Symposium 2026

The Role of AI & Continuous Improvement

 

On behalf of the Future of People at Work (FPW) community, we are pleased to invite you to a focused gathering on the Role of AI and Continuous Improvement, hosted at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, this May 7th and May 8th.

 

Building on the momentum from our Detroit (2024) and Salt Lake City (2025) symposiums, this gathering brings practitioners, researchers, and leaders together to explore how AI and human-centered continuous improvement can work together to shape the future of work. The event also provides a low-cost forum for FPW working groups to connect and advance their initiatives - both in person and virtually.

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Dates: May 7–8, 2026

 

Format: In-person and hybrid (virtual access available for Day 2)

 

Location: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh, PA

 

Cost: Free – Attendance and lunch on May 8 are included. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and other meal expenses.

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Day 1 – Thursday, May 7

 

Optional Onsite Tours & Networking | Starting at 1:00 p.m.  | In-person only

Afternoon site tours offer firsthand learning at organizations practicing continuous improvement:

• Presbyterian Senior Care Network – a skilled nursing and senior living community

• A Pittsburgh-area manufacturing site (to be confirmed)

   

Evening Networking

Join fellow participants for an evening gathering at the Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh’s space exploration museum, with an introduction by Executive Director Dr. Jimyse L. Brown.

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Day 2 – Friday, May 8 (Main Program)

 

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  | Hybrid (in-person and virtual)

 

Morning Sessions

• The Latest in AI – Presentations from CMU faculty and invited experts on current AI developments and their practical implications

• AI and Continuous Improvement – Exploring the opportunities, challenges, and real-world applications at the intersection of AI and CI

• Ethics and Leadership Implications – A discussion with Bill O’Rourke, globally recognized leader in ethics, retired Alcoa executive and author of The Business Ethics Field Guide

• Campus Lab Tours – Selected CMU AI research labs and applied technology demonstrations

   

Mid-Morning - Afternoon Sessions

• FPW Working Group Sessions – Collaborative working time for teams advancing FPW initiatives

• Working Group Report-Outs – Key insights, outcomes, and next steps shared across the full group

 

Why Join Us?

 

Carnegie Mellon is among the world’s leading institutions in AI research, making it an ideal setting to explore the intersection of AI and continuous improvement. This gathering offers the chance to:

• Engage directly with CMU experts and FPW practitioners at the intersection of AI and continuous improvement

• Collaborate on real-world initiatives shaping the future of work

• Build relationships with a diverse, cross-sector group of peers committed to improvement

• Advance your working group’s progress with dedicated in-person collaboration time - at minimal cost

   

 

Registration & Logistics
 

Register: Please mark your calendar and complete your registration using this Registration Link.
 

Hotel: A limited number of rooms are available at SpringHill Suites – Bakery Square. We encourage you to book early.
 

Questions: Contact us at connect@imaginingexcellence.org