Workshops

Workshops The program will include workshops designed to support both the scientific and societal dimensions of AI sentience research.
Two workshops will be delivered by our partners at the  Institute of Neuroethics (IoNx) .
Dates will be shared soon.
Workshop 1 — Foundations and Research Frameworks for AI Sentience ﻿﻿ 1, 2 or 3 July 2026 (tbc)
What is Digital Sentience and How Could We Test It?
Definitions: distinguishing sentience, consciousness, intelligence, agency, and behavior in artificial systems
Translating philosophical concepts into empirically tractable research questions
Overview of current scientific approaches (computational, functional, biological, behavioral) and the predictions they generate
Identifying valid observables, proxies, and limits of inference in AI systems
Workshop 2 — The possibility of digital sentience: ethical and conceptual challenges in NeuroAI (IoNx workshop)﻿﻿ 15, 16 or 17 July 2026 (tbc)
This workshop introduces Neuroethics, combining theoretical reflection and practical application. Specifically, it examines digital sentience as an emerging and controversial possibility in AI and neurotech, focusing on how different interpretations of sentience can shape ethical analysis and applications in a variety of domains.
Workshop 3 — Interpreting Evidence & Responsible Communication ﻿﻿ September/October 2026
This workshops will include expert talks, interactive exercise, and panel discussion to explore how to responsibly interpret and communicate scientific findings in a fast-moving and uncertain field.
Evidence interpretation frameworks
Scientific claims in public space
Governance interfaces
Workshop 4 — IoNx engagement Workshop﻿﻿ 2–5 December 2026 (at the in-Person convening)
This engagement workshop will use provocative future scenarios centered on digital sentience to challenge current assumptions and spark deeper dialogue. These carefully curated snapshots of the future will serve as a catalyst for critical thinking, producing a unique opportunity for reflection on societal and ethical impacts. Participants will gain the capacity to navigate the tensions between innovation and responsibility.
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