AI Meets Society (AIMS) Symposium
Jointly hosted by the Wisconsin AI Safety Initiative (WAISI) and UW–Madison’s School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS), the AI Meets Society (AIMS) Symposium brings together interdisciplinary experts from scientific research, industry, the humanities, and government to examine AI’s real-world impacts and its future trajectory.
Join us for two themed sessions:
- Where is AI Today? A grounded survey of current applications, research directions, and societal impacts
- Where is AI Going? A forward-looking discussion of emerging capabilities, economic and legal implications, and governance
Each session includes four brief presentations, a panel, and smaller group workshops designed for a general audience, no prior expertise assumed.
- Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Time: 9 AM-5 PM
- Location: Morgridge Hall (1205 University Ave) and the Discovery Building (330 N Orchard St), UW–Madison
- Pre-event dinner: Friday, February 20 (invite only for speakers, professionals, and select students)
- Lunch will be provided. Dietary options are available upon request.
- Accessibility: The venue is accessible. Please request necessary accommodations at least 2 weeks in advance.
Schedule
| Friday, February 20, 2026 | |
| 6-8 PM | Pre-Event Mixer (Invite Only) |
| Steenbock’s on Orchard | |
| Saturday, February 21, 2026 | |
| 9-9:15 AM | Opening Remarks |
| Hello, World! Auditorium (Morgridge Hall) | |
| 9:15-10:45 AM | Where Is AI Today? |
| Four 10-minute speaker presentations followed by a brief Q&A | |
| One 30-minute panel discussion followed by a 10-minute Q&A | |
| 10:45 AM-12 PM | Small Discussion Groups |
| Location TBA | |
| 12-1:15 PM | Lunch |
| South Atrium and DeLuca Forum (Discovery Building) | |
| 1:15-2:45 PM | Where Is AI Headed? |
| Hello, World! Auditorium (Morgridge Hall) | |
| Short introduction | |
| Four 10-minute speaker presentations followed by a brief Q&A | |
| One 30-minute panel discussion followed by a 10-minute Q&A | |
| 2:55-4 PM | Small Discussion Groups |
| Location TBA | |
| 4-4:15 PM | Closing Remarks |
| Hello, World! Auditorium (Morgridge Hall) | |
| 4:15-5 PM | Mixer |
| Morgridge Hall |
Speakers
Session One: Where is AI Today?
Presenters:
Devin Kennedy, PhD
Assistant Professor of History,
Evelyn and Herbert Howe-Bascom Professor of Integrated Liberal Studies,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Courtney Bell, PhD
Director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research,
Professor of Learning Science,
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Kyle Cranmer, PhD
David R. Anderson Director of the American Family Insurance Data Science Institute
Professor in Physics, Computer Sciences, and Statistics,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
[TBD: Speaker from Wisconsin Governor’s Office]
Wisconsin Governor’s Office
State of Wisconsin
Panelists:
BJ Ard, J.D., PhD
Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development,
Associate Professor of Law,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Adam Neylon
Wisconsin State Assembly,
District 15 (R-Pewaukee)
Clinton Anderson
Wisconsin State Assembly,
District 45 (D-Beloit)
Charlie Bullock, J.D.
Senior Research Fellow,
Institute for Law & AI
Session Two: Where is AI Going?
Presenters:
Dimitris Papailiopoulos, PhD
Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Associate Professor,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Patrick McDaniel, PhD
Tsun-Ming Shih Professor of Computer Sciences,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Stephen Casper
PhD Researcher in Computer Science,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Iskandar Haykel
Senior Policy Analyst,
Americans for Responsible Innovation
Panelists:
Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, PhD
Director, School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Serena Booth
Former AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow in U.S. Senate
Assistant Professor of Computer Science,
Brown University
Jerry Zhu, PhD
Stephen C. Kleene Professor in Computer Sciences,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Lewis Hammond
Research Director,
Cooperative AI Foundation
Applications are now open!
Applications are rolling, and close February 7th. This event is open to professionals (faculty, policymakers, practitioners, UW staff) and students, with priority for graduate students. Acceptance is not guaranteed and capacity is limited to 300 attendees.
Advisory Board
Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, PhD
Director, School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences,
Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Kyle Cranmer, PhD
David R. Anderson Director of the American Family Insurance Data Science Institute
Professor in Physics, Computer Sciences, and Statistics,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Patrick McDaniel, PhD
Director, Center for Trustworthy Machine Learning
Tsun-Ming Shih Professor of Computer Sciences,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Jerry Zhu, PhD
Stephen C. Kleene Professor in Computer Sciences,
Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Devin Kennedy, PhD
Assistant Professor of History,
Evelyn and Herbert Howe-Bascom Professor of Integrated Liberal Studies,
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Clinton Anderson
Wisconsin State Assembly – District 45 (D–Beloit)
Adam Neylon
Wisconsin State Assembly – District 15 (R-Pewaukee)
AIMS Sponsors
This event is possible through the generous support of our sponsors:
WAISI is currently seeking sponsors to support AIMS. Interested companies and organizations should contact the event organizers at AIMSOrganizers@gmail.com.
Contact Organizers: AIMSOrganizers@gmail.com