April 20–23, 2027 · Tulsa, OklahomaAI and the Imagination
AI has left science fiction and entered our Lives
AI has left science fiction and entered our classrooms, studios, laboratories, workplaces, churches, and homes. It is changing what we can create, what we are willing to delegate, how we understand intelligence, and which futures seem possible.
AI and the Imagination brings together writers and artists, technologists and theologians, researchers and educators, leaders, practitioners, and students to explore the questions no single discipline can answer alone. What will AI make possible? What might it diminish? Who will decide what comes next?
“There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.” - Terminator 2: Judgment Day
About the Conference
AI and the Imagination brings together conversations that too often occur separately: writers and artists imagining technological futures, theologians and philosophers asking questions about human identity and purpose, educators considering the future of learning, researchers exploring new forms of discovery, leaders navigating organizational change, and practitioners putting AI to work.
Hosted by Oral Roberts University, the conference welcomes participants from all institutions, disciplines, professions, and perspectives.
Keynote Speakers
Pat Gelsinger is Executive Chairman and Head of Technology at Gloo and former CEO
of Intel and VMware, bringing decades of leadership in technology, innovation, and
AI. Joan Slonczewski is an award-winning science fiction author and Professor of Biology
at Kenyon College whose work explores AI personhood, microbial evolution, and the
future of life. Ben John is Chief Technology Officer at Digital Turbine and former Vice President
of Engineering at Microsoft AI Copilot, with two decades of leadership in technology
and AI.
Pat Gelsinger
Joan Slonczewski, PhD
Ben John, PhD
Call for Papers and Presentations
Oral Roberts University invites proposals from faculty, researchers, educators, professionals, practitioners, faith leaders, writers, artists, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Interdisciplinary work is particularly encouraged.
March 5, 2027. Rolling review. Presenters will normally be notified within two weeks. In person. A 15-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of discussion.Deadline
Acceptance
Presentation Format
Conference Tracks
Submit a Proposal
We welcome proposals for scholarly papers and other presentations. Proposals should include:
- Presentation title
- A 250–500 word abstract
- Preferred conference track
- Presenter name or names and institutional or professional affiliation
- Contact email
- Presentation format: paper or presentation slides
Email proposals to either conference co-organizer. Proposals will be reviewed as they are received, and early submissions are encouraged.
Submit to Dr. Andrew Lang Submit to Dr. Mark Hall
Registration opens soon. Options will be available for conference attendees, presenters,
and students. Accepted presenters must register for the conference. Check back for registration details, pricing, and the conference schedule. AI and the Imagination will be held on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. ORU guests may reserve rooms at participating hotels using the university’s
negotiated rates, subject to availability. Parking, campus directions, and additional travel information will be provided closer
to the conference.Registration and Travel
Registration
Hotel and Travel
Dean, College of Science and Engineering. Senior Professor of Mathematics, Oral Roberts
University. alang@oru.edu Dean, J.D. McKean Library. Senior Professor of English, Oral Roberts University. mhall@oru.eduConference Organizers
Dr. Andrew Lang
Dr. Mark Hall
Read more about the organizers: Dr. Andrew Lang and Dr. Mark Hall.