Miller Lecture Bridges Tech, Humanity with Microsoft Director of AI, Venture Ecosystems
Miller Lecture Bridges Tech, Humanity with Microsoft Director of AI, Venture Ecosystems
Publish Date: 2026-03-24 17:15:00
Source Domain: news.stthom.edu
- Taylor Black, a senior innovator at Microsoft and director of AI & Venture Ecosystems, discussed at the Miller Lecture on March 21, 2026, in Jones Hall at the University of St. Thomas.
- The conversation included a philosophical discussion on humanity’s role in AI and the potential intersection with theology and ethics.
- Black highlighted a shift in tech industry concerns, including questions about what it means to be human as technology progresses.
- The comparison between Silicon Valley and Jerusalem explores the challenge of integrating faith and reason in AI design, emphasizing the traditional Catholic response to these questions.
- Dr. Thomas P. Harmon praised Black for providing critical insights into the intersection of technological advancements, human formation, and religious and ethical considerations.
- The dialogue emphasized the “Human in the Loop” principle to ensure AI tools incorporate human oversight and values.
- Black underscored the importance of human judgement and moral formation in the age of AI.
- Dr. Harmon stressed the significance of education in fostering responsible judgment in the face of advanced artificial intelligence technology.
- The conversation featured topics like the role of religion in tech development and how AI should serve human values rather than dominate them.