Generative artificial intelligence is a topic that has launched sometimes heated debates around the world. Last week, however, generative AI was a topic of a discussion held with respect and collegiality at Kennesaw State University. 

The structure of KSU’s event was intentional. Dubbed Marketplace of Ideas, the back-and-forth discussion on development and regulation of AI between director of KSU’s Center for Data Science and Analytics, and cybersecurity attorney Camille Stewart Gloster kicked off the Civility Series. A program of the Division of Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership and Institutional Development (OLI), the Civility Series is a slate of events meant to promote and model the virtue of civility within the university community.

“You’re going to hear some disagreements, but you’re not going to see a winner,” Sonia Toson, vice president of OLI, said in opening remarks. “The objective here is not to win, it’s to grow. Our goal today is to learn from each other and hear some different viewpoints.”

What followed in an auditorium in KSU’s Social Sciences Building was an hour of thoughtful and friendly discussion based on questions from moderator Sherrill Hayes, assistant vice provost for student success.

“Who should be responsible for ensuring AI systems remain ethical and accountable?” he asked to start the program.

In her three-minute answer, Gloster said every stakeholder has a duty to make sure that AI remains responsible and ethical. She advocated for sensible government regulation and a “liability ecosystem” in which bad actors can be held accountable for misuse of the technology.

In his response, Franks agreed with Gloster’s assessment, and emphasized the importance of promoting ethical behavior within the generative AI industry through creation of standards and bodies that certify and enforce those standards.

Over the remainder of the program, Franks and Gloster discussed innovation in generative AI, copyright protections, and more issues that have generated discussion of the emerging technology.

In the end, they crossed the stage and shook hands.

Toson said the event was a success.

“The purpose of this is to demonstrate that we can have civil discourse – that smart people can disagree, and it’s okay,” she told the audience. “That’s something that as the faculty we try to bring into the classroom.”

In addition to Marketplace of Ideas, which is the continuation of a series first launched in 2013, the Civility Series included a small-group topical discussion called Civility and a Snack held on the Marietta Campus on Tuesday.

Next up in the Civility Series is an event called Bridging Divides Through Civility, an author talk by Alexandra Hudson from 10-11:30 a.m. on April 24 in the University Rooms of the Carmichael Student Center on the Kennesaw Campus. Hudson wrote the book “The Soul of Civility,” which has been discussed by the OLI-sponsored Bridge Builders Book Club.