About PAC

The Public Affairs Conference (PAC) is the oldest student-led conference in the United States. With a few exceptions, the conference has occurred annually since its inception in 1939. Principia students take responsibility for all aspects of planning and running the conference, from choosing the topic to inviting the speakers and coordinating logistics. The conference is a space where thought provoking topics and discussions are raised and facilitated.

Past speakers for the Public Affairs Conference include Vincent Stanley (Author of The Responsible Company), David Miller (former president of World Wildlife Fund Canada), and Shiza Shahid (founder of The Malala Fund).

This year’s PAC aims to…

Develop understanding and awareness of AI’s role, potential, and challenges, emphasizing the importance of technological advancements and the future we aspire to create.
Engage in productive discourse across various sectors by bringing together thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, and the public for collaborative dialogue.
Impart ethical considerations and societal impact knowledge as a foundation for responsible innovation, ensuring AI aligns with shared values and aspirations for a better world.

About Principia College

Principia College: Principia is a century-old, co-educational, four-year liberal arts institution set on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, in Elsah, IL. The College’s current student body of approximately 350 students draws from over 40 states and 30 countries from 6 different continents. Principia College places a strong emphasis on educating its students to be active global citizens.

Previous Speakers at Principia College include Doris Kearns Goodwin, Vincente Fox, Barack Obama, Margaret Thatcher, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Oscar Aria, Coretta Scott King, Wangari Maathai, Muhammad Yunus, Wole Soyinka, and Madeleine Albright.