The AI Debate for Young Professionals - Power vs Principle

Venue and speakers will be announced soon.

Event exclusively for young professionals.

Join us for a formal Oxford-style debate examining the dual challenges of the AI revolution. This event brings together experts to deliberate on two fundamental tensions: the drive for national strategic advantage and the preservation of human dignity.

The evening follows the Intelligence Squared model—a structured, civil forum designed to move beyond surface-level talking points and explore the complexities of technological ethics and global policy.

The Format: The “Needle” Test

In this “3rd Coast” adaptation, the audience holds the ultimate power. We utilize a pre- and post-debate voting system to determine the winner based on who can most effectively sway the room:

Round 1: Opening Statements: Each speaker has 7 minutes to present their case without interruption [02:12].

Round 2: Discussion & Q&A: A 30-minute period of intense, direct interaction between teams, moderated questioning, and live questions from the audience [02:27].

Round 3: Closing Statements: Each panelist provides a 2-minute summary to deliver their final, persuasive argument [01:17:58].

The Verdict: The winner is not the team with the most total votes, but the team that changes the most minds—achieving the highest percentage increase between the pre-debate and post-debate polls [01:26:42].

To get a sense of the pace, the civil tone, and the voting process, you can watch “We Were Right to Brexit” – Intelligence Squad.

This video illustrates how the “Needle Test” works in practice—from the initial poll to the final measurement of which side most effectively shifted public opinion.

What’s in it for YOU?

This program is designed to provide more than just information; it offers a competitive and intellectual “edge” for the modern professional:

• Sharpen Your Critical Thinking: Learn to deconstruct complex arguments and identify logical fallacies in real-time.
• Professional Networking: Connect with a diverse cohort of peers in tech, law, and policy who are equally invested in the ethical future of their industries.
• The Art of Persuasion: Observe how elite debaters use evidence and rhetoric to move a room—skills you can apply in the boardroom or at the negotiation table.
• Be the Jury: Your vote matters. Unlike a lecture, you are the final judge of which argument holds the most weight.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston