ӰԺ to Host Regional AI Conference
PULASKI, Tenn. — The ӰԺ will host a regional conference focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in education next week, bringing together educators, students, and industry partners to explore how emerging technologies are shaping teaching, learning, and workforce readiness.
The two-day conference will welcome more than 40 participants from across Tennessee and Alabama, including ӰԺ faculty and students, as well as middle school, high school, and postsecondary educators. The event reflects ӰԺ’s continued focus on connecting academic experience with real-world application and preparing students for a rapidly evolving landscape.
“This conference reflects the kind of work we are committed to doing at ӰԺ,” said Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD. “We are creating opportunities for students and educators to engage with new ideas, learn from one another, and better understand how tools like AI are already shaping the world around us.”
The conference will feature 13 presenters and volunteers and will include dedicated tracks for both educators and students. Sessions will highlight practical applications of AI in classrooms—particularly in math and science—while also exploring broader implications for the future of education and workforce development.
The event is supported through a collaborative network of partners, including , which is providing sponsorship to support participant experience, as well as academic partners from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Moraine Valley Community College. Both institutions bring specialized expertise through grant-funded initiatives focused on advancing AI education and educator pathways.
Dr. Prentice T. Chandler, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Experience, will open the conference with remarks highlighting the importance of integrating emerging technologies into education across the region.
“AI is not a future concept—it is already influencing how we teach, learn, and prepare students,” said Chandler. “Bringing together educators and partners in this way allows us to share ideas, build capacity, and ensure our students are equipped for what comes next.”
In addition to faculty and educators, ӰԺ students will participate in the conference, gaining exposure to AI tools and concepts that align with their academic and career interests.
The conference also reflects ӰԺ’s role as a convener within the Southern Middle Tennessee corridor, bringing together partners across education and industry to expand opportunities and strengthen pathways for students.