Events and Opportunities

Conferences, workshops, fellowships, courses, and other opportunities in digital minds.

Type
Format

15 events

Upcoming

Conference · In-person

Sentient Futures Summit London 2026

Sentient Futures

22 May – 24 May 2026London, UK

Three-day summit on AI, consciousness, animal welfare, and sentient minds. Day 1 is a conventional conference; days 2–3 are unconference format. Scholarships and volunteer tickets available.

Register

Conference · In-person

MC0001 — The Founding Assembly for Machine Consciousness Research

California Institute for Machine Consciousness (CIMC)

29 May – 31 May 2026Berkeley, California, USA

First coordinated conference on constructing artificial conscious systems. Covers foundational theory, technical implementation, ethics, and AI art. Speakers include Karl Friston, Michael Levin, and Joscha Bach.

Register

Fellowship · Online

Future Impact Group Fellowship

Future Impact Group

1 Jun – 24 Aug 2026Online

Deadline: 1 May 2026

Twelve-week part-time research fellowship with AI Sentience track. Eight or more hours/week with mentored project work.

Register

Fellowship · Online

Sentient Futures Fellowship

Sentient Futures

1 Jun – 1 Aug 2026Online

Programme exploring intersections of AI, animal welfare, and technology. Learner and facilitator tracks.

Register

Fellowship · Hybrid

GovAI Summer Fellowship

Centre for the Governance of AI

15 Jun – 15 Aug 2026London, UK / Washington, DC (preferred); open to candidates elsewhere

Research fellowship in AI governance. Digital minds questions increasingly within scope.

Register

Conference · In-person

ASSC29

Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness

30 Jun – 3 Jul 2026Santiago de Chile

Annual meeting of the ASSC, the leading academic society for consciousness research. Increasingly features work on AI consciousness and digital minds.

Register

Program · In-person

PIVOTAL Research Mentorship

PIVOTAL Research

1 Jul – 30 Sept 2026London, UK

Quarterly mentorship programme with mentors working on AI governance and digital minds policy.

Register

Fellowship · In-person

Cambridge Digital Minds Fellowship

Cambridge CDM

3 Aug – 9 Aug 2026Cambridge, UK

Five-day intensive residential fellowship at Jesus College for researchers working on AI consciousness, AI welfare, and digital minds. Fully funded with travel, accommodation, and stipend. Applications closed.

Register

Fellowship · In-person

ERA Cambridge Fellowship

Existential Risk Alliance

1 Oct – 1 Dec 2026Cambridge, UK

Fellowship programme for researchers working on existential risk, including AI governance and digital minds.

Register

Course · Online

Introduction to Digital Minds — Online Course

Cambridge CDM

Online

Eight-week free online course exploring AI consciousness, moral status, and digital minds. Developed with experts from Cambridge, NYU, Oxford, PRISM, and Eleos AI. Launching 2026; expression of interest open.

Register

Recently closed

Program · Online

AI Sentience Scholars Program — 2026 Cohort

Neuromatch

1 Jun – 31 Dec 2026Online (with in-person convening Nov–Dec 2026)

Closed: 28 Apr 2026

Six-month part-time research and training programme for early-career researchers investigating AI sentience, consciousness, and ethics. Includes mentored projects, publication support, and up to USD 8,000 in research support.

Seminar · Online

If Consciousness Is Biological, Can AI Be Conscious? — Ned Block

Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy (CMEP)

10 Apr 2026Online

Public talk by Ned Block exploring whether AI can be conscious if consciousness is biological. Part of the CMEP seminar series on consciousness, sentience, and moral status.

Workshop · In-person

2026 Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit

Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy (CMEP)

10 Apr – 11 Apr 2026New York, USA

Two-day summit on consciousness, sentience, moral status, and policy for nonhuman minds including AI. Lightning talks, group discussions, and breakout sessions. At capacity.

Seminar · In-person

AI & Consciousness

Jose A. Fernandez Calvo

7 Apr 2026Miami, USA

Philosophical panel exploring whether AI can possess consciousness, examining metaphysical, materialist, and cognitive perspectives through presentations and fireside discussion.

Seminar · Online

AI Sentience Scholars — Application Support Webinar

Neuromatch

1 Apr 2026Online

Information webinar covering the AI Sentience Scholars program structure, mentorship model, project options, and selection process.