Workshop Title:

Reimagining Society: AI' s Role in Cultural Transformation and Learning Environments

Date:

June 25th, 2025 (UTC -4)

Organizer:

Northeastern University

Workshop Chair:

Dr. Rick Arrowood
Professor in Northeastern University

Personal Bio:

Dr. Rick J. Arrowood is a distinguished leader with over three decades of experience in global leadership and nonprofit organizations. Recently, he has focused on simplifying AI and LLM technologies in the classroom. Dr. Arrowood is a faculty member at Northeastern University (Boston, MA, USA) and Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA, USA), specializing in Management, Organizational Development, and Leadership. With a global perspective, Dr. Arrowood has shared his expertise in global leadership across four continents. He holds Visiting Professor appointments at prestigious institutions, including the University of Central Punjab (Lahore, Pakistan), Vietnam National International University (Ho Chi Minh City, VN), and Swinburne University (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). Dr. Arrowood holds a Doctorate of Law and Policy from Northeastern University, a Juris Doctor from the Massachusetts School of Law, and a Bachelor's in Human Resource Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University. His diverse academic background reflects his commitment to continuous learning and multidisciplinary expertise.

Background

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming society in unprecedented ways, influencing cultural norms, social structures, and ethical frameworks. As AI technologies integrate deeper into our daily lives—shaping communication, decision-making, and work—questions about their societal implications become increasingly pressing. How do cultural values influence AI adoption and use? How can AI promote inclusivity while respecting diversity? This workshop, Reimagining Society: AI's Role in Cultural Transformation and Learning Environments, addresses these critical questions by blending insights from sociology, technology, and ethics. Participants will explore the interplay between AI and culture, examining how technological innovation impacts societal development. With a focus on fostering global awareness and responsibility, this workshop aims to equip individuals with the tools to navigate the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world. Together, we will chart pathways for integrating AI into society while preserving human values and cultural integrity.

Goal/Rationale:

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various facets of society marks a pivotal shift in how humans interact, work, and live. As AI continues to evolve, its influence on cultural norms, social behaviors, and ethical considerations grows exponentially. This workshop seeks to address the complexities of these changes and prepare participants to engage thoughtfully with the challenges and opportunities AI presents. The primary goal is to foster a deep understanding of how AI intersects with culture and sociology, emphasizing its impact on social structures, inclusivity, and global ethics. Participants will gain insights into the transformative potential of AI and its role in reshaping values and norms across diverse societies. This workshop also aims to equip attendees with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate an AI-driven future. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and collaborative exercises, participants will explore strategies for leveraging AI responsibly while preserving cultural identity and fostering societal progress. The rationale is to empower individuals to be active contributors in shaping an equitable and inclusive future where AI enhances, rather than disrupts, the fabric of global society.

Call for Papers

This workshop invites contributions from professionals, academics, and enthusiasts in sociology, technology, and cultural studies to explore the interplay between artificial intelligence and societal change. Emphasizing AI's impact on education, the workshop will examine how AI can transform learning environments, enhance cultural practices, and promote inclusivity. Participants will engage in interactive sessions, group discussions, and case studies focused on integrating AI responsibly into educational contexts, while safeguarding cultural and ethical integrity. By the end of the workshop, attendees will gain insights into AI's societal implications, develop critical analysis tools, and identify actionable strategies for ethical AI adoption in both educational and broader community settings. Several keywords are listed to guide the thematic focus, including Cultural Adaptation to AI Technologies, Ethical Challenges in AI Integration, AI's Impact on Social Norms and Behaviors, Global Perspectives on Inclusivity, and Human-Machine Collaboration in Education, but the topics are not limited to these.

Keywords:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cultural Transformation
  • Society and Technology
  • Ethics in AI
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Social Impact of AI
  • AI in Education
  • Inclusive Learning Environments

Topics

Culture & Sociology

  • Digital Sociology
  • Sociology of Climate Change
  • Migration and Globalization
  • AI and Society
  • Sociology of Technology
  • Social Media Impact
  • Post-Colonial Sociology
  • Sociology of Mental Health
  • Inequality and Social Justice
  • Gender Studies in Sociology
  • Core Fields (e.g., Theoretical Sociology, Historical Sociology)
  • Specialized Areas (e.g., Urban Sociology, Criminology, Rural Sociology)

Educational Structures

  • Digital Transformation in Education
  • Global Education Policy Trends
  • Hybrid and Blended Learning Models
  • Data-Driven Decision Making in Education
  • Equity and Access in Education
  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
  • Competency-Based Education
  • Adaptive and Personalized Learning
  • Global Citizenship Education
  • Mental Health and Well-being in Schools
  • Educational Management (Autocratic vs. Democratic; Centralized vs. Decentralized)
  • Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education Structures
  • Professional Development in Education
  • Educational Policy and Reform

Submission

All submitted papers should report original and unpublished work, experimental or theoretical, and are not under consideration for publications elsewhere. All papers should be no less than 4 pages in length and must strictly follow the format of the workshop template. All papers are subject to reviews and edits. Prospective authors are kindly invited to submit full text papers that includes title, abstract, introduction, tables/figures and references. Other styles of papers are not accepted. Please submit your papers in both .doc/.docx AND .pdf formats as attachments via email to ws_boston@iceipi.org by the given deadline. It is unnecessary to submit an abstract in advance.

Publication

Accepted papers of the workshop will be published in Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media (Print ISSN 2753-7048), and will be submitted to Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI), Crossref, CNKI, Portico, Google Scholar and other databases for indexing. The situation may be affected by factors among databases like processing time, workflow, policy, etc.

* The papers will be exported to production and publication on a regular basis. Early-registered papers are expected to be published online earlier

Ways to Participate

To break the barriers of time and space and to provide seamless communication opportunities for worldwide scholars, both online and offline participation methods are supported for the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring their own insights, experiences, and examples to share with the group through either presenting a poster online or attending in person.

Poster Session

The poster session will provide an opportunity for researchers to present their work in a visual and interactive way, allowing for more engagement and discussion with other attendees. Authors of qualified papers will be invited to present their works with digital posters. We believe that this online poster session will still be a great platform for participants to share, discuss, and cooperate. All accepted authors will receive an invitation email to present at the official workshop website. Please note that all poster presenters must submit the poster before August 16, 2024. Detailed information on your presentation date and time will be confirmed closer to the meeting. If you have any questions, please email ws_perth@iceipi.org.

Poster Presentation Guidelines

  1. Poster presentations must be prepared using the template provided:
    *Poster layout template for poster presentation (download)
    *Poster layout background (download)
  2. Posters should generally be in A1 size (width: 594mm x height: 841mm) and include the followings:
    Title, author and co-author names, and the affiliation(s) information. Body parts, including "Abstract", "Introduction", "Methods", "Results", "Discussion" and "Conclusions".
  3. Presenters are suggested to set the font size properly and avoid placing anything at the margin part of the poster as it will be difficult to view.
  4. Posters should be well illustrated. All the pictures used should be high quality and with high resolution.
  5. All the posters will be displayed online on the official website. Each poster will have both a small thumbnail and a full-size version.
  6. Posters will be displayed during the online session. After the presentation is over, the full-size version of all posters will become invisible. But thumbnails still can be seen on the website.

(You can refer to the instructions for more detailed information. Additional presentation guidelines may be announced by workshop committees.)

Attendance Onsite

The workshop welcomes participants to attend on-site and share the innovative experiences and researches with the group. Therefore, we provide some general information about the visa application. If you want to attend the workshop on-site, please email the workshop committee: ws_boston@iceipi.org.

VISA

U.S. Visas (state.gov)

In order to ensure the information is correct and up to date, there may be changes which we are not aware of. And different countries have different rules for the visa application. It is always a good idea to check the latest regulations in your country. You should confirm details with your local Consular Office. This page just gives some general information of the visa application.

Australia Visa Information

  • US Visa Information

    The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates; attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions/conferences; settling an estate; or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism; visits with friends or relatives; medical treatment; and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.

  • Application Items

    If you apply for a business/tourist visa, you must pay your $160 application fee and submit the following:

    • A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
    • A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
    • One (1) 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) photograph taken within the last six months.
    • If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality.

    In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

  • Supporting Documents
    • Invitation letter from business or school.
    • Detailed CV or resume including a list of publications.
    • Complete itinerary, including all meetings, conferences, and visits; include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your hosts.
    • For other materials, please refer to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
  • NOTICE:

    Should your application be denied, the organizing committee cannot change the decision of visa officer, nor will ICEIPI engage in discussion or correspondence with the visa application center on behalf of the applicant. The registration fee CANNOT be refunded when the VISA application of individual being denied.