Event Overview
Discover AI 2026 is a free event on Friday, April 24th, from 12 PM to 6 PM at Featheringill-Jacobs Hall on the Vanderbilt campus. Designed for Vanderbilt students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge AI research and technologies. Attendees can engage with interactive AI demos, watch a research-focused pitch competition where students present innovative AI ideas to a panel of judges, and network with fellow AI enthusiasts during a reception.
Stay tuned for more details as the event approaches.
Tentative Schedule
TBD. Check back as we get closer to the event for updates.
12:00 - 1:00pm | Lunch/Networking/AI Demos
1:00 - 3:00pm | PITCH Competition
3:00 - 4:00pm | Coffee/AI Demos/Awards Presentation
4:00 - 6:00pm | Industry/Alumni/Scholar Networking Reception
Registration
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Click the link below to complete the short questionnaire and secure your spot!
AI Demo Session
The AI Demo Session at Discover AI 2026 will feature live demonstrations of AI-enabled tools, research workflows, prototypes, and applications developed by students, postdoctoral researchers, and research labs. The session is designed to provide an interactive opportunity for participants to showcase their work, explore new AI methodologies, and engage with faculty, industry partners, and fellow researchers.
Demonstrations may include research tools, experimental systems, early-stage prototypes, or applied AI solutions across a wide range of disciplines such as:
- AI-enabled research tools or software platforms
- Machine learning models integrated into research pipelines
- Computer vision, NLP, robotics, simulation, or data management systems
- AI-assisted experimental workflows
- Hardware or software prototypes
- Industry-collaborative AI tools or deployed systems
Participation in the AI Demo Session is open to any AI Scholar, Fellow, Lab, or Organization affiliated with VALIANT interested in showcasing their AI-related work, including those at non-Vanderbilt institutions.
AI Demo Contest
In addition to the demo session, presenters may choose to participate in the AI Demo Contest, which recognizes outstanding demonstrations across several categories. Contest entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on innovation, integration of AI, clarity of presentation, demonstration quality, and potential impact. Prize tiers include $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place within selected categories. Final award categories will be announced closer to the event.
The AI Demo Contest is open all AI Scholars affiliated with VALIANT, including institutions outside of Vanderbilt.
More Information
PITCH Competition
The Discover AI 2026 PITCH Competition is designed to support exploratory, research-focused projects that meaningfully integrate artificial intelligence to advance scientific discovery, improve research workflows, or address important societal challenges. During the competition, teams will deliver a concise three-minute pitch outlining their research idea and proposed AI-enabled approach, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with a panel of external judges. Judges will evaluate each project based on their strength, feasibility, impact potential, and requested budget in order to make final award decisions.
The competition is open to all VALIANT AI Scholars from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). The PITCH competition is only open to VU/VUMC AI Scholars at this time. We encourage AI scholars from external institutions to participate in the AI Demo Contest which is open to a broader range of participants.
More Information
AI Networking Reception
COMING SOON
Location & On-Site Logistics
The event will take place in the auditorium, atrium, and adjacent study rooms located in Featheringill-Jacobs Hall.
Campus Map: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/map/
Vanderbilt Parking Info: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/transportation-parking/parking/visitors/
Co-Sponsors
