Philosophy in Technology Conference – 5th Edition: AI, Human Uniqueness, and Emerging Forms of Agency

Call for Contributions

Philosophy in Technology Conference – 5th Edition: AI, Human Uniqueness, and Emerging Forms of Agency.
10–11 April 2026

We invite contributions to the 5th edition of the annual event – Philosophy in Technology Conference. The overall objective of this conference is to reflect on the role of philosophy in technology and engineering. We seek studies of salient philosophical dimensions or underpinnings of technology that demonstrate how philosophical insights shed new light on what technology does or overlooks, and how technology is influenced by underlying philosophical assumptions.

The central topic of the 2026 conference is the evolution of AI toward human-like capacities. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved dramatically since its inception, from simple computational systems to advanced machine learning models capable of mimicking human behavior. At the same time, philosophical, ethical, and social implications concerning the nature of humanity, agency, and cognition have come to the forefront. We propose to explore two interconnected themes: the evolution of AI concepts toward human-like agents and the potential transformation or reduction of human uniqueness as AI systems advance.

The conference draws on a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from AI research, philosophy of mind, cognitive science, ethics, and social theory. Key concepts from philosophy of technology, posthumanism, philosophy of mind, and machine ethics will be central to the analysis. Beyond these perspectives, the conference also invites participants to rethink the role of philosophy itself and the possibilities for philosophical inquiry in the context of emerging technologies.

Proposed topics may:

• Trace the historical development of AI from its initial conception to the present day, focusing on the increasing mimicry of human traits and behaviors.
• Examine the philosophical and ethical implications of creating AI systems that replicate human cognitive processes and behaviors.
• Investigate the transformation or reduction of human uniqueness in the context of AI's evolution, exploring how this affects our sense of identity, agency, and purpose.
• Provide a critical analysis of the intersection between human nature and machine intelligence as AI systems evolve.
• Explore potential futures for AI, considering the philosophical, social, and ethical challenges of creating increasingly human-like machines.

Presentation Formats

In addition to standard 20-minute presentations followed by discussion, the conference will feature a dedicated Flash Presentation & Poster Forum.

Flash presentations will consist of a 5-minute focused research talk, designed to present a clearly articulated thesis, conceptual framework, or emerging research problem. Each flash talk will be accompanied by a poster (printed or digital), enabling extended discussion during a structured poster session.

This format aims to:

• Encourage the presentation of work-in-progress and early-stage ideas,
• Foster concentrated argumentation and conceptual clarity,
• Promote informal yet rigorous scholarly exchange.

Participants are invited to indicate in their submission whether they wish to be considered for a standard presentation or for the Flash Presentation & Poster Forum.

Submission Guidelines

Presentation proposals should be between 500 and 600 words (including references -APA7 ) and submitted in PDF format. Together with the presentation proposal, please send a short CV (approximately 150words).

In the subject line, please write:
“Presentation Proposal: 5th PinT Conference.”

Proposals should be sent to:
philosophyintechnology[at]gmail.com

Conference participation is free of charge.

Conference Format

The workshop will take place:

• On 10 April 2026 in hybrid form – both on-site at Wrocław University of Science and Technology and online (Zoom platform),
• On 11 April 2026, online only (Zoom platform).

The language of the event is English.

For more information, please visit the conference homepage:
https://sites.google.com/pwr.edu.pl/pint-2026/main

Important Dates

• Submission deadline: 14 March 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 21 March 2026
• Conference schedule: 25 March 2026
• Conference dates: 10–11 April 2026

The workshop is organized by:
Wrocław University of Science and Technology;
Pontifical University of John Paul II;
Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences (Commission on Philosophy of Science).

Any questions regarding the workshop may be sent to Łukasz Mściławski:
philosophyintechnology[at]gmail.com