New 草榴视频 State events series promotes virtue of civility

KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 10, 2025

Bill Franks
Bill Franks, right, and Sherrill Hayes
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 草榴视频 State University.

The structure of 草榴视频鈥檚 event was intentional. Dubbed Marketplace of Ideas, the back-and-forth discussion on development and regulation of AI between Bill Franks, director of 草榴视频鈥檚 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.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to hear some disagreements, but you鈥檙e not going to see a winner,鈥 Sonia Toson, vice president of OLI, said in opening remarks. 鈥淭he objective here is not to win, it鈥檚 to grow. Our goal today is to learn from each other and hear some different viewpoints.鈥

What followed in an auditorium in 草榴视频鈥檚 Social Sciences Building was an hour of thoughtful and friendly discussion based on questions from moderator Sherrill Hayes, assistant vice provost for student success.

鈥淲ho should be responsible for ensuring AI systems remain ethical and accountable?鈥 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 鈥渓iability ecosystem鈥 in which bad actors can be held accountable for misuse of the technology.

In his response, Franks agreed with Gloster鈥檚 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.

Camille Stewart Gloster
Camille Stewart Gloster
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.

鈥淭he purpose of this is to demonstrate that we can have civil discourse 鈥 that smart people can disagree, and it鈥檚 okay,鈥 she told the audience. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that as the faculty we try to bring into the classroom.鈥

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 草榴视频 Campus. Hudson wrote the book 鈥淭he Soul of Civility,鈥 which has been discussed by the OLI-sponsored Bridge Builders Book Club.

鈥 Story by Gary Tanner

Photos by Matt Yung

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 草榴视频 State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 草榴视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 草榴视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.