Where is AI in 2026 and Where is it Going?

A free, public workshop with no technical background needed For the last several years, AI systems have advanced at a pace that has stunned the public and even surprised leading experts. These systems are reshaping work, the economy, relationships, and even crime extremely quickly. This workshop will explore where AI may be in the next 1-5 years and what that means for daily life for all of us. We’ll tackle urgent and important questions like: Jobs: Could AI lead to mass unemployment or will it help create entirely new kinds of work? Crime: How might AI supercharge scams, hacking, and even crime? Companions: Will people form deep emotional bonds or even romantic relationships with AI companions? Society: How do top researchers think these trends will shape our future? What you’ll get: A fast-paced, beginner-friendly overview of today’s most powerful AI systems Live demos that reveal both the breakthroughs and the risk Interactive forecasting exercises where you’ll test your predictions about AI’s impact against the broader community Come ready to explore a future arriving faster than most people realize. A future that could transform not just how we work, but how we trust, connect, and even love.