Jax State to Host AI Forward Summit Connecting Education and Industry

10/19/2026

AI Forward: From Classroom to Career will bring together K–12 educators, higher education, students and industry leaders Feb. 11–12; proposals accepted through Nov. 9

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Jacksonville State University will bring educators, students and industry leaders together to explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence during AI Forward: From Classroom to Career, a two-day summit set for Feb. 11–12, 2027, at Merrill Hall.

The summit will focus on how artificial intelligence is changing the way people teach, learn and work while creating opportunities for collaboration among K–12 education, higher education, and business and industry.

“AI is already reshaping our classrooms and workplaces, and higher education has an important role in helping students understand not only how to use these tools, but how to use them thoughtfully and responsibly,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “AI Forward gives us an opportunity to bring educators and industry leaders together to learn from one another and have meaningful conversations about how we prepare students for what comes next.”

Anthony Robbins, a former NVIDIA vice president and Jax State alumnus, will serve as the summit’s featured keynote speaker. Robbins brings decades of experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, innovation and technology and will offer his perspective on how AI is transforming education, industry and the future workforce.

AI Forward will center around three perspectives: K–12 education, higher education and student success, and business and industry. Programming will include keynote and plenary sessions, concurrent breakout sessions, a cross-sector leadership panel, an AI Exhibitor Expo, an AI Showcase poster session and networking opportunities. Featured and curated sessions will also include representatives from Coca-Cola UNITED, Honda, AmFirst Credit Union and other industry leaders.

Call for Proposals Open Through Nov. 9

As part of the summit, Jax State is inviting educators, higher education professionals and industry partners to help shape the conversation by submitting proposals highlighting their ideas, research and experiences with AI.

Proposals are being accepted in two primary content areas: K–12 Education and Higher Education & Student Success. Topics may address teaching and learning with AI, student AI literacy and readiness, academic integrity and responsible AI use, accessibility and student support, faculty and staff productivity, institutional practices and preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. Industry professionals whose work has a clear connection to K–12 or higher education are also encouraged to submit proposals in partnership with an educational institution or school.

Presenters may propose a 30-minute long presentation, 10-minute short presentation or participation in the AI Showcase poster session. The showcase will provide an informal setting for faculty and students to share AI-related projects, research, classroom applications, creative work, prototypes and other projects with attendees.

Proposals must be submitted by Nov. 9, 2026. Submissions will be reviewed for relevance, clarity, audience value, practical application and alignment with the goals of AI Forward. Selected presenters will be notified in early December, and registration for accepted presenters is complimentary.

AI Forward begins Thursday, Feb. 11, with the AI Exhibitor Expo, opening keynote, breakout sessions, cross-sector conversation and AI Showcase. Programming continues Friday, Feb. 12, with additional breakout and plenary sessions focused on connecting conversations to action. Optional post-conference workshops will also be offered Friday afternoon.

The summit is designed for K–12 educators and administrators, higher education faculty and staff, students, business and industry professionals, and workforce and community partners.

Registration for AI Forward is complimentary, but advance registration is required. Early registration continues through Jan. 9, with final registration closing Jan. 27.

For more information about AI Forward: From Classroom to Career, including registration, the full schedule and the call for proposals, visit the AI Forward website.