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Summit Overview, Objectives, and Call for Proposals

Maryville College is set to host its second annual AI Summit on May 12 and 13 at the Maryville College Downtown Center, an event designed to delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across various sectors. The summit will gather educators, technologists, nonprofit leaders, and business professionals to discuss how AI is reshaping classrooms, workplaces, and societal aspects, including ethics, culture, and the environment. This year's event expands significantly upon the inaugural summit held in 2025, which primarily focused on AI's implications for higher education and classroom experiences. The broadened scope reflects Maryville College's ongoing AI Initiative, which adopts a liberal arts perspective to explore artificial intelligence. This initiative encourages a comprehensive examination of AI, extending beyond its technical innovations to consider its profound ethical implications, social impact, and practical applications across diverse disciplines. Dr. Niklas Trzaskowski, director of the Maryville College Career Center and one of the key organizers, emphasized the summit's expanded conversational reach. He stated, 'This year, we’re expanding the conversation. We want to bring together educators, business professionals, nonprofit leaders and technologists to talk about how AI is affecting their work and how it is shaping our communities and our world.' This approach highlights the College's belief that a liberal arts environment is ideal for fostering multidisciplinary dialogue on complex issues like AI. Trzaskowski noted that artificial intelligence raises questions that necessitate perspectives from various fields, including education, business, ethics, and culture, to collectively determine how these tools should be utilized and what kind of future they will help create. To ensure a rich and diverse range of discussions, organizers are actively soliciting proposals for 50-minute summit sessions. Potential presenters are invited to submit proposals on critical themes such as teaching and learning in the age of AI, practical applications of AI in both business and nonprofit organizations, and the broader social, cultural, and environmental implications of artificial intelligence. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Presenters whose proposals are selected will receive complimentary admission to the summit. Further details regarding the program, including featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and the complete event schedule, are anticipated to be released in the coming weeks. The organizers also plan to offer flexible one- and two-day ticket options for members of the public interested in attending and participating in these vital discussions. The Blount Partnership continues its role as a key sponsor for the summit, underscoring its commitment to fostering collaborative conversations that bridge educational institutions, industry, and the wider community. Organizations or businesses looking to support the summit financially or through partnerships are encouraged to contact the organizers directly. Maryville College itself is a distinguished nationally ranked institution, celebrated as one of America's oldest colleges. It is situated in Maryville, Tennessee, strategically located between the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the vibrant city of Knoxville. The college provides a wide array of academic opportunities, offering more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs, and comprehensive career preparation. From a student's first day on campus to their graduation, Maryville College upholds its founding Presbyterian principle: to 'do good on the largest possible scale,' preparing students for meaningful contributions to society.