NAAIC AI Summit 2026

Relive the moments that shaped the NAAIC AI Summit 2026. With collaborative industry panels, faculty professional development, and a showcase of student demos, this national convening focused on strengthening the role of community colleges in AI workforce development.

Days

500+

Attendees

100+

Speakers

40+

Panels & Sessions

Faculty Trained

Student Demos

Experience the Momentum

Take a look at the conversations, collaborations and energy that defined the NAAIC AI Summit 2026

Featured Sessions

Speakers at a podium and on stage during the NAAIC AI Summit at Miami Dade College.

NAAIC Welcome and Overview

The NAAIC leadership team presented a comprehensive roadmap of the consortium’s mission, highlighting the collaborative efforts to bridge the AI talent gap through community college partnerships.

Woman in blue suit speaking at a podium during the NAAIC AI Summit at Miami Dade College.

Welcome Address

MDC President Madeline Pumariega kicked off the summit by sharing a vision for AI’s transformative role in higher education.

Speaker presenting on stage at NAALC AI Summit hosted by Miami Dade College with an audience seated in front.

Keynote: Dr. Michael J. Jabbour

Microsoft’s AI Innovation Officer explored the cutting-edge technologies and strategies defining the modern AI-driven workplace.

Panel discussion at NAAIC AI Summit hosted by Miami Dade College, with five speakers seated on stage facing an audience.

Scaling the AI Talent Pipeline

Executives from Intel, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google discussed actionable strategies for building a future-ready AI workforce.

Panel of four people sitting on stage armchairs, one woman speaking into a microphone during a discussion event.

Mentorship to Momentum

College leaders demonstrated how the NAAIC Mentorship Program helped them rapidly launch successful AI degree and certificate tracks.

Networking Session

Industry experts and faculty connected to foster new collaborations and share insights gained throughout the summit.

Two people in business attire having a panel discussion on stage at the NAAIC AI Summit hosted by Miami Dade College, with an audience watching.

Fireside Chat with NSF Director Olga Pierrakos

NSF ATE Program Director Dr. Olga Pierrakos shared insights on navigating funding tracks to scale AI program growth and innovation.

Four panelists seated on stage during the NAAIC AI Summit at Miami Dade College, with an audience in the foreground.

Validating AI Programs Through Student Success

Graduates and current students demonstrated the real-world impact of community college AI credentials through their personal career success stories.

Group of people gathered around a table with a laptop, discussing in a conference setting with a sign reading Chandler Gilbert Community College.

Student Demos

Attendees witnessed live demonstrations of innovative AI projects developed and presented by talented students.

Panel of five speakers seated on stage at the NAAIC AI Summit hosted by Miami Dade College, addressing an audience.

Scaling the AI Talent Pipeline Part II

Executives from AWS, Cisco, IBM, and Lenovo collaborated on a roadmap for embedding industry-leading resources into the community college mission.

Bearded man in a suit holding a microphone and pointing at a whiteboard during a presentation in a conference room.

Intel AI for Workforce Training

This professional development program equipped community college faculty with the foundational AI knowledge and practical strategies needed to integrate AI into their teaching.

Instructor presenting a digital media concept with icons on a large screen to an attentive adult classroom.

Google GenAI Leader Training

Participants explored Google Cloud’s generative AI offerings and practiced identifying high-impact opportunities for responsible AI adoption across business functions.

Modern classroom with students seated at desks using computers and a presenter standing near a large screen displaying 'Prompting Engineer 101'.

Azure AI-900 Certificate Training

Faculty completed a two-day bootcamp that provided hands-on labs and official materials to prepare them for the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification.

Photo Gallery

A man with a backpack speaks to two EC-Council representatives seated at a booth with laptops and informational materials.

Smiling woman holding up a black t-shirt with the text 'Building America's AI Workforce, NAAIC AI Summit 2026, Sponsored by Lenovo.'

Group of people attentively listening during a conference or presentation in a large room with tables and chairs.

Two people sitting at a table covered with a blue cloth, smiling and holding phones, with a coffee cup and flowers in the foreground and others socializing in the background.

Audience of diverse adults sitting at round tables with blue tablecloths, clapping and smiling during an indoor event.

An older man with gray hair and a mustache clapping while seated at a conference table with a blue tablecloth, surrounded by other attendees.

Large group of people seated at round tables with blue tablecloths in a conference room attending an event.

Two women smiling and posing for a photo at a professional event with people and chairs in the background.

Three people smiling and standing in front of a blue National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) backdrop.

Man and woman smiling in front of a blue National Applied AI Consortium backdrop, man holding a black T-shirt that says 'AI won't replace you but someone who understands AI might'.

Four people sitting on high chairs in a panel discussion with a screen and black-and-white portraits behind them.

People sitting and clapping at a conference or seminar with blue tablecloths and name badges.

A woman and a man engaged in conversation at a blue round table with a laptop in a busy conference room.

Older man with a backpack talking to a young man leaning on a table at an event booth with laptops and bottled water.

Three people discussing a research poster at an Artificial Intelligence Center event in a modern indoor setting.

Smiling man showing a smartphone screen while sitting next to a woman wearing sunglasses at a conference audience.

Group of people sitting at a round table with blue tablecloth, engaged in conversation during an indoor event.

Smiling woman with glasses clapping hands at a conference or meeting with others seated at tables.

Woman in glasses speaking into a microphone at a conference with attendees listening in the background.

Two professional women sitting and smiling in an audience at a conference or seminar.

What Attendees Are Saying

“Can’t wait to start putting what I’ve learned here to work for my program and division.”

Mary Schieke

Instructor, Business Division
Southeast Community College

“The passion, thoughtfulness, and collaboration we witnessed from every attendee reaffirmed why this work matters. We leave inspired by the commitment to workforce development and the real societal impact driving this movement.”

Hernan Londono, PhD

Chief Technology & Innovation Strategist
Lenovo

“The National Applied AI Summit 2026, hosted by Miami Dade College, was a resounding success. I met many faculty, administrators, and industry leaders from around the country.”

Norge Pena

AI Faculty
Miami Dade College

Next Summit is hosted by Maricopa Community Colleges
Oct 14-16, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona

Save the Date Call for Speakers

Experience the Momentum

Featured Sessions

NAAIC Welcome and Overview

Welcome Address

Keynote: Dr. Michael J. Jabbour

Scaling the AI Talent Pipeline

Mentorship to Momentum

Networking Session

Fireside Chat with NSF Director Olga Pierrakos

Validating AI Programs Through Student Success

Student Demos

Scaling the AI Talent Pipeline Part II

Intel AI for Workforce Training

Google GenAI Leader Training

Azure AI-900 Certificate Training

Photo Gallery

What Attendees Are Saying

Next Summit is hosted by Maricopa Community CollegesOct 14-16, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona

Sponsors

Next Summit is hosted by Maricopa Community Colleges
Oct 14-16, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona