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Cameron University has announced the slate of guest speakers for its 13th academic festival, “Being Human in the Age of AI,” that kicks off later this month and runs through Spring 2027. The impressive roster includes experts and researchers whose work examines the benefits and perils of artificial intelligence.
Speakers’ presentations will cover topics ranging from how artificial intelligence is transforming modern warfare to how the Oklahoma government utilizes AI for state agency modernization, along with the ethical considerations, safety, and security risks associated with artificial intelligence. Each speaker will conduct a students-only session in the afternoon, followed by a public presentation in the evening. Most community presentations will be held at the University Theatre on the Lawton campus, with one exception at the Simmons Center on September 10. All public presentations commence at 7:00 p.m.
Tai Phan, the first Chief Artificial Intelligence and Technology Officer for the State of Oklahoma, will inaugurate Festival XIII on Thursday, August 29. His topic is tentatively titled, “Using Artificial Intelligence to Amplify Human Potential.” Phan spearheads the state government’s strategy for deploying AI and digital modernization across over 150 agencies, boards, and commissions. He oversees AI systems in public safety, health, transportation, and financial services, and is responsible for establishing ethical standards, safeguards, and best practices to ensure transparency and data privacy.
September features two presentations. The first is by former Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson, currently president of Americans for Responsible Innovation. This advocacy group promotes responsible governance and safety for technologies like AI. Carson will speak in Duncan on September 10 at the Simmons Center on “Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence.” Angus Fletcher will follow on September 17 at the University Theatre, addressing “What Distinguishes Us from AI.” Fletcher, a story science practitioner with dual degrees in neuroscience and literature, researches the psychological effects of narrative technologies and how literature, art, and stories can enhance innovation, resilience, and joy, particularly in contrast to AI.
Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security, an award-winning author and former U.S. Army Ranger, will speak on October 24. He previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he contributed to autonomous weapons policy. Scharre, who holds a Ph.D. in War Studies and was named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in AI” in 2023, will discuss “AI and Warfare” at Cameron.
Brian Christian, renowned for his bestselling books on the human and social implications of computer science and artificial intelligence, will present on January 23, 2027, in the University Theatre. His works, including The Most Human Human and The Alignment Problem, explore human nature through communication and language tests, and delve into the ethics, safety challenges, and moral questions surrounding AI. His talk will be titled “What Artificial Intelligence Teaches Us About Being Alive.”
The festival will conclude with computer scientist, author, and professor Roman Yampolskiy on March 2, 2027. Yampolskiy is a leading expert in artificial intelligence safety, security, and cybersecurity, and the founder and director of the Cyber Security Lab. He specializes in AI safety, AI alignment, existential risk, behavioral biometrics, and digital forensics. Known for his argument that artificial superintelligence is fundamentally uncontrollable, his works include Artificial Superintelligence: A Futurist Approach, Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security, and AI: Unexplainable, Unpredictable, Uncontrollable.
Cameron’s academic festival series, initiated in 1991, quickly gained popularity and became a regular triennial event. Each festival explores an academic theme or societal issue through a variety of special events and campus activities, typically including lectures, exhibits, conferences, symposia, workshops, concerts, and theatrical productions, though there is no rigid format.
The inaugural festival focused on the Renaissance. Subsequent themes have encompassed globalization, health, expectations for the 21st century, Middle East complexities, sustainability, and evolving American identities. Distinguished past speakers include professor Cornel West, media personalities James Burke, Al Roker, Michele Norris and Fareed Zakaria; Nobel Prize recipients Oscar Arias and Paul Krugman; retired generals Stanley McChrystal and Jack Keane; actor/activist Ed Begley; former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders; author George Will; former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; and celebrity chef Rick Bayless.
The primary sponsor of CU’s academic festival series is The McCasland Foundation of Duncan. Additional financial support has been provided by the McCasland/Amquest Bank Endowed Chair, the Cameron University Foundation, and the CU Lectures and Concert Series. All festival events are open to the public.