This year’s annual Ethics and Responsible Business Forum will focus on the current hot topic of artificial intelligence.

“AI: The New Game Changer in Education” will feature internationally known keynote speaker Alejo Jose G. Sison and a panel discussion with students and faculty members.

Sison is past president of both the European Business Ethics Network and the U.S.-based Society for Business Ethics.

Forum organizing committee chair Caleb Bernacchio, a CSUMB assistant professor of business etthics, said Sison gave an impressive speech keynote address at last year’s Society for Business Ethics Convention on the subject of AI.

“He’s neither a booster nor a knocker,” Bernacchio said. “He’s not skeptical of AI but he also sees that it raises serious questions about how this is going to affect work. Is there a danger of dehumanizing people?”

On a more practical level, he said, “It’s a pressing topic for students and faculty. I don’t think anyone has any good answers to the questions it raises. How can we incorporate new technology into the classroom responsibly and prepare our students?”

He said he expects the panelists to delve into these issues. The audience will also have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments. 

“I think students will get some more clarity about its impact and what they can expect and how they can use AI,” Bernacchio said. 

“I don’t think anyone has a good sense of how this is going to impact day-to-day life in the classroom,” he added. “This will hopefully give them some kind of guidance.”

The forum is an online event from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. Registration is online.