Fostering candid discussions on the future of AI
The Berkeley AI Futures Salon is a new series beginning Fall 2026 convening senior leaders across the UC system, government, and industry several times a semester to foster candid discussions on the future of AI and its impact across key sectors.
Through events and collaborations forged at AI Futures Lab, like the Berkeley AI Futures Salon series, we create opportunities for UC Investments to build direct relationships with UC faculty and researchers as they tackle big questions with data science and artificial intelligence.
Attendance is by-invitation only, and events will feature a conversation between an eminent leader in AI and a facilitator who can guide the discussion for a diverse, interdisciplinary audience.
September: On the Subject of Art in Artificial Intelligence
On September 16, 2026, AI Futures Lab welcomes Sonja Thiel, a curator, philosopher, and historian, for a conversation with Greg Niemeyer, UC Berkeley Professor of Media Innovation. Following the conversation, there will be a facilitated discussion and a post-discussion gathering. Other guests include featured artists from the art exhibition “Hidden Layers: AI Infrastructures and Hallucinations”, curated by Antonio Somaini with Hannes Bajohr and Sonja Thiel, in dialogue with the France–Berkeley research initiative The Latent Spaces of Culture, and on display at the Worth Ryder Art Gallery. Apply to attend this Berkeley AI Futures Salon event.
October: AI, Cities, and Collective Cooperation
On October 28, 2026, AI Futures Lab welcomes Neha Arora, Engineering Lead for Mobility AI at Google Research, for a conversation around the transportation sector. (details coming soon!)
November: A Tale of Two Cultures, Can Agentic Coding Close the Gap?
On November 18, 2026, AI Futures Lab welcomes Ken Goldberg, UC Berkeley Professor and William S. Floyd Jr. Distinguished Chair in Engineering, for a conversation around the global robotics research community. (details coming soon!)