Where is AI in 2026 and Where is it Going? | San Diego UCSD

​Where is AI in 2026 and Where is it Going?

​​​​​​​​​A free, public workshop—no technical background needed

​​​​​​​​​In just the past 8 months, AI has advanced at a pace that stunned even leading experts. These systems aren’t science fiction anymore—they’re reshaping work, relationships, and even crime in real time.

​​​​​​​​​This workshop explores where AI may be in the next 1–5 years and what that means for your daily life. Together, we’ll tackle urgent questions like:

• ​​​​​​​​​Jobs: Could AI lead to mass unemployment—or entirely new kinds of work?

• ​​​​​​​​​Crime: How might AI supercharge scams, hacking, and even physical crime?

• ​​​​​​​​​Companions: Will people form deep emotional bonds—or even romantic relationships—with AI assistants?

• ​​​​​​​​​Society: How do top researchers think these trends will shape our future?

​​​​​​​​​What you’ll get:

• ​​​​​​​​​A fast-paced, beginner-friendly overview of today’s most powerful AI systems

• ​​​​​​​​​Live demos that reveal both the breakthroughs and the risks

• ​​​​​​​​​An interactive forecasting exercise where you’ll test your own predictions about AI’s impact

​​​​​​​​​Come ready to explore a future arriving faster than most people realize—one that could transform not just how we work, but how we trust, connect, and even love.