“Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity”

For 13 years, the NCICU Ethics Bowl has challenged students to explore ethical questions about vital societal issues. Students spend months researching case studies and deciding on the arguments they will present. This is not a debate. Opposing teams may be on the same side of the issue. They are judged on their preparation and how compelling they present their view of the issue employing clear ethical principles.

The Ethic Bowl features four rounds of competition. In each round, two teams will be paired off. Each match will be judged by three volunteers – business representatives, community leaders, and legislators fill those slots. A moderator runs the match, keeping the timing tight and the atmosphere professional.

NCICU will hold its annual Ethics Bowl in person on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10, 2024. The theme of this year’s competition is “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.” We are pleased to announce that 18 NCICU campuses are participating!

The event will be held in its traditional two-day schedule with three rounds of competition on Friday afternoon and the fourth, semi and final rounds on Saturday morning. Each Ethics Bowl team consists of four-to-six students. A campus coordinator works with the students to prepare them for the competition. A number of civic, corporate, non-profit and government leaders volunteer each year to serve as judges and moderators for the matches.

Case Author and Advisory Board

An Advisory Board decides on the theme for each year’s Ethics Bowl, with input from the campus coordinators. The case author is Ken Wernick, senior counsel, retired, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He drafts up to 12 cases around the chosen theme, which are then reviewed by the Advisory Board. Six cases are selected: four for the matches, one of which is a “surprise” case, and one each for the semi-final and final matches.

Sponsorships

With a budget of more than $90,000 each year, the NCICU Ethics Bowl is made possible by sponsorships that allow students to participate at no cost to themselves or their institutions. Though we have had numerous faithful sponsors over the years, it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise those critical funds. To become a sponsor of the Ethics Bowl, contact Colleen Kinser, [email protected], or 919.832.5817.

Sponsorships cover:

Campus Team Funding
Stipends for Campus Coordinators
Hotel accommodations for student team members and coordinators
The Ethics Bowl Banquet
Commemorative gifts
Refreshments throughout the event

Schedule

Job Descriptions

• Campus Coordinator
• Moderator
• Judge

2024 Participating Teams

Barton College – Sponsored by Sageview
Campbell University – Sponsored by SOMA Cyber
Catawba College – Sponsored by IMA
Gardner-Webb University – Sponsored by Aramark
High Point University – Sponsored by the Wren Foundation and FORVIS
Johnson C. Smith University – Sponsored by Duke Energy
Livingstone College – Sponsored by Duke Energy
Mars Hill University- Sponsored by NC Electric Cooperatives and French Broad EMC
Methodist University –Sponsored by Fortinet and Piedmont Natural Gas
Montreat College – Sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated
NC Wesleyan University- Sponsored by Daly Seven Hotel Management
Pfeiffer University – Sponsored by Varsity Health
Queens University of Charlotte – Sponsored by NFP Corporate Services and BHDP
St. Andrews University – Sponsored by InterVision Systems
Saint Augustine’s University – Sponsored Fidelity Investments
University of Mount Olive – Sponsored by Mount Olive Pickle Company and Southern Bank Foundation
William Peace University – Sponsored by Fidelity Investments
Wingate University- Sponsored by The Budd Group