BRING A LAPTOP

Buffalo State University · Butler 210

AI & Agency:
Reshaping Learning
and Work

A cross-sector convening bringing together educators, business leaders, students, and community members to examine how artificial intelligence is transforming what we learn and how we work.

Date April 17th, 2026
Lunch 12:00 PM — Student Dining Hall
Conference 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location Butler 210, Buffalo State
Register on Eventbrite Present or Sponsor

to this conference — Organizers · Sponsors · Presenters · Ideators · Panelists · Commentators

About the Conference

Where Ideas Meet Impact

AI & Agency is a one-day conference designed to spark honest, forward-looking conversations about artificial intelligence — not just as a technology, but as a force reshaping how institutions teach, how organizations operate, and how individuals define their own roles in an automated world. Participants from local schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and government will share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and leave with new connections and concrete insights.

Keynote Speaker

Siwei Lyu

Portrait of Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo

Siwei Lyu is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He is the Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (IAD) and the founding Director of the UB Media Forensic Lab (UB MDFL).

Dr. Lyu's research interests include media forensics, computer vision, and machine learning. He has published over 240 refereed journal and conference papers, with research funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Learn more about Siwei Lyu →

Day at a Glance

Tentative Program Overview

12:00 PM
Welcome Lunch

Student Dining Hall ($8 - not covered in registration) - connect with fellow attendees before the program begins.

1:00 PM
Opening & Panel Debate

An inclusive session: the moderator opens and leads the session. Two panelists give short presentations from opposite sides of the AI revolution. Two discussants pose and curate questions from the audience. The audience submits questions by text or Zoom; an audience question receiver reads those questions aloud for the panel.

2:30 PM
Faculty Presentations

Research and practice-based presentations from educators across the region.

4:00 PM
Keynote Address – Siwei Lyu

Keynote by Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor and SUNY Empire Innovation Professor at the University at Buffalo, exploring the broader societal implications of AI-driven transformation.

5:00 PM
INGRID presentations — Leaders from Buffalo's AI community share grounded, real-world perspectives on innovation, education, and community impact.

Hear invited leaders from Buffalo's AI community share practical examples, lessons learned, and where they see AI headed next.

6:00 PM
Networking Reception

Informal networking to close the day — build relationships across sectors.

Get Involved

Join the Conversation

Whether you're here to learn, present, or invest in the next generation of thinkers — there's a place for you at AI & Agency.

🎓

Attend

Students, faculty, professionals, and community members from across the region are welcome. Gain insight, connect with peers, and engage with cutting-edge ideas.

Register on Eventbrite →
🎤

Present

We are welcoming proposals from faculty, researchers, and practitioners. Share your work or perspective in a 20-minute presentation or as part of a panel discussion.

Submit a Proposal →
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Sponsor

Align your organization with a vital regional conversation. Sponsorship opportunities range from visibility to active participation — with levels designed for every budget.

View Sponsorship Tiers →