Conference on Society Centered AI

February 12 -14, 2026

Duke University, Durham, NC

The #SCAI2026: Conference on Society-Centered AI (previously Responsible AI Symposium), co-sponsored by The Society-Centered AI Initiative at Duke, the Fuqua School of Business, the Center for Computational Thinking, and the Duke Artificial Intelligence Master of Engineering, will bring together industry and academic leaders, researchers, and students to discuss emerging trends in society-centered AI.

The event will consist of keynotes by world-renowned researchers, expert panels, spotlight research talks, and daily research poster sessions with art exhibits and mocktails.

The 2025 event attracted over 700 people representing over 50 companies and 20 universities. We look forward to hosting you for the second event in 2026. Registration is required.

Register Here

Sponsors

Articial Intelligence Master of Engineering wordmark
Duke Center for Computational Thinking Wordmark
Duke Science & Society
Duke Fuqua wordmark with COLE Coach K Center for Leadership and Ethics wordmark
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SCAI Wordmark + Logo Stacked - PRIMARY

Speakers

Keynotes

Arvind speaking at a podium

Arvind Narayanan
Princeton University

headshot of Reggie Townsend

Reggie Townsend
SAS

head shot of Nicholas Christakis - photo credit: Evan Mann

Nicholas Christakis
Yale University

Panel on AI Companionship & Intimacy

bio pic of Kaamna Bhojwani

Kaamna Bhojwani
Sex, Tech, and Spirituality Podcast

headshot of Jana Borg

Jana Schaich Borg
Duke University

bio_sinnotarmstrong

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Duke University

headshot of Timothy J. Strauman.

Timothy J. Strauman
Duke University

New Faculty Spotlights

Headshot of Alessio Brini
Alessio Brini, PhD

Pratt School of Engineering

Headshot of Rich Eva
Rich Eva, PhD
Pratt School of Engineering
Headshot of Brandon Fain
Brandon Fain, PhD
Computer Science
Headshot Wenhao Jiang
Wenhao Jiang
Sociology
Headshot of Tong Qiu
Tong Qiu

Ecology

Daniel Scott Smith's headshot
Daniel Scott Smith
Sociology
bio_richard so
Richard So
English
bio_washington
Anne L. Washington

Sanford School of Public Policy

Headshot of Shuyan Zhou
Shuyan Zhou
Computer Science

More speakers are being confirmed. Read #SCAI2026 speakers bios here.

Event Schedule

Time Event
9:00–9:15 AMOpening Remarks
9:15–10:00 AMKeynote: Arvind Narayanan
10:00–10:15 AMBreak
10:15–11:45 AMBuilding Society-Centered AI Panel
11:45 AM–1:00 PMBreak for Lunch (lunch on your own)
1:00–4:00 PMNew Faculty Research Talks (8× 20 mins)
  • 1:00p - Richard So
  • 1:20p - Shuyan Zhou
  • 1:40p - Daniel Scott Smith
  • 2:00p - Alessio Brini
  • 2:20p - Rich Eva
  • 2:40p - Tong Qiu
  • 3:00p - Brandon Fain
  • 3:20p - Wenhao Jiang
  • 3:40p - Anne L Washington
4:00–5:30 PMPoster Session & Art Demos (light snacks, drinks)
Time Event
9:00–9:45 AMKeynote: Reggie Townsend
9:45–10:00 AMBreak
10:00-11:30 AMTBD Panel
Aaron Chatterji and guests
11:30–11:45 AMSCAI Hackathon Winners Talk
11:45 AM–1:00 PMBreak for Lunch (lunch on your own)
1:00–1:45 PMKeynote: Nicholas Christakis
1:45–2:15 PMFireside Chat: Nicholas Christakis and Chris Bail
2:15–2:30 PMBreak
2:30–4:00 PMAI Companionship & Intimacy Panel
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Kaamna Bhojwani,
Jana Schaich Borg, Timothy J. Strauman
4:00–5:30 PMPoster Session & Art Demos & Drink Responsibly Mocktails
with light snacks/mocktails)
5:30–6:00 PMMeet and Greet with SCAI faculty and graduate students
Time Event
9:00–9:45 AMKeynote: TBD
9:45–10:00 AMBreak
10:00–11:30 AMAI and the Creative Economy Panel
Moderator: David Hoffman
11:30 AM–12:00 PMBreak for Lunch (lunch on your own)
12:00–12:45 PMFireside Chat: Human-AI Teaming
12:45–1:00 PMBreak
1:00–2:30 PMTBD Panel
2:30–2:45 PMBreak
2:45–3:30 PMResearch Rapid Fire (8 talks, 5 mins each)
3:30–5:00 PMPoster Session, Art Demos, Mix and Mingle
light snacks and mocktails

Location

The Conference on Society Centered AI is being hosted in the Fuqua School of Business Campus at Duke University. 

Talks will be held in Geneen Auditorium. Poster sessions will be held in the neighboring Winter Garden in the Fox Student Center.

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Contact

Please contact the conference planning team at scaievents@duke.edu,
and subscribe to the Society-Centered AI newsletter here.