The Heartland AI Ethics Forum: A “Grassroots” Approach
- Steve Jurrens
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Zach Thompson, representing Liberty Forge AI Consulting, took to the podium to invite the community to a forum dedicated to the moral implications of rapidly advancing technology.
The event, titled “Heartland AI Ethics Forum: Ethical Artificial Intelligence for the Forgotten Man,” aims to shift the AI conversation away from “coastal conference rooms” and back to the family farmers, rural manufacturers, and small business owners of South Dakota.
“I hope to find a grassroots conversation on how to build a framework ethically on AI before it really gets in the community,” Thompson told the council.
Event Details:
· Date & Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 3:30 to 6:00 PM.
· Venue: Watertown Regional Library.
· Admission: Free and open to the public.
The Panel & Discussion
Moderated by Steve Jurrens of Northeast Radio SD, the forum features a diverse range of perspectives:
· Technology & Strategy: Zachary Thompson (Founder, Liberty Forge AI) and Tyler Fischella (formerly of Google Trust & Safety, appearing via Zoom).
· Science & Local Business: Dr. Matthew Cole (Pioneer Biotech) and KT Webb (Watertown writer and businesswoman).
· Ethics & Faith: Matt Roby (Attorney/Catholic representative) and Sister Barbara Younger (Mother of God Monastery).
The discussion will avoid jargon and sales pitches, focusing instead on human dignity, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and how AI can support “rural flourishing”.