Date: March 12, 2026
The Authorship and AI Conference begins today at lunchtime at Virginia Theological Seminary and will continue through tomorrow at lunchtime. The question of how artificial intelligence should be used is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues in the academy and in education more broadly. Scholars, teachers, and practitioners are all wrestling with a fundamental question: when is AI simply a helpful tool, and when does it become the author itself?
This conference brings together participants from Virginia Theological Seminary, the General Theological Seminary, the publishing world, and the high school community to explore that question from a variety of perspectives. Together we are examining a series of case studies—including a short story, a sermon, and a fundraising letter—to test the boundaries of authorship and responsibility. By engaging these concrete examples, we hope to clarify when AI assists human creativity and when it begins to replace it.
Many people have made this gathering possible. We are especially grateful to Taryn Habberley in the Dean’s Office for her superb organizational skills, which have ensured that everything runs smoothly. We are also thankful for the work of two students, Evan Graber and Ryan Waide, whose energy and careful planning have been invaluable in bringing this conference together.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary