2025 Program

Featured Speakers

José Antonio Bowen

Educating Humans to Thrive in an AI World

It is hard to ignore the AI threats to economic, academic, political, environmental and psychological well-being. Higher education, however, finds itself in a unique position to understand and combat these threats: asking better questions and judging answers has always been at the center of a critical thinking education. Education manages the tension between learning to be fully human and preparing for a successful career. Since expertise is also essential to using AI well, we will need to prepare students to be experts in a world where AI can produce better work than many interns. Understanding how we might (or might not) use AI to support human thriving will be essential as we begin the process of maintaining the best of our tradition while rethinking curriculum for a new world.

Why Digital Accessibility Matters Today

Essential for Some, Helpful for All

Currently, there are vague digital accessibility requirements in Section 504 and in the Americans with Disability Act (Title II and Title III). By spring of 2026, there will be specific digital accessibility requirements for most public higher education institutions and any entity receiving funding from the Department of the Health and Human Services, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II) and Section 504 respectfully. Regardless, whether these regulations happen or not, now is the time to be thinking about digital accessibility. We will be discussing the different legal frameworks, what does accessible in the digital environment mean, what content is covered and what are the small and large steps that need to be taken to improve your accessibility.