Symposium on Artificial Intelligence Anxiety to be Held at the University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is preparing to host a comprehensive symposium titled "AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing Symposium" to address the anxieties experienced by youth in the face of artificial intelligence and to lay the groundwork for a new undergraduate course that other universities can also utilize. The gathering, to be held at the Contemplative Commons on November 18-19, will bring together technology experts, educators, religious leaders, and traditional contemplative practice specialists.

According to a survey published in August by the Pew Research Center, 55 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 feel more anxious than excited about artificial intelligence in daily life. While this represents the first majority in the survey's history, the symposium will address three main stress responses: maintaining control over personal choices, sustaining personal and social well-being, and envisioning a healthy future with artificial intelligence.

Speakers participating in the event include Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, Anton Korinek from Anthropic, Outdoorithm founder and CEO Sally Steele, Father Michael Baggot from the Vatican, data scientist Shiva Jahani, Tudor Investment Corporation founder Paul Tudor Jones, and the 10th president of the University of Virginia, Scott Beardsley.