AI Conference at University of Montana September 1st
Author: Dave Kuntz, University of Montana Marketing and Communication
Article Published: 08/28/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 08AI Conference at University of Montana September 1st
Dave Kuntz
University of Montana Marketing and Communication
UM to Host First-of-its-Kind Montana AI Summit – The University of Montana will host the Montana AI Summit, a first-of-its-kind statewide conference on artificial intelligence and its future in Montana, from Tuesday through Wednesday, Sept. 1-2, in the University Center Ballroom. There will also be an optional workshop on Thursday, Sept. 3.
The Montana AI Summit is a free event bringing together University leaders, government officials, technology innovators and other individuals interested in how artificial intelligence is shaping Montana. Attendees can register for the conference online at https://mtsummit.ai/#schedule.
Designed for the AI-curious and the skeptical alike, the summit will gather workers, business owners, educators, and community members from across Montana to ask the questions that matter most: What is AI actually doing to jobs, industries, and communities, and what should be done about it?
Day one of the conference, kicking off at 8:30 a.m., will focus on AI’s impact on Montana communities and businesses, including data centers, AI fluency, and workforce impacts.
The second day will start at 9 a.m. and more broadly explore perspectives on AI in government and education, including a student panel on AI’s impact on learning and the future of work and a discussion of AI in K–12 education presented by Montana Digital Academy. Other topics will include data sovereignty, responsible AI, and institutional AI readiness.
The optional third day will allow attendees to go deeper with hands-on workshops. Laptops are available for those who need one. This segment will take place starting at 9:15 a.m. in UM’s James E. Todd Building.
A full conference schedule is available on the Montana AI Summit website.
“Montana’s industries are already being shaped by AI, and the people who understand Montana's economy best are Montanans,” said Zach Rossmiller, chief information officer and associate vice president for Information Technology at UM. “Whether you’re a farmer in eastern Montana wondering what this means for your operation, a small business owner in Billings who’s already using these tools and wants to go further, or a skeptic who isn’t convinced any of this applies to you yet, this summit is where that conversation happens.”
The summit will focus on the practical workforce and economic questions that matter to Montana industries. The event is designed for Montana’s workforce at every stage of their relationship with AI, from businesses just beginning to explore these tools to those already using them and looking to go deeper. No prior technical experience is required to attend.
The summit’s organizing team and partner organizations are rooted in Montana business, technology, and education communities, and the programming will reflect the industries, challenges, and opportunities specific to this state. The Montana High Tech Business Alliance, one of the summit’s founding partners, has been a driving force in that effort.
The Montana AI Summit is developed in partnership with Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Craton Consulting, AccelerateMT, Blackfoot Communications, CubCloudAI, and AIFluency.ai. UM Information Technology is the organizing institution.
Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM vice president of marketing and communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.
