2026 Tech Ethics Symposium
Constructing Community, Deconstructing AI: Storytelling, Solidarity, and Faith
November 5-6, 2026
Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center and Online
Save the dates for the Grefenstette Center for Ethics seventh annual Tech Ethics Symposium! This event is co-sponsored by the Patricia Doherty Yoder Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism and Media.
The Symposium will feature expert speakers, panel discussions, and, a perennial favorite, the Student Research Poster competition. This year's schedule will also include a special community storytelling event. See the program details below.
Registration for the 2026 Tech Ethics Symposium is open! Registration is Free and open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members! Attend in person or experience the Symposium via Zoom webinar.
Symposium Details
Program
The 2026 Tech Ethics Symposium will be held Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 in the Dougherty Ballroom in the Power Center on the Duquesne University campus.
| Thursday, November 5 | |
|---|---|
| 1:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks, Dougherty Ballroom |
| 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. |
The Magnifica Humanitas Effect: Pope Leo, AI, and American Catholicism, Dougherty Ballroom
|
| 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Break and Snack, Shepperson Suite |
| 2:45 - 4:00 p.m. |
Storytelling and Solidarity in the Time of AI, Dougherty Ballroom
|
| 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Reception and Top Undergraduate Student Research Posters, Shepperson Suite |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
Mosaic Storytelling Night, Spiritan Room, Gormley Student Union |
| Friday, November 6 | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. | Continental Breakfast, Welcome, and Opening Remarks, Shepperson Suite and Dougherty Ballroom |
| 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. |
Data Centers, AI, and the Future of Western PA, Dougherty Ballroom
|
| 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Morning Break and Snack, Shepperson Suite |
| 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
AI Resistance and the New Luddite Movement, Dougherty Ballroom
|
| 12:00 - 1:45 p.m. |
Student Research Poster Presentations and Lunch, Shepperson Suite and Dougherty Ballroom |
| 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. |
How to Save Human Artists from AI Extinction, Dougherty Ballroom
|
| 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. |
Afternoon Break and Snack, Shepperson Suite |
| 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. |
Student Research Poster Competition Awards Presentation, Dougherty Ballroom |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. |
Own the Compute, Own the Models, Own the Data: AI Policy for a Human Future, Dougherty Ballroom
|
Registration
Registration for the 2026 Tech Ethics Symposium is open! Registration is Free and open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members! Attend in person or experience the Symposium via Zoom webinar.
Student Poster Competition
All Pittsburgh area undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit research
posters to present at the 2026 Tech Ethics Symposium on any aspect of technology ethics! All accepted posters will receive an award to offset printing costs. On top of this award, accepted posters will compete for cash prizes in the Undergraduate and Graduate student categories!
Rules & Eligibility:
- Complete the poster submission form and submit the poster by the deadline.
- Submissions may come from individuals or teams. Only one poster per team.
- Poster size must be 36" x 44"
- Posters may come from any academic discipline.
- Any current undergraduate or graduate student, from any university, is eligible to submit a poster.
- If accepted, at least one author must be physically present to present the poster.
- Generative AI may NOT be used to create the poster. All posters will be scanned, and AI-generated posters will be disqualified.
Read the full call for Student Research Posters for the 2026 Tech Ethics Symposium here. The poster submission portal is NOW OPEN! Submission deadline is Friday, October 16.
Parking and Campus Information
Duquesne University is located at 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282. The Tech Ethics Symposium will take place on the fifth floor of the Power Center in the Dougherty Ballroom and Shepperson Suite areas.
If you are driving to the Symposium, you are advised to park in the Chatham Center Garage.
Please refer to this map to assist you in navigating the Duquesne University campus.