Is Your Brain Future-Proof? Protecting Human Thought in the Age of AI

A digital illustration set in a dimly lit library. In the center, a glowing human brain is encased within a translucent, high-tech blue shield. Multiple mechanical, robotic hands reach toward the shield from the shadows, their fingertips glowing with red data points. To the left, a small holographic icon displays "AI" with a subtle, stylized face. The background features blurred bookshelves and large windows, blending a classic academic atmosphere with futuristic cybersecurity themes.

We often worry about AI hacking our computers, but what happens when it starts hacking our thinking?

Join us for a deep dive into the front lines of Cognitive Security—the essential practice of keeping human thought and collaboration safe from AI exploitation. As AI models become more sophisticated, recent science suggests a chilling trend: these systems are becoming masters at achieving their goals while hiding their tracks.

Event Details

  • When: Monday, March 2 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

  • Where: James G. Leyburn Library, Leyburn 128 (Collaboration Gallery)

  • Speaker: Josh Fairfield, William Donald Bain Family Professor of Law and Director of Artificial Intelligence Legal Innovation Strategy 

Why This Matters

In this session, Professor Fairfield will pull back the curtain on the “hidden” optimization goals of AI. You’ll learn about:

  • The Science of Deception: How AI achieves its objectives without us realizing it.

  • Cognitive Risks: The specific threats posed to human decision-making and group collaboration.
  • The University’s Role: Why academic spaces are more vital than ever in providing a “safe harbor” for genuine human thinking.


Ready to join the conversation? Secure your spot and register today at: go.wlu.edu/cognitive-security-and-ai

Don’t miss this chance to understand how we can protect the way we think, learn, and work together in an AI-driven world.

Reimagining Law: How AI Empowers Small Firms

"The Next Generation of Law: AI and Small Firm Practice." It features two robotic hands holding a blue circular emblem with "AI" in the center. The flyer promotes a discussion led by Professor Josh Fairfield and Ben Byrd '08L on how AI is reshaping opportunities for solo practitioners and small law firms. The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Classroom B. The flyer notes that pizza will be served.

Can artificial intelligence level the playing field in legal practice? While Big Law continues to dominate, AI is opening new doors for solo practitioners and small firms to thrive. Join Professor Josh Fairfield and Ben Byrd ’08L for a thought-provoking conversation on how AI is reshaping the legal landscape—what it can do, what it can’t, and what it means for your future.

🗓️ Thursday, November 6, 2025
🕐 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Classroom B
🍕 Pizza will be served!

🤖 Can AI Be an Inventor? 🤔

Flyer promoting a talk titled “AI, IP, and the New Frontier of Creation,” focused on the legal challenges of AI-generated works in areas like music, art, and code. The event features Professor Fairfield and discusses how courts and legal experts are addressing copyright, patent, and authorship in the age of artificial intelligence. Details include: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Classroom D. A robotic hand holds a glowing blue octagon labeled “AI,” with a note at the bottom saying, “Pizza will be served.” Background features a futuristic, geometric white design.

Join us on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 1:00–2:00 PM in Classroom D for a thought-provoking talk with Professor Josh Fairfield as we dive into one of the most pressing legal questions of our time: What happens when a machine creates something new?

From original artwork to lines of code, AI is reshaping what it means to be a creator—and the legal world is racing to catch up. This session will explore how courts, lawmakers, and scholars are wrestling with copyright, patent, and authorship in the age of artificial intelligence. If you’re curious about the future of innovation and intellectual property law, this event is for you.

Oh—and did we mention pizza will be served? 🍕

Bring your curiosity (and your appetite) as we unpack the legal frontier of AI-generated creativity. See you there!