FORGE AI Summit Seeks to Strengthen AI Use at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) will host its campuswide FORGE AI Summit Nov. 16 – 18. Through learning, experimentation, and hands-on application, the FORGE AI Summit gives the Georgia Tech community opportunities to explore how artificial intelligence can be applied responsibly to real challenges at the Institute.
The three-day experience will move participants from foundational concepts to exploration and, ultimately, to developing solutions using AI.
“Building AI maturity requires us to think beyond the technical expertise of our developers and subject matter experts, said Leo Howell, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “We have to build knowledge and confidence throughout our entire community and put the power of these tools into the hands of everyday users — the people who understand our challenges, our processes, and where the greatest opportunities exist. FORGE is about creating that foundation and empowering people to move from simply using AI to identifying new ways it can transform how we work, teach, research, and serve.”
The summit builds on a pilot event held within OIT over the summer, which provided an opportunity to test the FORGE model and establish a foundation for expanding the experience across campus. This fall’s event also incorporates components of Georgia Tech’s annual Data Days programming, reinforcing the connection between strong data foundations and the effective use of AI. Together, the expanded focus on data and AI will help participants better understand what these technologies can enable, along with the governance, responsible-use practices, and institutional resources to use them effectively.
Three Days of Learning, Exploration, and Problem-Solving
Day 1: FORGE Foundations – Virtual
The summit begins by establishing a shared foundation around data and AI literacy. Sessions will explore the role data plays as a building block for AI, along with the policies, governance structures, standards, and responsible-use practices that shape how Georgia Tech approaches data and AI.
Day 2: FORGE Showcases – Hybrid (In-Person Attendance at the Global Learning Center)
The second day shifts from foundations to exploration, featuring keynotes, presentations, and showcases highlighting AI and data in action. Participants will learn how others at Georgia Tech are experimenting with emerging technologies, applying them to their work, and identifying new opportunities for innovation.
Day 3: FORGE Challenge – Hybrid (In-Person Attendance at the Global Learning Center)
The summit culminates with the FORGE Challenge, a Shark Tank-style competition that moves participants from exploration to problem-solving. Faculty and staff teams will prototype agentic AI solutions to address real institutional needs and present their solutions as they compete for the top position.
The summit is open to Georgia Tech faculty and staff. In-person participation on Nov. 17 – 18 will be limited to 200 attendees, with additional participants able to join virtually.
Pre-Summit Education Opportunities Encouraged
The FORGE experience begins before the summit with a series of workshops and training events to help participants build knowledge and skills in advance.
From Oct. 26 through Nov. 13, the Georgia Tech community can participate in pre-summit education across three learning tracks:
- Data Literacy – Build foundational knowledge and skills for understanding, working with, and applying data effectively.
- AI Literacy – Explore AI concepts, available tools, responsible use, and practical ways AI can support learning and work at Georgia Tech.
- Agentic AI/FORGE Challenge Boot Camp – Gain hands-on knowledge and skills for developing AI-enabled solutions, with focused preparation for teams participating in the FORGE Challenge.
Registration for the summit begins Oct. 12. Learn more about FORGE, pre-summit education, and the FORGE Challenge at oit.gatech.edu/ai/forge.