Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area
I believe that democracy is a practice, not a prediction. For 20 years, I served as a Law Professor, teaching the next generation how to interpret the law. But today, the crisis is no longer just about interpretation; it is about agency. As we rush to integrate artificial intelligence into every layer of governance, we risk the atrophy of human judgment—the very muscle that makes self-government possible. I have transitioned from the academy to the public square to answer a single, urgent question: How do we keep law human in the age of the machine? Today, I operate at the intersection of legal philosophy, complexity science, and risk management to help institutions survive the "Liability Void"—the growing gap between the speed of AI and the capacity of human accountability. I lead this work through two vehicles: 1. The Institute for AI & Democratic Governance (Founding Director) A research and advocacy body dedicated to defending the civic virtues required for democracy. We provide the moral and structural frameworks to ensure that algorithmic efficiency never usurps the agency of the citizen. 2. Author & Speaker My upcoming book, Our Unfinished Work, explores how we can reclaim our civic habits in an automated world. I write weekly on these themes at "The Exile" on Substack. We are entering an era where technology can predict our decisions, but it cannot take responsibility for them. If you are a leader looking to build AI strategies that amplify human judgment rather than replace it, let’s connect.
"Democracy is a Practice, Not a Prediction. I lead the Institute for AI & Democratic Governance to reclaim the human element in law and policy. We research the hidden costs of automation—specifically the atrophy of civic virtue—and provide the frameworks leaders need to ensure technology serves democracy, rather than replacing it."
Serving as a research affiliate within the Center for AI in Society and Ethics (CASE). Academic Collaboration: Partnering with the Undergraduate Arts and Humanities program to integrate ethical frameworks into AI curricula. Institutional Presence: Maintaining an on-campus research office to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue between the Institute for AI and Democratic Governance and NC State faculty/students. Focus Areas: Developing resources for the "Embedding AI in Society Ethically" (EASE) project, focusing on the intersection of civic virtue and agentic AI.
• Engaged in teaching and research focused on AI, jurisprudence, and governance at North Carolina Central University School of Law. • Developed academically rigorous programs that integrate legal theory with practical policy and institutional design. • Collaborated on grants and participated in executive education and policy labs to enhance public impact.
Technology is changing the way we understand ourselves and the world. I am a leader in understanding these changes. Students who have worked with me are now leaders the fields of legal technology and AI ethics.
Teaching, "Introduction to the American Legal System"