With a focus on artificial intelligence, ethics, and workforce development, the summit will convene HBCU presidents, faculty, students, industry leaders, policymakers, and philanthropic partners committed to shaping the future of AI through an HBCU-informed lens. The event will provide a national platform for responsible innovation, expanded access, and strengthened AI readiness across HBCU communities.
HBCU AI Con will be presented in partnership with SXSW EDU and supported by Ellucian, The MacArthur Foundation, UT Good Systems, the United Negro College Fund, and other organizations dedicated to broadening AI education and opportunity. Centered on the theme “AI Empowered: HBCU Driven. Shaping Tomorrow Together,” the summit will be led by co-chairs Meme Styles and Chris Hyams.
“The HBCU AI Con represents a crucial step in ensuring that historically Black colleges and universities remain at the forefront of technological innovation. By fostering collaboration and providing a platform for discussing the future of Artificial Intelligence, this conference will undoubtedly empower the next generation of diverse leaders in the field” said Styles founder and president of MEASURE, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides free data support to Black, Brown, and Indigenous-led community organization.
Hyams, former CEO of Indeed who currently serves as an HT trustee, said “AI is the most powerful force shaping the future of society, and it is critical for HBCUs to be centered in the design, development, and deployment of AI. Last year’s inaugural HBCU AI Con was an historic first step with 20 HBCUs represented and 400+ attendees. Our 2026 conference will represent another leap forward for current and future leaders.”
Attendees will take part in mainstage conversations on responsible and ethical artificial intelligence and emerging policy trends, hear directly from students during It’s A Different World: The Students Speak, and explore the intersection of technology, culture, and creativity in The Knowledge Cypher. Workshops and AI-literacy sessions will offer practical tools for using AI ethically and effectively in academic, community, and professional settings.
“HBCU AI Con reflects our belief that HBCUs must help build—not simply react to—the future of artificial intelligence,” according to Dr. Melva K. Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University. “We are committed to preparing our students and our broader community to lead in the conversations, the discoveries, and the opportunities that AI will shape.”
A full suite of sponsorship opportunities—ranging from the Quantum Sponsor tier at $100,000 to the Neural Network, Machine Learning, and Data Science levels—will support student research presentations, faculty honoraria, innovation lounges, fireside conversations, and poster and paper showcases. These investments will help expand hands-on learning, professional exposure, and pathways for emerging AI talent.
For more information, go to www.htu.edu
About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of higher education in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. Huston-Tillotson University is an independent, church-related, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
