CFP: 6th Upstate Workshop on AI and Human Values

Scholars working on the ethics or philosophy of artificial intelligence are invited to submit paper abstracts for a manuscript workshop to be held at the University of Rochester, on April 24, 2026.

The workshop is open to papers on normative or philosophical aspects of AI. As such, any paper on the theme is eligible for consideration. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

●     understanding and consciousness in algorithmic systems,

●     the ethics of algorithmic systems,

●     dealing with value disagreement in algorithmic systems,

●     explainability and justification by algorithmic systems,

●     philosophy of science as applied to data science and algorithmic systems.

Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students in philosophy or cognate disciplines (political theory, law, and others) are invited to submit proposals by January 9, 2026. With the aim of advancing scholarship within the region of the Central New York Humanities Corridor, preference may be given to scholars at corridor institutions.

Submissions should be submitted to Jon Herington ([email protected]) Submissions should include the full name, email, and institutional affiliation of the author(s), as well as a detailed abstract of approximately 500 words prepared for blind review.  Notifications will be made on or about January 22, 2026.

In support of a productive workshop, accepted papers will be circulated in advance of the conference so that all participants can read them ahead of time and the meeting can focus on critical feedback and discussion. Full papers (up to 10,000 words) must be submitted to the conference organizers no later than March 27, 2026 to be distributed.

Faculty, staff and graduate students at one of the Corridor institutions (broadly those colleges and Universities in New York located between Albany and Rochester) may be eligible for a re-imbursement of travel costs. Please see the full eligibility criteria here: https://www.cnycorridor.net/resources/intra-corridor-travel-supplement/

Questions should be directed to Jon Herington ([email protected]). Organized by: Jonathan Herington (U of Rochester), Jens Kipper (U of Rochester) and Rush Stewart (U of Rochester)

Videos of talks at our previous events can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsLYYnYQrt7eCxD7h9YzDBw

Co-Sponsored by the University of Rochester's Humanities Center and the Central New York Humanities Corridor from an award by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation