Inaugural AI Ethics Iron Bowl brings Auburn and Alabama students together

Auburn University and the University of Alabama will come together on April 22 for the inaugural AI Ethics Iron Bowl, a full-day academic competition focused on the ethical challenges surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Auburn in Birmingham (AIB) Building.

The competition will feature honors students from both universities participating in a multi-round debate based on real-world AI case studies. Throughout the semester, participating students have studied AI dilemmas involving bias, privacy, surveillance, automation and the responsibilities of technologists and policymakers. 

As AI systems increasingly influence decisions about hiring, lending, medical treatment and criminal justice, questions of fairness, data privacy, misinformation and workforce disruption have moved to the forefront of public policy and industry discussions.

The AI Ethics Iron Bowl is designed to examine those questions in a structured, academically rigorous setting. Rather than focusing solely on technological advancement, the event emphasizes ethical reasoning, critical analysis and civil discourse in addressing emerging technologies. Students will be evaluated by faculty and industry judges on the clarity, depth and strength of their arguments as they respond to complex scenarios with real-world implications.

“Our future will not be decided by AI technology,” said Lindsay Doukopoulos, associate director of the Biggio Center. “It will be decided by those who are willing to argue for what kind of humans we want to become.”

Katherine L. Chiou, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama, said the event reflects the deep engagement she sees in her students.

“They are genuinely excited to engage in this dialogue with one another and with their Auburn counterparts,” said Chiou. “Beyond the thrill of competition, they are experiencing the satisfaction of realizing their ideas matter, that their voices carry weight and that thoughtful reasoning is a form of action.”

Auburn student Hannah Montgomery, a genetics and neuroscience major and president of IMPACT, who will graduate in May 2026, shared her excitement about participating.

“This is such an incredible opportunity to explore many perspectives on the way AI is impacting the world around us and the roles it may play in the future,” said Montgomery. “I am excited to work towards the Ethics Bowl in April, when we will apply all the skills and concepts we have been learning to the cases.”

In addition to the debates, the event will offer opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals and alumni interested in the societal and technological impact of AI. Organizers hope the program will foster meaningful dialogue between academia and industry while highlighting the importance of ethical leadership in emerging technologies.

Undergraduate registration for Auburn students is open. Industry professionals, alumni and community members are also invited to attend the event.

For more information and to register, visit aub.ie/aiethicsbowl.