Humans In The Lead: Community AI Summit
Humans in the Lead: Community AI Summit
Building Trustworthy and Sustainable AI
AI is rapidly reshaping how we work, learn, do business, govern, and engage with our communities. The question is not simply what AI can do, but how we ensure people remain in the lead.
Join community leaders, students, educators, policymakers, business leaders, technology professionals, and advocates for a day of candid conversations about the opportunities, risks, and real-world impacts of artificial intelligence.
We’ll explore AI governance and ethics, trustworthy and sustainable AI, upskilling and entrepreneurship, and the broader impact of AI on people and communities.
📅 Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
📍 GVSU DeVos Center Building E, Downtown Grand Rapids
🎟️ Free and open to the community. Breakfast and lunch provided.
AI is moving fast. Our communities deserve a voice in where it takes us
Thank you to:
Sponsors
GVSU Political Science Department
GVSU College of Computing
GVSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
GVSU Koeze Business Ethics Initiative
GVSU Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies
Gentex Corporation
Scales Consulting
Partners
Earthjustice
NAACP Grand Rapids
NAACP GVSU
Parking
Seward Parking Ramp
520 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Ticket validation at registration table
Schedule of Events
8:30-9:15am Registration, Light Breakfast, Networking DEV 105 E
9:15am Welcome & Opening Remarks. Loosemore Auditorium
9:45am Mainstage Panel. Loosemore Auditorium
Humans in the Lead: Environmental Justice, Sustainability and Our Communities
11:00am Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Round 1
1A Watching the Watchers: AI, Surveillance and Public Safety DEV 201A
1B The AI Shift: What’s Changing in Business and Industry DEV 204A
1C Use It, Don’t Lose It: AI and the Future of Human Thinking DEV 205A
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00pm Keynote: Abre’ Conner. NAACP Director of the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice. Loosemore Auditorium
The Cloud has a Footprint: AI, Energy & Environmental Justice
2:00pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Round 2
2A Relationships in the Age of AI: Friends, Mentors or Machines? DEV 201A
2B Level Up: AI Skills for Work and Life DEV 204A
2C AI and Immersive Tech in Action: Demonstrate and Interact DEV 205A
2:55pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Round 3
3A Scale Smarter: AI for Nonprofits, Entrepreneurs and Businesses DEV 201A
3B AI and the Future of Health: Innovation, Ethics and Trust DEV 204A
3C Who Gets Heard? AI, Social Media and Free Expression DEV 205A
3:55pm Concluding Mainstage Panel. Loosemore Auditorium
Humans in the Lead: Governing AI for the Public Good
4:45pm Concluding Plenary Address. Loosemore Auditorium
X.Eyeé, CEO, Malo Santo