Ian P. Sharp Lecture – Weaving the Future: Indigenous Knowledge and the Ethics of AI

As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in our lives, urgent questions arise about whose knowledge systems shape its design and whose are excluded. The 2025 Ian P. Sharp Lecture brings together two distinguished speakers to explore how AI can be shaped with respect, relationality, and responsibility, rooted in Indigenous ethical frameworks. 

Key Themes:  

• Incorporating Indigenous ethical frameworks into AI design and application 
• Balancing technological innovation with traditional knowledge systems 

This year’s lecture will feature two expert speakers and one moderator: 

Speakers:

Dr. Morgan Vigil-Hayes — Associate Professor at Northern Arizona University’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems. Dr. Vigil-Hayes’ research addresses the information needs and practices of rural and tribal communities, focusing on bridging long-standing digital and social divides. 

Dr. Jennifer Wemigwans — Associate Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. A member of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Dr. Wemigwans specializes in the intersection of education, Indigenous knowledge, and new media technologies. 

Moderator:

Danica Pawlick-Potts — PhD candidate at Western University and Research Associate at York University. A member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, Danica’s research focuses on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, fostering respectful data infrastructures, and the impacts of emerging technologies on Indigenous communities.