Upcoming Events & Programming
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Guest Lecture: Mary Anne Franks, Sept. 15th 2026, 4 pm
Mary Anne Franks, author of Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment (Bold Type Books, 2024), Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Civil Rights Law at the George Washington University Law School and an internationally recognized expert on the intersection of civil rights, free speech, and technology will be joining us for a talk on Sept. 15th, 2026 at 4pm in the Weatherly Wing of Seacobeck Hall.
Visit from Fairfax County Schools Debaters, October 1st, 4pm
Panel on Politics and AI, October 15th 2026
Guest Lecture: Mona Sloane, Oct. 21st 2026, 4pm
Mona Sloane, author of Predicted: How AI Is Restructuring Society, Assistant Professor of Data Science and Media Studies at the University of Virginia, will be joining us for a talk on Oct. 21st, 2026 at 4pm in the Weatherly Wing of Seacobeck Hall.
Braver Angels Debate on Data Centers, Nov. 18th 2026, 6pm
Past Events
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
Past 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: AI and Copyright – a public debate took place on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 at 3:30 in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing.
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.
Past 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
