OCTOBER 23-25, 2025 - HTA Conference: The Humanities and Technology Association, an interdisciplinary scholarly society that explores the impact of technology on human life from a broad range of perspectives, will host a 3-day conference at Salve Regina University.  In addition to a keynote speaker, John Symons, a broad range of scholars will share papers and/or panel discussions that investigate the cultural interaction of the humanities, science, engineering, and technology.

The modern “project” – emerging as it did sometime during the Renaissance and stretching at least as far as the Industrial Revolution if not to the present day – was largely fueled by a vision of scientific progress wedded, for better or worse, to technological innovation and the supposed betterment of humankind. Perhaps best envisioned by Francis Bacon, the techno-scientific optimism that drove this project has largely proceeded unquestioned, save the likes of a Ned Ludd, Charles Dickens, or Jaques Ellul – voices in the wilderness who were at least noted, if not heeded. But now we come to it: a moment in our history (perhaps the end of history?) when the rapid development of AI, undeniable changes in the climate, threats of advanced weaponry, and challenges of global migration force us to ask whether technology is the problem or solution, our nemesis or our best hope, our damnation or salvation? This conference will feature treatments on this subject from all disciplines and perspectives with the hope that conference itself will provide an opportunity for fruitful dialogue that considers the place of technology in our uncertain futures.   

The purchase of one ticket includes the events on all 3 days.

Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Ochre Court 

2:00 p.m. Conference check-in 

2:30 p.m. AI Sbake Oil Panel Discussion  

4:00 p.m. Keynote Address; John Symons, University of Kansas; Professor in Department of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Cyber Social Dynamics 

5:30 p.m. Opening Reception 

Friday, October 24 – 2025 – McKillop Library 

9:15 a.m.   AI and Care (room 116) 

                   AI and Pedagogy I (room 220) 

10:30 a.m. Technology & Alienation (room 116) 

                    A Place for Virtue? (room 220) 

12 noon Lunch (atrium) 

1:00 p.m. AI and Pedagogy II (room 116) 

                   Considerations of Race: Then & Now (room 220) 

2:15 p.m. The Perils of AI (room 116) 

                   Preserving Creativity (room 220) 

3:30 p.m. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on AI (room 220) 

Saturday, October 26, 2025 – Gerety Hall/McKillop Library 

8:30 a.m.   Breakfast available until 10 am 

10:30 a.m. Bringing in the Polis (room 116) 

                    Digital Utopia or Dystopia? (room 220) 

11:45 a.m. Human Development (room 116) 

                    Liberation: Human or Machine? (room 220) 

1:00 p.m. HTA Board Meeting-open to all attendees (room 116)

If you are traveling from out of town, please find Salve Regina's  hotel partners here: Salve Regina University – Campus Travel Management