On March 7th and 8th, VMI is hosting its annual conference at its Center for Leadership and Ethics, Marshall Hall and Cameron Hall. This year’s topic is the ethical dilemmas in the digital age because in an ever changing world, technology and digital communication are developing into not only a more popular form of communication but a form of warfare, intelligence gathering, privacy and exploration. As technology and digital capabilities increase, Americans must understand the implications that arise with the new information. As the adage goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
VMI is lucky enough to be hosting four guest speakers throughout the two days who have a plethora of experience in dealing with social media, the legality and policies behind the developing technologies and the economy driving the innovation and production of better and faster tech. These speakers are Peter Singer, a Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation, Colin Lewis, an economist and international policy advisor, Christopher Soghoian, a researcher who specializes in the intersection of technology, law and policy, and the Keynote Speaker, Army Gen. Keith Alexander (Ret.), who is currently the president and Chief Executive Officer of IronNet Cybersecurity and former Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and former Director of the National Security Agency.
Tuesday the 8th, cadets do not have classes as they are required to attend the speakers and the panels following the speeches. There are four panels that will give people the opportunity to learn about a more specific area of technology from a current expert in the field. The panels are titled, “Is Big Brother Alive and Well?” “The Morality of Robotic Warfare” “Are Cyberattacks an Act of War?” and “Social Media: The Good, Bad and Ugly.” No matter your interests, by attending any of the speakers or any of the panels you will learn something useful about our changing world and about the balance of perspectives of the people who surround you and us as a nation.