Please join us for the Yale Club of Washington, DC’s 2026 Annual Dinner at the University Club. Advances in artificial intelligence have given rise to concerns about the possibility of massive economic displacement or civilizational catastrophe brought about by highly capable AIs with aims not suitably aligned with our own. But even if these concerns are averted and AI ushers in an era of material prosperity, individuals and communities must still wrestle with serious ethical risks posed by our engagement with digital “minds.” Professor John Pittard will discuss three such risks: cognitive hollowing, relational attenuation, and misjudging the moral standing of AIs. Assessing these risks requires addressing longstanding philosophical questions about the nature of a flourishing human life and the grounds of consciousness.

Ticket Prices – Early Bird

• Supporting Members - $75
• Spouse of Supporting Member - $70
• Non-Supporting Member - $85
• Current Students and Young Alum Members (Class of 2016 to 2026) - $60
• General Admission/Friends of Yale - $90

Early bird registration will remain open through May 31.

Ticket prices may increase after May 31.

Dinner Menu and Beverages

About the Speaker

John Pittard, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Yale Divinity School, is a philosopher specializing in epistemology and the philosophy of religion. Several of his publications focus on questions concerning the rational significance of disagreement with informed and intelligent interlocutors. His book, Disagreement, Deference, and Religious Commitment (Oxford University Press, 2019), assesses the challenge that religious disagreement poses to confident religious (or irreligious) commitment. Much of Pittard’s recent and ongoing work explores skeptical challenges facing both religious and secular worldviews. Other recent work addresses ethical questions posed by increasingly capable AI systems.

About the Location

Founded in 1904, the University Club of Washington, D.C. has long stood as a cornerstone of intellectual and social life in the nation’s capital. Originally established as a gathering place for university alumni and prominent professionals, the Club has welcomed presidents, Supreme Court justices, diplomats, and thought leaders through its doors. Located just steps from the White House, the Club blends classical architecture with a rich legacy of civic and cultural engagement. Its elegant rooms, impeccable service, and storied past make it an ideal venue for meaningful events—where tradition meets timeless sophistication. 

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