The AI Nexus: The Arts, Humanities and Engineering Converge

The AI Nexus: The Arts, Humanities and Engineering Converge

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Harold D. Melton Student Center, Rooms 2222/2223

8:00 am – 4:00 pm 

 The AI Nexus Conference explores the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence, the arts, the humanities and engineering. This interdisciplinary gathering moves beyond traditional AI conversations to examine how technical innovation intersects with ethical inquiry, cultural critique and creative expression.

Conference Program

Special appearance by Aubie from 8:15 – 8:50 a.m. 

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. MSC 2225

Presenter: Chelsy Hooper, EdD

Title: Learn How to Produce Podcasts

9:00 – 11:30 a.m. MSC 2222 and 2223

Welcome: Dean Jason Hicks, College of the Liberal Arts

Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Program Assessment, Dean Hendrix

Purpose for the Interdisciplinary Studies of Artificial Intelligence: Dr. Joan R. Harrell, Director Strategic Initiatives and Programs, CLA Dean’s Office

Mosaic Theatre Company's "AI Anonymous:" an original performance by the Mosaic Theatre Company. Set in a future saturated with artificial intelligence, the piece follows a group of AI addicts as they confront their dependency and examine the human cost of an always-on, automated world.  Artistic Director, Dr. Tessa Carr and Co-Director Artistic Director, Professor Abdul Khaliq-Murtadha

Keynote Speaker: Elay Shech, PhD, Auburn University, Philosopher of Science, “Does AI Need the Humanities?”

Keynote Round Table and Audience Question and Answer Session: Asim Ali, PhD, Executive Director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Provost Office; Elay Shech, PhD, Auburn University, Philosopher of Science

Closing Remarks: Dr. Joan R. Harrell

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. MSC 2222 and 2223

Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. MSC 2109

Title: Learn How to Produce Podcasts

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MSC 2216

Presenter: Princess Chihurumnaya Samuel, PhD student in Computer Science and Software Engineering, Auburn University

• Paper Title: The Data of Lived Truths: An Intersectional Framework for Human-Centered Design Beyond Binary Thinking in Computing System Design and Evaluation

Presenter: Nilanjana Raychawdhary, PhD candidate (ABD) in Computer Science and Software Engineering, Auburn University

• Paper Title: Empowering Sentiment Analysis in African Low-Resource Languages through Transformer Models and Strategic Language Selection

Presenter: Colvin Prince, Jr., Social Media Director, Harbert College of Business and MA candidate, College of Liberal Arts, Auburn University

• Paper Title: Beyond the Feed: Integrating AI Into Student Engagement and Digital Learning Ecosystems

Presenter: Gina Galassini Myers, PhD student

• Paper Title: Adversarial Use of Generative Vision Models in Online Exploitative Market

1:00 p.m. MSC 2225

Panel: Katherine Chiou, PhD; Lindsay Doukopoulos, PhD; Lawrence Cappello, PhD and Christopher Basgier, PhD

Title: The 'Almost Human' Machine: AI, Personhood and the Dynamics of Dehumanization

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MSC 2218

Presenters: Christopher Clemons, PhD; James R. Linner, PhD; and James McKibben, PhD

Title: Engineering the Emotional Subjective: A Deterministic Protocol for Bridging the Subjectivity Gap in Generative Artificial Intelligence

Title: The Architecture of Truth: Replacing Prompt Engineering with Semantic Verification Protocols

2:00 p.m. MSC 2216

Panel: Gerry Dozier, PhD; Cheryl Seals, PhD; Asim Ali, PhD; Matt Dabbs; Roberto Molinari, PhD; and Peter Johnson, PhD

Title: Socializing a Superintelligent AI

2:00 p.m. MSC 2225 

Presenter: Andrew Worhley, Associate Professor, Auburn University Libraries
Title: The Impact of AI on Librarianship: Responsible Supervision and Search

Presenter: Dan O’Leary, Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Title: The Judgment Economy: Education and the Abstraction of Work

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. MSC 2216 and MSC 2218

Posters

Author: Isabel Altamirano, Assistant Professor, Auburn University Libraries
Title: Interdisciplinary Synthesis – Effects of AI on Education in Different Disciplines

Authors: Erin Garcia, Chelsy Hooper, Samantha James, and Monique Laney, PhD
Title: Teaching AI-Enhanced Podcasting in the Age of GenAI

Author: Tahseen Tawheef, PhD Student
Title: From Emotion to Action: How AI-Driven Personalization Shapes Fan Engagement and Merchandise Sales during College Football Season

Authors: Katelyn Nelson, PhD; DeElla Wiley, PhD Student; and Lindsay Doukopoulos, PhD
Title: A Student-Centered Process for Designing and Iterating AI Ethics Workshops Across Disciplines

Author: Christopher Basgier, PhD
Title: Writing for Ethical Discernment in the Age of GenAI

Authors: Sarah Hill, Student, Interior Design Program, Department of Consumer and Design Sciences, College of Human Sciences; Anna Ruth Gatlin, PhD; and Georges Fares, MID
Title: Interpreting the Incomplete: AI Reconstruction and Human Craft in the Restoration of Historical Ceramic Plates

Authors: Sarah Joy Ficks, Student, Interior Design Program, Department of Consumer and Design Sciences, College of Human Sciences; Anna Ruth Gatlin, PhD; and Georges Fares, MID
Title: Restoring What Is Missing: AI Guided Visualization of the Chigi Palace Landscape Room