Sustaining Curiosity, Cultivating Wisdom, and Championing the Public Good in an AI-Driven World
By Mackenzie Galloway-Cole
This spring, the Phi Beta Kappa Society will launch a nationwide series of public programs marking a historic 250th anniversary milestone, including four regional events across the country. The first event in this series will take place on April 28, 2026, in San Diego, and will set the tone for a year of values-driven conversations that reflect the Society’s enduring commitment to knowledge, free inquiry, and education for the public good.
Hosted at the San Diego Natural History Museum, the inaugural program will explore the theme “The Human Algorithm: The Liberal Arts and the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” At a moment when AI is rapidly reshaping how we work, communicate, and make decisions, this timely discussion will examine how human creativity, ethics, and imagination, core strengths of an arts and sciences education, can guide technological innovation and ensure that progress serves the common good.
The evening will feature brief, TED-style talks from three distinguished scholars, followed by a moderated conversation and audience Q&A. Confirmed speakers include Alondra Nelson, a leading authority on science, technology, and social inequality; Ken Ono, whose work focuses on mathematical superintelligence; and Alfred Spector, a pioneer in data systems and artificial intelligence. From ethics and governance (Nelson), to knowledge and reasoning (Ono), to large-scale technical systems (Spector), these scholars offer complementary perspectives on artificial intelligence.
The discussion will be moderated by Joanna Brooks, Associate Vice President for Faculty Advancement and Student Success and Professor at San Diego State University. A Phi Beta Kappa member and nationally recognized scholar, Brooks brings more than a decade of experience as a public university leader and humanities advocate. She is among the founders of SDSU’s Digital Humanities initiative, and her work bridges scholarship, administration, and public engagement, grounding thoughtful, inclusive conversations on culture, ethics, and public life.
Future 250th anniversary events, taking place in additional cities throughout 2026 and 2027, will continue this spirit of public engagement, bringing scholars, members, and community partners together to explore the role of the arts and sciences in addressing today’s most pressing challenges.
Phi Beta Kappa members and guests in Southern California and beyond are warmly invited to attend this landmark evening. Registration details and additional information will be available at pbk.org. Whether you join us in San Diego or follow along as the series unfolds, we hope you will be part of this moment, honoring 250 years of celebrating excellence while looking ahead to the future of our Society. Mackenzie
Galloway-Cole is Phi Beta Kappa’s Director of Communications & Digital.