Mind Games: Understanding AI Through Play | New York City
ODSC AI Skills Accelerator is Coming to NYC!
We are ecstatic to announce the return of the ODSC AI Skills Accelerator to New York City in July! Join the local data science and AI community for an exciting, exclusive evening supported by Cranium AI.
Dive into an interactive workshop led by a Cranium AI expert and connect with your peers over complimentary food and drinks. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your AI journey, this is the perfect place to learn, share, and network with fellow innovators.
Featured Session
Speaker: Michael Novack, AI Safety & Cybersecurity Architect at Cranium AI (LinkedIn Profile)
Talk Title: Mind Games: Understanding AI Through Play
Inside the Mind of AI: Learning How Intelligent Systems Think Through Play
AI is moving fast. Yet inside many organizations, there’s a surprising challenge: teams struggle to talk about it. Engineers understand the models, executives see the potential, and product teams see new opportunities. However, the language of AI - neural networks, machine learning, large language models - often creates confusion rather than alignment.
This interactive workshop introduces a new way to bridge that gap. Using FuzzNet Labs, a collaborative board game designed to explain how neural networks and modern AI systems function, participants will explore the fundamentals of machine learning through play. The game transforms complex ideas - like training data, model behavior, and decision pathways - into tangible, interactive experiences that anyone can understand.
Instead of slides or lectures, participants learn by building, experimenting, and discussing AI concepts together. The result is a shared mental model of how AI works beneath the surface.
Why attend? Understanding AI isn’t about memorizing technical terms - it’s about seeing how the system thinks. When teams can map the pathways, connections, and decision-making processes that power modern AI, conversations become clearer, collaboration improves, and organizations can move forward with confidence.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a practical and approachable framework for discussing AI across technical and non-technical teams.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Location: Event Loft — 307 West 38th Street, Studio 1505, New York, NY 10018
Networking: Enjoy Pizza and Refreshments 🍕🥂 included with your attendance!
Evening Agenda
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Arrival, Welcome & Initial Networking Doors open! Grab some snacks and refreshments, and start connecting with the local NYC tech community.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Featured Interactive Workshop by Michael Novack + Q&A. Dive deep into AI systems through hands-on gameplay and discussion.
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Final Networking & Wrap-up Your last chance to connect with the speaker, mingle with fellow attendees, and wrap up your discussions.
RSVP today to secure your spot for this must-attend evening!
Useful Links
Free access to more talks/trainings: Ai+ Training platform
ODSC Blog: opendatascience.com
Slack Channel: Join the Community
Code of Conduct: odsc.ai/code-of-conduct