Summer 2026

Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI Conference @ UMW, July 22-23

Lance Eaton, Keynote

Undergraduate AI Research Projects for Research and Creativity Day

April 24th 1:30-3:00 pm Weatherly Wing Seacobeck

2025-2026 Public Debates

Topic AI & the Environment – a public debate on Tuesday, September 16th, at 3:30 in the HCC Digital Auditorium.

Topic: “AI’s net impact on the environment over the next decade will be negative.”

Debaters:
Prof. Kaitlyn Haynal (Communication)
Prof. Mike Reno (Philosophy)

The faculty debaters will present their opening speeches and ask one another questions about their respective positions. We will then open it up for questions and comments from the audience. We will conclude with brief speeches by the faculty debaters, followed by a reflection on the topic. Our goal is to inform the audience on the topic and promote civil discourse and discussion on an issue that affects us all.

Topic: UMW Should Become an AI University, Feb. 4th 2026

Topic: Creativity and AI

AI & Creativity – a discussion of key propositions

Resolved: UMW should ban AI from art classes and the creative arts.

Wednesday, March 25 | 3:30 PM | Weatherly Wing, Seacobeck Hall

Panelists: J.D. Swerzenski (CDS) and Jason Robinson (Studio Art) Moderator: Anand Rao

This is not a standard pro- vs. con- debate. Instead, it’s a structured, claim-by-claim examination of how AI is affecting creative work and creative education — led by two faculty members who work at the intersection of technology and artistic practice every day.

The audience will vote at the start on the central question, then watch as J.D. and Jason respond to a series of bold, headline-style claims — the kind you see from AI companies and in broader cultural conversations about art and technology:

  • “AI democratizes art production.”
  • “AI pushes art in new directions.”
  • “AI can act as a creative partner.”
  • “AI handles the busy work, freeing more time for creativity.

2025-2026 Lectures

Sean O’Brien (Internet2 VP, UMW alum, and UMW AI Expert-in-Residence):

PREPARING FOR THE STORM: Leadership in an Age of AI Acceleration

March 10th, 2026

Lee Hall 411

Sean O'Brien standing near a window. Event Title PREPARING FOR THE STORM: Leadership in an Age of AI Acceleration Speaker Sean O’Brien UMW AI Expert-in-Residence Event Details Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM Location: Lee Hall 411 Sponsored by: University of Mary Washington Center for AI and the Liberal Arts

Dr. Eric Bonds, Using Virginia FOIA to Investigate Data Center Policy, Transparency, and Environmental Impacts, Feb. 19th, 2026

Dr. Alan Coverstone, “Reclaiming Human Intelligence in the Age of AI: Plural Futures for Education and Society,” October 29, 2025 at 7pm in the Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom. Open to the public.