Let Us Calculate: Humanity and the Project of AI

Alongside astonishing advances in AI capabilities, a growing trend is emerging under the rubric of ethics and the “alignment problem,” as a response to the limitations, biases, and failures of AI systems —failures that occur when AI is meant to solve a problem but solves the wrong problem or solves the problem wrong. This tension cannot be addressed only through technical solutions. Rather, it should be treated as a set of social, institutional, and perspectival issues with broad participation from various groups. In this talk, I explore the outlines of such an approach by proposing a shift toward pragmatic AI.

Speaker: Hamid Ekbia (Syracuse University and Founding Director- Academic Alliance for AI Policy)

This event will be held in person and virtually. To stream the colloquium, please click the Webcast button above. The password is CgcG97CJ43t.

The goal of STScI Engineering and Technology Colloquia is to provide speakers for our community of the highest caliber from leading-edge engineering and technology disciplines and promote collaboration with professionals across the Institute. The steering committee invites speakers not only from conventional engineering disciplines, but from across business, academia, and government. Obtaining speakers with perspectives and knowledge that can enrich the understanding of our staff and simultaneously enhance their connections with other professionals across the nation is fundamental to ensuring STScI remains at the forefront of its mission.

Please direct questions or comments to seatc@stsci.edu. The 2026 committee members are Aasif Chanandin, Reena DeBerry, Melody Easton, Sherita Hanna, Aiden Kovacs, Donald McLean, Lauretta Nagel (Chair), Susan Reed, Michael Register, Justin Trammell.