---
title: "Debate: Do the Risks of Artificial Intelligence Outweigh Its Benefits?"
summary: |-
  In a debate series hosted by the Washington Union Society in partnership with the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, ITIF Founder and Senior Fellow Rob Atkinson speaks in opposition to the following motion: “This House believes the risks of artificial intelligence outweigh its benefits.”
date: "2026-10-03"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/events/2026/10/03/debate-do-the-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-outweigh-its-benefits/"
---

# Debate: Do the Risks of Artificial Intelligence Outweigh Its Benefits?

**Location:** Jack Morton Auditorium, George Washington University, Washington, DC

In a debate series hosted by the [Washington Union Society](https://gwu.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/washingtonunion) in partnership with the [Sandra Day O’Connor Institute](https://oconnorinstitute.org/), ITIF Founder and Senior Fellow Rob Atkinson speaks in opposition to the following motion: “This House believes the risks of artificial intelligence outweigh its benefits.”

The debate follows a modified British Parliamentary–style format, with two speakers per side. 

The structure is as follows:

- Proposition Speaker One—10 minutes
- Opposition Speaker One—10 minutes
- Proposition Speaker Two—10 minutes
- Opposition Speaker Two—10 minutes
- Floor Questioning—10 minutes
- Closing statements—5 minutes per speaker above order

During floor questioning, members of the audience are permitted to ask questions to any speaker or side.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/events/2026/10/03/debate-do-the-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-outweigh-its-benefits/*