AI on the Mall: Environmental Decision-Making in a Changing World
Join us during DC Climate Week for an informal outdoor conversation exploring how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape climate resilience in the real world.
This small gathering will bring together climate resilience practitioners (e.g., floodplain managers, engineers, planners) and AI technologists (e.g., developers, deployers, distributors) to exchange perspectives on the opportunities and challenges emerging as AI becomes more integrated into environmental risk management, infrastructure planning, and public decision-making.
Rather than a formal panel, we’ll step outside for a guided walk-and-talk around the Washington Monument, pairing up for conversations sparked by a few thought-provoking prompts. If you can join, please RSVP so we have a rough estimate of group size.
We will meet at the 17th Street Levee Closure, located south of Constitution Ave NW on 17th St NW. From there, we'll follow a loop along the walking paths that surround the Washington Monument Grounds—an ideal setting to explore how technology and climate resilience increasingly intersect in historic cities.
Participants are welcome to continue conversations over Happy Hour at Moxies afterward. Drinks and food are available for purchase.
This meetup will take place concurrently with the San Francisco Climate Week event (AI in the Wild). Afterward, we’ll bring together ideas from both events and share them with participants in DC and San Francisco.
What We'll Explore
As AI adoption accelerates across many sectors, important questions are emerging for those working on environmental and infrastructure challenges:
Where can AI meaningfully support environmental and infrastructure decision-making?
What governance and guardrails are needed as AI enters complex public decisions?
How do we balance technological innovation with concerns around energy use, data infrastructure, and community impacts?
What role should domain expertise and human judgment continue to play as AI tools become more capable?
This meetup is intended as a space for practitioners and curious thinkers to exchange ideas openly and learn from one another.
Agenda
Brief welcome and introductions
Short remarks on the work of the ASFPM AI Subcommittee
Paired walking conversations around the Washington Monument Grounds
Informal networking and idea exchange at Moxies
Hosted By
ASFPM AI Subcommittee – a working group within the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) exploring how artificial intelligence intersects with flood risk management, environmental decision-making, and public infrastructure.
Who Should Attend
Floodplain managers and climate resilience practitioners
Engineers, planners, and infrastructure professionals
AI and data scientists interested in environmental applications
Researchers and policy leaders
Anyone curious about the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and environmental decision-making
Notes
This is a casual outdoor meetup, not a formal presentation.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended. You may also want to bring water and sun protection—hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—since we'll be outdoors. Paths are paved and there are also options nearby for seated conversation, if preferred.
DC Climate Week is not responsible for this event. It is organized by the organizing group, and being listed on the DCCW calendar is not an endorsement of content or partners.