Clemson University is hosting its first annual Law and Society Symposium from September 22-24, 2026, focusing on the critical question of creative ownership in the age of AI. The symposium, organized by the College of Arts and Humanities, will delve into property rights, copyright law, AI technology applications, and its impact on labor and intellectual development. This free event is open to the public, students, faculty, and staff, with registration encouraged.
Keynote Speakers
The symposium features three distinguished keynote speakers. Matthew Sag from Emory University School of Law, an expert in fair-use and copyright related to AI, will present "Being Human in the Loop." Jeremy Sheff, director of the Intellectual Property Law Center at St. John’s University School of Law, will deliver a keynote titled "What is Intelligence For?" The event will conclude with a virtual address and discussion by Micaela Mantegna, a TED Fellow and AI policy expert known as "Abogamer." In addition to these keynotes, Clemson University faculty from philosophy, computing, communication, and English will lead various panel discussions and talks, offering a comprehensive exploration of AI's implications. The organizer, Ben White, expressed excitement for the valuable conversations this gathering will foster for anyone interested in artificial intelligence.
About the College of Arts and Humanities
The College of Arts and Humanities at Clemson University focuses on human condition exploration, encouraging students to engage with diverse fields like culture, history, literature, and performance. It emphasizes developing crucial career skills such as critical thinking, effective writing, confident expression, and respectful interaction. The college is dedicated to providing expert teaching in supportive environments, preparing students to confidently face the complexities of the modern world.
About the Sponsors
Loebsack and Brownlee PLLC, a committed member of the Clemson community, sponsors the symposium to invest in future legal professionals. Their initiatives include a Pre-Law Internship Program, the Kaplan LSAT Scholarship Program, and an endowment for the annual Lectures in Law & Humanities Series, alongside supporting this new Law & Society Symposium. These programs aim to create opportunities for law-interested students and build professional connections. The Clemson Humanities Hub, an outreach effort by the Humanities Advancement Board, promotes the scholarly, teaching, and outreach activities of the Humanities. It coordinates and publicizes Humanities events, fostering academic inquiry, serving as an incubator for scholarship, and upholding humanities pedagogy. The Hub provides historical perspective, cultural awareness, and considerations of value in knowledge creation, application, and preservation, connecting faculty and undergraduate scholars with funding opportunities.
