This preliminary program is being published as an early save-the-date. Speaker, presentation, and agenda information will be updated as participants are confirmed.
This IEEE Region 5 Learning Exchange will explore how mentorship, robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering ethics can be connected to prepare students and professionals for responsible innovation. The event is being held during the inaugural IEEE Ethics Week, September 12–20, 2026.
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John Purvis will open with lessons from his elementary-school outreach and group-mentoring activities. Following his presentation, participants will discuss how engineers can build trust, encourage curiosity, and help young learners develop responsible technology habits.
The exchange will also examine educational robotics and ethical questions associated with AI-enabled and autonomous systems. Potential discussion topics include human oversight, safety, accountability, privacy, bias, electric-vehicle decision-making, battery lifecycle responsibilities, and equitable access to emerging technologies.
University perspectives, including examples from the University of Central Arkansas AI, Robotics & Ethics Camp, are being coordinated. Event information will be updated as additional participants are confirmed.
The tentative format includes presentations of approximately 15-20 minutes each, followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience questions.
IEEE members, educators, students, parents, STEM volunteers, and professionals working in robotics, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and related fields are encouraged to attend.
Speaker(s): John Purvis, Will Slayton, Lucy Talley
Agenda:
Tentative Agenda
6:00–6:05 p.m. — Welcome, introductions, and IEEE Ethics Week context
6:05–6:20 p.m. — John Purvis from Central Texas Section: Elementary-school outreach and group mentoring
6:20–6:40 p.m. — Dr Will Slaton from Arkansas Section, on AI, robotics, and ethics
6:40–7:05 p.m. — Moderated panel discussion with Lucy Talley (guest panelist from Denver Section) and audience questions
7:05–7:15 p.m. — Key takeaways, resources, and closing
Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/574241