Where is AI in 2026 and Where is it Going?

​ A free, public workshop with no technical background needed ​For the last several years, AI systems have advanced at a pace that has stunned the public and even surprised leading experts. These systems are reshaping work, the economy, relationships, and even crime extremely quickly. ​This workshop will explore where AI may be in the next 1-5 years and what that means for daily life for all of us. We’ll tackle urgent and important questions like: ​ Jobs : Could AI lead to mass unemployment or will it help create entirely new kinds of work? ​ Crime : How might AI supercharge scams, hacking, and even crime? ​ Companions : Will people form deep emotional bonds or even romantic relationships with AI companions? ​ Society : How do top researchers think these trends will shape our future? ​ What you’ll get: ​A fast-paced, beginner-friendly overview of today’s most powerful AI systems ​Live demos that reveal both the breakthroughs and the risk ​Interactive forecasting exercises where you’ll test your predictions about AI’s impact against the broader community ​Come ready to explore a…