{"id":3766,"date":"2019-12-19T11:15:55","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T16:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=3766"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:58:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T15:58:39","slug":"klehlecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/events-landing\/klehlecture\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kleh Family Foundation Distinguished Lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>The series is made possible by the generosity of Bill (LAW&#8217;71) and Patty Kleh and the Kleh Family Foundation.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>London: The Kleh Family Foundation Distinguished Lecture<\/h3>\n<p><em>Wednesday, May 6, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Boston University London Academic Centre hosted The Kleh Family Foundation Distinguished Lecture given by Woodrow Hartzog, the Andrew R. Randall Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law.<\/p>\n<p>The evening featured Hartzog\u2019s lecture &#8220;How AI Destroys Institutions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-30416 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/profile\/woodrow-hartzog\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/alumni\/files\/2026\/07\/hartzog_circle-300x300.png\" alt=\"Woodrow Hartzog the Andrew R. Randall Professor of Law\" \/>\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Woodrow Hartzog<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n<\/p>\n<h3>About the Lecture: <em>&#8220;How AI Destroys Institutions&#8221;<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>Civic institutions like the rule of law, universities, and a free press are the backbone of democratic life. They are the mechanisms through which complex societies encourage cooperation and stability, while also adapting to changing circumstances. The real superpower of social institutions is their ability to adapt to change while maintaining social legitimacy. Purpose-driven institutions built around transparency, cooperation, and accountability empower individuals to take intellectual risks and challenge the status quo. Institutions flourish thanks to interpersonal relationships, which broaden perspectives and strengthen shared commitment to civic goals.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the affordances of AI systems extinguish these institutional features at every turn. This talk will make one simple point: Curren AI systems are built to function in ways that degrade and, if left unchallenged, are likely to destroy our crucial civic institutions. The current pathologies of AI systems have the effect of eroding expertise, short-circuiting decision-making, and isolating people from each other. These features are anathema to the kind of evolution, transparency, cooperation, and accountability that give vital human institutions their purpose and sustainability. In short, modern AI systems are a death sentence for civic institutions, and we should treat them as such.<\/p>\n<div class=\"dar-line\"><\/div>\n<h2>About the series<\/h2>\n<p>Over the past decade and a half, some of the greatest minds at Boston University have had a rare opportunity: to travel to London and present their best thinking to one of the world\u2019s more discerning audiences.<\/p>\n<p>The event is the William H. and Patricia M. Kleh Lecture, held annually since 2001. As the roster attests, the speakers have been outstanding by any measure. They have addressed an almost astonishing range of topics: from art to politics to journalism to global health\u2014and many, many more. The late Elie Wiesel challenged his audience to embrace peace and fight indifference, and to remain engaged as citizens in times of crisis. Ed Damiano described how his \u201cbionic pancreas\u201d\u2014tantalizingly close to going to clinical trials\u2014might soon revolutionize diabetes care. Even within a single field represented by multiple Kleh Lectures, the diversity of viewpoints has been impressive\u2014music from Bach to Dylan, and empires from the United Kingdom to the United States.<\/p>\n<p>If anything, the Kleh Lecture has exceeded expectations. It has done more for our faculty than anticipated. Far more than we could have hoped, it has reinforced Boston University\u2019s reputation as a global crucible of powerful ideas. And perhaps it\u2019s fair to say that each year, it educates, entertains, and delights its London audiences beyond their already high standards.<\/p>\n<p>Today, on both sides of the Atlantic, people look forward to the Kleh Lecture.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Roster of past speakers<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Professor Taylor Boas<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HrNS6K2Ctsc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Change at All Costs: The Anti-Establishment Electoral Trend in Western Democracies <\/em><\/a><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre and online \u2013 November 6, 2024<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCTXBP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Azer Bestavros<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tUgAhO5etGU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Redefining Tomorrow: The Unprecedented Opportunities and Challenges of Generative AI<\/em><\/a><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre and online \u2013 November 15, 2023<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72177720313225073\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Muhammad H. Zaman<\/strong><br \/>\n<em><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wpAIIZmrvnk?si=cG7lgHS4fWcJHcAc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Global Refugee Crisis: What can scientists and engineers do to ease the suffering and protect the vulnerable?<\/a><\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre and online \u2013 October 6, 2022<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72177720302987552\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Nahid Bhadelia<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Surviving the Age of Epidemics: How do we build resilience against new infectious diseases?<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre and online \u2013 October 14, 2021<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72157720018065223\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Virginia Sapiro<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Seeking Solace from History? Elections and Threats to Democracy<\/em><br \/>\nOnline\u2014October 28, 2020<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cathie Jo Martin<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Neoliberalism, Social Investment, and the Fortunes of Low-skill Youth: Literary Memes from the Anglo and Nordic Worlds<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre \u2013 November 21, 2019<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72157711962335801\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Maureen A. O\u2019Rourke<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Copyright Law in the Digital Age<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre \u2013 November 8, 2018<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/sets\/72157703455771034\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Adil Najam<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>The New World Disorder: The Politics of Anti-politics<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre \u2013 November 1, 2017<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72157666118779439\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Kevin Outterson<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Ready for a World Without Antibiotics? The Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance and How to Address It<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre \u2013 November 3, 2016<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/gp\/bualumni\/0hig56\"> Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Vivien A. Schmidt<\/b><br \/>\n<em>The Eurozone Crisis: A Problem of Economics or Politics?<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre \u2013 21 October 2015<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/sets\/72157683455699180\/\"> Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Edward Damiano<\/b><br \/>\n<em>BU&#8217;s Bionic Pancreas \u2013 A Revolutionary Technology for Diabetes Treatment<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u20149 October 2014<\/p>\n<p><b>Jonathon L. Simon<\/b><br \/>\n<em>The Proof is in the Population: Evidence for Action for Global Health<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u20144 October 2013<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bostonia\/2013\/envoy-kleh\/\"> Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Robert Brown<\/b><br \/>\n<em>The Chemistry of Quality: Research Universities in a Rapidly Changing World<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u20148 November 2012<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bualumni\/albums\/72157632008600581\"> Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Andrew Bacevich<\/b><br \/>\n<em>9\/11 Plus Ten: Reflecting on the Strategic Implications of a Wasted Decade<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u201426 October 2011<\/p>\n<p><b>Tom Fiedler<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Good News or Bad News: Journalism in a State of Flux on Both Sides of the Atlantic<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u20143 November 2010<\/p>\n<p><b>Hugh O\u2019Donnell<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Site-Specific Art: Collaboration Between Art &amp; Industry<\/em><br \/>\nBoston University London Centre\u20147 October 2009<\/p>\n<p><b>Simon Gilchrist<\/b><br \/>\n<em>The U.S. Financial Crisis: How Did It Start? How Will It End?<\/em><br \/>\nTwo Temple Place\u201413 November 2008<\/p>\n<p><b>Husain Haqqani<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Pakistan: The West\u2019s Troubled &amp; Troubling Ally<\/em><br \/>\nTwo Temple Place\u201425 October 2007<\/p>\n<p><b>Gerald Keusch<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Saving Ourselves: Global Warming &amp; Global Health<\/em><br \/>\nWestminster Hall, St. James Hotel\u201414 November 2006<\/p>\n<p><b>Peter Hawkins<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Lost &amp; Found: The Bible in Contemporary America<\/em><br \/>\nTwo Temple Place\u201410 November 2005<\/p>\n<p><b>Andr\u00e9 de Quadros<\/b><br \/>\n<em>J. S. Bach<\/em><br \/>\nRoyal College of Music\u20144 November 2004<\/p>\n<p><b>Andrew Bacevich<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Dynamics of America\u2019s Global Leadership<\/em><br \/>\nImperial College\u201425 March 2004<\/p>\n<p><b>Diana Wylie<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Lessons of Empire: Britain &amp; America<\/em><br \/>\nThe American School in London\u201410 March 2003<\/p>\n<p><b>Elie Wiesel<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Imagining Peace, Against Indifference<\/em><br \/>\nFreemasons\u2019 Hall\u201423 October 2002<\/p>\n<p><b>Ronald A. Cass<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Terrorism, the Rule of Law &amp; Trade: The Aftershocks of 9\/11<\/em><br \/>\nRoyal Geographical Society\u201410 April 2002<\/p>\n<p><b>Lord Hugh Thomas<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Why \u201cAmerica\u201d?<\/em><br \/>\nThe American School in London\u20141 November 2001<\/p>\n<p><b>Christopher Ricks<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Bob Dylan\u2019s Art &amp; the Art of Poetry<\/em><br \/>\nRoyal Geographical Society\u201418 April 2001<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The series is made possible by the generosity of Bill (LAW&#8217;71) and Patty Kleh and the Kleh Family Foundation. London: The Kleh Family Foundation Distinguished Lecture Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Boston University London Academic Centre hosted The Kleh Family Foundation Distinguished Lecture given by Woodrow Hartzog, the Andrew R. Randall Professor of Law at Boston [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16691,"featured_media":0,"parent":267,"menu_order":21,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3766"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3766"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30427,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3766\/revisions\/30427"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}