Where is AI in 2026 and Where is it Going?

Overview

This is a free, public workshop organized by the AI Safety Awareness Project. It is designed for a broad audience with no technical background required, providing a comprehensive, beginner-friendly look at where artificial intelligence may head over the next 1 to 5 years. The event focuses on practical implications for everyday life, work, society, and personal relationships, and it emphasizes both the breakthroughs and the risks associated with today’s AI systems. Attendees will gain a fast paced overview of current AI capabilities, see live demonstrations, and participate in interactive forecasting exercises to compare their predictions with those of the broader community.

Agenda

The session combines accessible explanations with hands-on demonstrations and participatory activities. Topics include:

• Jobs: Could AI lead to mass unemployment or help create new kinds of work?
• Crime: How might AI amplify scams, hacking, and other criminal activity?
• Companions: Will AI become a source of emotional or even romantic attachment for some people?
• Society: How do leading researchers expect these trends to shape our future?

What you’ll get from the workshop:

• A fast-paced, beginner-friendly overview of today’s most powerful AI systems
• Live demos illustrating breakthroughs as well as potential risks
• Interactive forecasting exercises that invite you to test your predictions against a wider community
• A thoughtful, forward-looking discussion about how AI could change the way we work, trust, connect, and even love

Speakers

• Saffron Rivett (host and organizer)
• Vijayasri Sairam Jalla
• Dhivya Santhakumar The event is hosted by the AI Safety Awareness Project, with Saffron Rivett as a primary organizer and speaker.

Location

The event takes place offline at West Des Moines Public Library – Millie Knee Classroom, located at 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA. The venue details include a map embedded in the page for quick reference and directions. Attendees should plan for on-site registration and seating at the venue, with the option to join the event in person.

Who should attend

This workshop is intended for anyone curious about AI and its implications for daily life, work, and society. It is suitable for people with no technical background who want to understand what AI can currently do, what it might do in the near future, and how to think critically about the opportunities and risks involved.

Additional notes

The event runs as a one-time session on June 13, 2026, with a schedule that includes time for demos, discussion, and interactive activities. Attendees may register for free, and there is a standard admission option available on the page. The session emphasizes dialogue and shared forecasting to help attendees forecast AI’s impact with others, fostering a broader understanding of the coming changes in technology and society.