Author’s Note: The Auburn Plainsman News Reporter, Tripp Hedden, serves as one of the debate contestants.
On April 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama, Auburn honors students will go head-to-head against The University of Alabama honors students in an AI ethics Iron Bowl. This debate is the first of its kind, with 10 cases for both teams to debate.
The event is a collaboration between Auburn's Biggio Center and the Birmingham Urban Studio, which opened in May 2024. The debate is sponsored by 12 organizations, with seven combined organizations being from either Auburn University or The University of Alabama, with one sponsor being Google Cloud.
The Auburn team is made up of 10 students and is spear-headed by Dr. Lindsay Doukopoulos, associate director of the Biggio Center. The University of Alabama has the same amount of members, with their team coached by Dr. Katherine Chiou, associate professor of anthropology at The University of Alabama and co-director of the AI Teaching Enhancement Initiative. Both teams are made up of students with various majors and years in their undergraduate education.
When describing the upcoming Iron Bowl to students in an email, Doukopoulos said that this would be a chance for students to practice their oration skills for their future endeavors.
"[...] Auburn students will compete in an ethics bowl–style debate with the University of Alabama. This format emphasizes careful reasoning, perspective-taking and sound judgment on complex, real-world issues," Doukopoulos said.
The debate will be judged by 12 different individuals with specific focuses in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Experience varies from advocating for diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, information technology (IT) auditing and risk mitigation, to cybersecurity education.
The standard format of a debate allows for a formal argument to be made for or against a certain subject. Contestants will have the opportunity to do so; however, they're also challenged to discuss the complexity and possible uncertainty of the issue that AI presents. The event will be moderated by those 12 judges, with an emphasis on the learning experience, rather than winning the debate.
Auburn provides a plethora of AI resources for students, faculty and various industry professionals. The resources are claimed to "[...] highlight Auburn University initiatives, programs, and tools designed to help faculty, students and industry partners better understand and engage with AI in thoughtful and responsible ways."
One of the things highlighted on the page is The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), which is the organizer of the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. The AI Ethics Iron Bowl is modeled after this format.
The day is full of events for both contestants and attendees, with a networking event from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the final debate round from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested in attending the AI Ethics Iron Bowl can register for the event here.
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Brychelle Brooks, senior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter, Opinion Editor and Newsletter Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
