chatbots for their emotional, intimate and even sexual needs.

“I am interested in the advantages of AI companions for people who are socially isolated, disabled, LGBTQ+, living with mental health issues and more,” Hanson says. “But I also am interested in the potential ethical quandaries such relationships pose, especially when we examine how companies and stakeholders develop these technologies without considering their role in fostering social responsibility and accountability, if and when vulnerabilities arise.”

“At UW, we have the ‘green light’ for developing all aspects of AI,” Peterson says.

The event will be limited to 100 attendees. To register, go here. Lunch will be served to registered attendees.

For more information on this event and future events, go to www.uwyo.edu/soc/initiatives/wy-ai.html or email Launa Chavez, School of Computing marketing coordinator, at lchavez8@uwyo.edu.