The Big Tent is a new convention about thoughtfully shaping a humanity-driven future with AI. Open to the public, with two days of thoughtful speakers, a massive career fair, unconference-style open discourse, celebrations and exhibitions, and closing with one hoopla of an afterparty.
What. Come one, come all to the Big Tent! Witness the spectacle of rapidly growing organizations & unprecedented acts of creative technology.
Take a break from the doomscrolling to join a gathering of thinkers & doers: engage with AI safety-curious folks about the societal impacts of AGI, play out AI 2040: Plan A as a tabletop game, and have philosophical debates about human autonomy in this new age of technology.
Who. Anyone who's ever wondered whether AI will be good for us and decided to do something about it.
1. Most conferences are gated & EA/Rat-heavy, which means they will continue to attract specific types of people, talent and dissuade others. We need to involve & engage with people outside the selection effects & standard archetypes.
2. People & orgs are waiting for the next gathering; the next conference is months away. We have steep timelines and growing orgs.
3. "There has to be something we’re fighting for, some positive-sum outcome where everyone is better off, something to rally people to rise above their squabbles and confront the challenges ahead. " -Amodei, Machines of Loving Grace
4. Festivals and conventions are joyful. Fun is good. AIS lacks fun, so a marginal amount would be significant returns.
What's actually happening
Day 1 · Friday (Convention)
Day 2 · Saturday (Celebration)
Speakers Sessions & Panels Career Fair Workshops Happy Hour
Unconference Format Demos & Showcase: 'World's Fair' Interactive Game Show Rooftop Afterparty
The Big Tent is a new convention about thoughtfully shaping a humanity-driven future with AI. Open to the public, with two days of thoughtful speakers, a massive career fair, unconference-style open discourse, celebrations and exhibitions, and closing with one hoopla of an afterparty.
What. Come one, come all to the Big Tent! Witness the spectacle of rapidly growing organizations & unprecedented acts of creative technology.
Take a break from the doomscrolling to join a gathering of thinkers & doers: engage with AI safety-curious folks about the societal impacts of AGI, play out AI 2040: Plan A as a tabletop game, and have philosophical debates about human autonomy in this new age of technology.
Who. Anyone who's ever wondered whether AI will be good for us and decided to do something about it.
When. Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, 2026
Where. Mox, San Francisco.
How.
Why this, why now
1. Most conferences are gated & EA/Rat-heavy, which means they will continue to attract specific types of people, talent and dissuade others. We need to involve & engage with people outside the selection effects & standard archetypes.
2. People & orgs are waiting for the next gathering; the next conference is months away. We have steep timelines and growing orgs.
3. "There has to be something we’re fighting for, some positive-sum outcome where everyone is better off, something to rally people to rise above their squabbles and confront the challenges ahead. " -Amodei, Machines of Loving Grace
4. Festivals and conventions are joyful. Fun is good. AIS lacks fun, so a marginal amount would be significant returns.
What's actually happening
Day 1 · Friday (Convention)
Day 2 · Saturday (Celebration)
Speakers Sessions & Panels
Career Fair
Workshops
Happy Hour
Unconference Format
Demos & Showcase: 'World's Fair'
Interactive Game Show
Rooftop Afterparty
Speakers and sessions, open call
Our previous programming and guest partners have included:
Want to partner with us? Table at the career fair, host a session, or showcase a demo in the exhibit. Register your organization here.
What people said last time
Feedback from AI Safety Career Fair & Builders Summit, July 2026