#SeattleAIWeek AI Summit

What do we build from here?

The #SeattleAIWeek Summit returns this October for a full day of honest conversations, bold ideas, and cross-sector collaboration around the future of artificial intelligence.

New venue for 2026: Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront.

As the flagship event of Seattle AI Week, the Summit brings together startup founders, engineers, researchers, investors, policymakers, creatives, enterprise leaders, and builders from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. This is where Seattle’s AI community does its hardest thinking together — not just about what AI can do, but about what we choose to build next.

Featuring OpenAI's Vijaye Raji, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Read AI's David Shim, TikTok's Peter Kim, Microsoft's Jolenta Coleman-Bush, AI House's Yifan Zhang, and more. Full speaker lineup →

This year’s theme, “What We Build From Here,” explores the opportunities, tradeoffs, and responsibilities shaping the next era of AI. From infrastructure and frontier research to creativity, policy, workforce transformation, security, and entrepreneurship, the Summit is designed to spark conversations that go beyond hype and into real-world impact.

What to Expect

Hear from leading voices across technology, startups, academia, government, media, and the creative industries as they tackle the biggest questions facing AI today.

Keynotes, Panels, and Fireside Chats including topics like:

Opening Keynote — Fireside with OpenAI & GeekWire

Keeping It Real: Creativity, Music, and the Human Experience

AI at Work: Hype vs Production

The Startup Playbook: Building an AI Company in 2026

The Workforce Question: An Honest Look at What AI Creates and Replaces

AI & Life Sciences: From Code to Cures

Quantum + AI: The Convergence Begins

Closer or Further Apart: AI and the Human Connection

Two Assignments: Teaching With AI vs. Teaching About AI

Compounding Advantage: How Washington's Industries Set Up the AI Era

Experience Hall with Startup Alley, Creative Corner, and Upskill Pavilion

Interactive Experiences

Networking Happy Hour

Why This Summit Matters

Seattle has always been a city that builds the future.

The AI Summit exists to create the space where those building that future can come together openly — to challenge assumptions, exchange ideas, and wrestle with the questions that matter most.

What makes this gathering different is the diversity of perspectives in the room. Engineers and researchers share the stage with artists, operators, educators, policymakers, founders, and community leaders. Debate is welcome. Curiosity is encouraged. The goal isn’t consensus — it’s progress.

Who Should Attend

AI Founders & Entrepreneurs

Engineers & Technical Builders

Product & Business Leaders

Researchers & Academics

Investors & Venture Capitalists

Enterprise & Operations Teams

Policymakers & Civic Leaders

Creatives, Designers & Media Professionals

Educators & Students

Anyone curious about how AI will reshape work, business, creativity, and society

Whether you’re actively building with AI or simply trying to understand where the world is headed, this Summit is for you.

Get your tickets now!

If you'd also like to join us for the #SeattleAIWeek Opening Reception on October 26, check your confirmation email for a discount code!