Chattanooga AI Summit for Business Executives & Community Leaders

Human First, AI Next

Responsible Leadership, Workforce Readiness, and Ethical Automation

DECEMBER 3, 2026

ERLANGER PARK

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for executives and community leaders so that you can be educated and energized on ways to integrate AI into your organization.

AI isn't just about adopting new software—it's about leading your organization into the future with confidence, ethics, and clear purpose. The Chattanooga AI Summit is a high-level strategic forum designed to help business executives and nonprofit leaders demystify artificial intelligence, overcome integration anxieties, and build a responsible AI strategy tailored specifically to your organizational needs.

Before diving into complex technical applications, true transformation requires strong leadership, open dialogue, and trusted guidance. This summit bridges that gap by facilitating community-wide conversations and providing direct access to leading AI consultants and industry experts. Connect with peers, ask tough questions, and discover how to deploy AI ethically, safely, and effectively.

  • Remove the Fear: Dismantle adoption anxieties with clear, pragmatic frameworks from seasoned AI advisors.

  • Ethical & Strategic Alignment: Learn how to evaluate and implement AI tools grounded in your core values and business objectives.

  • Expert Access: Engage directly in interactive discussions with industry consultants and peer leaders.

  • The Foundational Step: Establish your overarching strategy and governance—laying the groundwork for our upcoming follow-up event on granular tool applications.

This first event lays the groundwork around strategy, policies, ethics, and security. Our next event (Spring 2027) will be for more technical leaders who want to explore applications in business operations and workflows more specifically.

Call for Speakers

As part of the AI Summit, we are looking for speakers to lead innovative lightning talks as well as subject matter experts to engage with groups of executives and leaders throughout the day. We have a limited number of spots and our planning committee will make decisions by the end of October in order to allow time for preparation. Click below to submit your application.

Agenda

AM AGENDA

7:30 - 8:30 AM

REGISTRATION & VENDOR SETUP

8:30 AM

WELCOME SESSION

9:00 AM

KATE O’NEILL - RESPONSIBLE AI LEADERSHIP: DEMYSTIFYING AI FOR EXECUTIVES

10:00 AM

LIGHTNING TALK: AI USE FOR NONPROFITS, RUSSELL MCBRIDE

10:20 AM

AI & OUR WORKFORCE, ERIC LEIDEN, BURNING GLASS INSTITUTE

10:50 AM

LIGHTNING TALK: PREPARING OUR WORKFORCE, THE K-12 CONVERSATION

11:05 AM

LIGHTNING TALK: QUANTUM & AI

11:30 AM

LUNCH BEGINS

PM AGENDA

12:00 PM

LUNCH PANEL: TRENDS & SUCCESSES FROM ACROSS TENNESSEE

1:00 PM

LIGHTNING TALK: UT CHATTANOOGA

1:15 PM

EXPO OPENS AND WORKSHOP SESSIONS BEGIN

AFTERNOON SESSIONS INCLUDE:

AI 101: LANGUAGE AND TERMS

DEVELOPING INTERNAL AI POLICIES & FRAMEWORKS

BASIC AI INTEGRATION INTO BUSINESS OPERATIONS

BASIC AI TOOLS AND WHEN TO USE THEM

PRIVACY & SECURITY

INTEGRATING AGENTS INTO WORKFLOWS

GETTING STARTED: STANDING UP A SMALL R&D TEAM

AI 201: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE STOOD UP AT LEAST ONE AGENT

CHANGE MANAGEMENT: THE PEOPLE SIDE OF AI

OPEN SOURCE AI

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

HAPPY HOUR RECEPTION

SUMMIT AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT