Critical Imagination Summit

Critical Imagination Summit challenges us to examine our deepest beliefs about innovation, moving beyond user research to understand why we build, who benefits, and how we can collectively transform systems to build genuine trust between humans and machines. Imagination not as escapism, but as a rigorous practice for exposing power, naming harm, and cultivating more just, livable futures.

Attendees will take a systematic approach to developing emerging, technological solutions by interrogating policies, research, narratives, and outcomes.

We're delighted to offer discounted tickets to students, the American Academy of Religion, and Wabash Center. Email Dr. Philip Butler from your school or organization email address to retrieve your code.

Preliminary Schedule
8:30 - 9 AM: Breakfast

9 - 9:15 AM: Welcome by Dr. Philip Butler, Director of Iliff's AI Institute

9:15 - 10 AM: Breakfast side chat w/ Dominique Lamb on Black Futures, the Housing Industrial Complex and Re-imagining Quality of Life Foundations (Hosted by Dr. Philip Butler)

10:15 - 11:45 AM Session 1 - Dr. Tomi Oredein (Brite Divinity), Dr. Danie Buhuro (Black Tech Futures), and Christina Hudson (Temple University)“Imagining the Liminal - Converging the Future’s Past on the Present”

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch

12:45-2:45 PM Imagination Games - Dr. Gary Green (Twin Cities) and Eliza Sekou “Wiring Up the Future - Gaming Options that Play Beyond the Past”

3-4:30 PM Session 2: Rev. Andrew Rollins (Retired AME Pastor), Dr. Mark Graves (AI and Faith), and Dr. Girim Jung (Wesleyan University)“Shepherding Imagination: Dark and Prophetic Machines.” 

4:30-4:45 PM: Closing Remarks by Dr. Philip Butler

Stay tuned for updates on workshops, featured speakers, and programming.