When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 6 PM to 8 PM ET (doors will open at 5:30 PM)
Where: Shriver Hall, Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus,
3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Parking: Directions are available for the South Garage and Shriver Hall.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has undeniably made its way into modern education, sparking complex discussions on college campuses across the nation. Surveys indicate that although a significant number of college students use AI tools frequently, opinions diverge significantly on whether these technologies serve as beneficial aids or obstacles to genuine learning.
Concerns have arisen regarding a reported increase in academic dishonesty, with professors finding it increasingly challenging to identify AI-generated responses. There is a growing apprehension that reliance on AI technologies might lead to cognitive offloading for students, potentially resulting in adverse impacts that extend far beyond simply receiving unsatisfactory grades.
Conversely, proponents of AI view it as a valuable resource, citing its capabilities for personalized tutoring and its functions in educational tools, such as flashcards and quizzes. Additionally, as AI continues to permeate various industries, ensuring that students can effectively leverage AI within their specific fields may prove vital for success following their college years.
As academic institutions, educators, and students navigate this surging wave of innovative technology, a pivotal question arises: Will Generative AI Stunt or Enhance College Learning?
Reserve your free ticket today! All participants are welcomed to join a post-debate gathering.
Participants in the Debate:
Focusing on the “Enhance” perspective:
- Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of Humane Intelligence PBC and Former U.S. Science Envoy for Artificial Intelligence.
- Ravi Pendse, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Michigan.
Challenging the “Stunt” viewpoint:
- Cathy O’Neil, Mathematician and Data Scientist.
- Gary Marcus, Noted Authority on AI and Professor Emeritus at NYU; Author of the “Marcus on AI” Substack.
The debate will be moderated by the Emmy Award-winning journalist John Donvan.
This lively discussion will form part of the Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute Fall 2026 Symposium: Artificial Intelligence and Human Learning, and it will be streamed live for a global audience via Open to Debate’s YouTube channel, podcast platforms, Substack, and across more than 250 NPR stations.
The Hopkins Forum Series
This event represents the seventh installment of The Hopkins Forum series, a collaboration between Open to Debate and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. This flagship series showcases live debates in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, aiming to bring diverse perspectives to the forefront of critical contemporary issues.
