14th Annual International Symposium on Digital Ethics
14th Annual International Symposium on Digital Ethics
Accessible Intelligence: designing for a more ethical present
CDEP Symposium: March 14th, 2025
The theme for this year is Accessible Intelligence: designing for a more ethical present. All around the world, there are now countless gatherings discussing the importance of what a future involving AI entails. A more urgent conversation is incumbent upon us to have, and that is how we can bring about solutions to address the real challenges brought about by lack of access (such as digital divides) to communities, information, and infrastructure. How are we as a society designing ways to deal with gaps in this AI future, meeting shortfalls in labor, skills, and literacies? What does it mean to take action in the context of resistance and refusal as they intersect with technology, culture, ethics, policy, law, health, and more?
This symposium, to be held in downtown Chicago at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus, seeks to convene those who wish to take an active role in answering these questions in our current moment. We welcome participants from academia, industry, and government to join in this crucial conversation across fields of expertise, theory, and practice.
Meet Keynote Speaker, Kyla Williams Tate
Kyla Williams Tate is a visionary leader at the forefront of digital equity initiatives, currently serving as the inaugural Director of Digital Equity for Cook County Government in the Office of President Toni Preckwinkle. Under Kyla's leadership, Cook County launched its first-ever Digital Equity Action Plan and Digital Equity Map to advance its digital equity goals and create a growing and thriving digital equity ecosystem. In December 2023, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance selected Cook County as a Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for its digital inclusion efforts.
Meet our Symposium Speakers and Presenters
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Rev. Matthew Ian Dunch, S.J. is assistant professor of philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Dunch specializes in the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Thomas Aquinas.
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Rev. Patrick Gilger, S.J.
Rev. Patrick Gilger, S.J. is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Director of the McNamara Center for the Social Study of Religion at Loyola University Chicago. Fr. Gilger’s scholarship uses micro-sociological approaches to study the impact of public religions on secular democracies.
Professor Teresa Frisbie
Professor Teresa Frisbie is the director of the Dispute Resolution Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Law where she teaches mediation and negotiation skills and coaches the international mediation team.
Dr. Susan Haarman
Dr. Susan Haarman hails from Louisville, KY, but has lived in Milwaukee, Texas, Berkeley, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the fine city of Chicago. She is the associate director at Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship where she facilitates faculty development and the university's service-learning program.
Sponsoring the 2025 Digital Ethics Symposium is more than a contribution—it’s an investment in advancing thought leadership and ethical innovation in the digital age. Hosted by the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy (CDEP) at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Communication, the Symposium provides a platform to connect with a vibrant network of scholars, students, and active practitioners across a dynamic range of communication fields.
Leading with Impact in Digital Ethics
Every year, the Center for Digital Ethics’ Annual International Symposium brings together thought leaders, scholars, and professionals from around the world to explore the evolving ethical challenges in digital spaces. The symposium is more than just a conference—it’s a transformative experience that sparks critical discussions, fosters global collaboration, and inspires meaningful change in the field of digital ethics.
The impact of this event is best reflected in the voices of those who attend. Each year, we receive powerful testimonials from participants who share how the symposium has enriched their perspectives, deepened their understanding, and connected them with a community of like-minded individuals passionate about ethical innovation in technology.
We invite you to explore these testimonials below and see firsthand the profound influence this symposium has on its attendees. Whether you're a returning participant or new to our community, these stories highlight the value and significance of engaging in this essential dialogue on digital ethics.