Call for Proposals: “AIx” Pop-Up Events
We are now accepting proposals for AAAI-sponsored “AIx” Pop-Up Events — TEDx-style talks, panels, or public forums
The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) is excited to announce a new initiative to bring timely, trustworthy, and engaging public education on AI to local communities around the world. We are now accepting proposals for AAAI-sponsored “AIx” Pop-Up Events — TEDx-style talks, panels, or public forums designed to engage, educate and empower general audiences on topics related to artificial intelligence. These pop-up events, led by AAAI members are intended to broaden our reach through community-driven, in-person and hybrid gatherings around the globe. What We’re Looking For We invite creative and community-focused proposals for events that: Deliver accurate, engaging, and accessible information about AI. Are open to the public. Reflect local relevance and highlight regional AI work or themes. Demonstrate local support and sustainability, including partnerships and sponsorships. Contribute to public engagement across the globe with AI research and applications. Examples of eligible projects include and are not limited to a podcast miniseries leading to a live pop-up event in a public venue; a panel discussion on AI for agriculture in rural areas; a regional showcase of university and startup AI work, followed by a public Q&A; a community workshop on AI workforce development, cost savings, general societal impact etc. Funding Support and Deliverables Support is available for pilot events at various scales. Selected proposals will receive funding support ranging from $200-$1000 per proposal. Funded events upon completion will be expected to provide a Short video of event highlights in English to be shared on the AAAI youtube channel. Summary report with webpage and event details. Event photos and other material. Proposal Guidelines Each proposal should be no more than 1500 words and should include the following sections with titles: Title – Proposed title for the event and purpose in a single sentence. Event Description – Theme, format (talks, panels, workshops), and goals. Target Audience – Who will attend, expected number of participants and how outreach will be conducted. AAAI will also be able to assist with advertising the event on its webpage and social media. Finances and Budget Request – Estimated costs and requested funding (tiered support available); Provide details of matching funds from local organizations, if any; Details on institution(s) that will receive funding and how AAAI funding will be handled by proposer. AAAI will reimburse costs upon proof of receipt and event details. Local Support – Institutional or community partnerships, venue, sponsorships Timeline – Including proposed event date and planning milestones Organizing Team (please use a bulleted list)– Names, contact information (email and address), affiliations (including AAAI membership number of one or more of the organizers), and relevant experience of the organizers. All events should abide by the AAAI code of conduct . We strongly encourage proposals from all regions of the world. Key Dates Proposal Deadline: Friday, August 1, 2025, (23:59 UTC-12 or Anywhere on Earth (AOE) Notification of Acceptance: Mid-Late September, 2025 Pilot Event Window: October 2025 – July 2026 How to Submit Please submit your proposal and/or questions by the proposal deadline via the online form . Questions? Email membershipAIPop@aaai.org with questions about this program.
Executive Summary
The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) has launched a new initiative to promote public education on AI through 'AIx' Pop-Up Events. These TEDx-style events aim to engage, educate, and empower general audiences on AI topics. Proposals are invited for community-driven, in-person, and hybrid gatherings, with funding support available for pilot events. The initiative seeks to broaden the reach of AI education globally, fostering local relevance and sustainability.
Key Points
- ▸ AAAI's new initiative focuses on public education through 'AIx' Pop-Up Events.
- ▸ Events should be community-driven, in-person, or hybrid, and open to the public.
- ▸ Funding support ranges from $200 to $1000 per proposal for pilot events.
- ▸ Proposals must include detailed sections on event description, target audience, finances, local support, timeline, and organizing team.
- ▸ Selected events must provide a short video, summary report, event photos, and other materials upon completion.
Merits
Community Engagement
The initiative promotes local relevance and engagement by encouraging community-driven events that highlight regional AI work and themes.
Accessibility
By providing funding support and requiring accurate, engaging, and accessible information, the initiative ensures that events are inclusive and reach a broad audience.
Global Reach
The initiative aims to contribute to public engagement with AI research and applications across the globe, fostering a more informed and empowered global community.
Demerits
Limited Funding
The funding support is relatively modest, ranging from $200 to $1000 per proposal, which may limit the scale and impact of some events.
Administrative Burden
The detailed proposal requirements and deliverables may impose a significant administrative burden on organizers, potentially deterring some from applying.
Language Barrier
The requirement for a short video in English may limit the accessibility and reach of the initiative in non-English speaking communities.
Expert Commentary
The AAAI's 'AIx' Pop-Up Events initiative is a commendable effort to democratize AI education and foster public engagement. By focusing on community-driven events, the initiative ensures that AI education is locally relevant and accessible. However, the modest funding support and administrative requirements may pose challenges for some organizers. To maximize the impact of this initiative, AAAI should consider increasing funding support and simplifying the proposal process. Additionally, providing support for non-English language content could enhance the global reach and inclusivity of the initiative. Overall, this initiative has the potential to significantly contribute to public understanding and engagement with AI, paving the way for more informed and participatory approaches to AI development and deployment.
Recommendations
- ✓ Increase funding support for events to enable larger-scale and more impactful initiatives.
- ✓ Simplify the proposal process and reduce administrative burdens to encourage broader participation.
- ✓ Provide support for non-English language content to enhance the global reach and inclusivity of the initiative.
- ✓ Establish a mentorship program to support organizers in planning and executing successful events.
