Where Innovation Connects the Past, Present, and Future

A Chicago-Based Innovation Conference Exploring AI, Technology, UX, Design, and Research

Name: Nivan: Innovation Across Time, Together
Start: 2026-05-21T09:00
End: 2026-05-21T17:00
Location: Chicago

Less hype. More signal: real stories, real tradeoffs, and the decisions shaping 2026–2030.

Secure your spot now >

Be Part of the Dialogue.

May 21, 2026 | Institute of Design

Join us in Chicago for candid conversations shaping the future of AI, innovation, and leadership.

🗓️ Thursday, May 21st, 2026 | 🕐 9 AM - 5 PM

📍Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
3137 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60616

19 Speakers

11 Industries

13 Partners

1 Unforgettable Day

Our Sponsors & Partners

Nivan explores innovation across time from the lessons of the past to the decisions shaping the future.

Program at a Glance

Throughout the day, attendees will experience keynotes, creative debates, lightning talks, workshops, and immersive sessions from leaders across AI, UX, technology, research, and design.

Morning - Past

Lessons that built the foundations of modern innovation.

• Opening keynote reflecting on what the industry got right, what it got wrong, and what still matters
• Creative Duel exploring Scale vs Craft
• Innovation Portal sessions on the tools and patterns that shaped the field
• Interactive workshop on identifying meaningful signals inside complex systems

Midday - Present

The decisions being made today that shape products, platforms, and human experiences.

• Lightning talk on the decisions shaping today’s product ecosystems
• Creative Duel debating Human Judgment vs AI Assistance
• Innovation Portal sessions examining real time product and design decisions
• Perspectives on data, speed of decision making, and responsible innovation

Afternoon - Future

Where innovation, design, and intelligence are headed next.

• Lightning talk exploring what we are designing toward in an AI driven world
• Creative Duel debating Personalization vs Privacy
• Innovation Portal sessions on the future of cities, healthcare, and AI systems
• Conversations on building meaningful product breakthroughs and long term innovation strategy

End with Where the Eras Converge

The conference concludes with a closing session connecting insights from past, present, and future followed by networking and community celebration.

See the Full Agenda

View the Full Lineup

An Ongoing Conversation.

Why Nivan Matters

Perspectives from the community shaping the future of innovation.

Slide 1 of 10

“There’s a real gap right now for high-quality, cross-disciplinary conversations in UX, AI, and design. Nivan is intentionally stepping into that space.”

- Tareq Ayub, CTO, Salesforce

“Nivan is a refreshingly thoughtful take on what an innovation conference can be.”

- Mrudula Sreekant, COO & Head of Research | Peepal Design

“What excites me about Nivan is its focus on depth over hype. It’s creating space for meaningful conversations across UX, AI, design, and research at exactly the right moment.”

- Pam Stoffregen-Gay, Managing Partner, Bold Insight

“Nivan stands out for its thoughtful curation and senior audience. It’s the kind of conference that prioritizes substance, reflection, and long-term impact.”

- Gavin Lew, Managing Partner, Bold Insight

“What excites me about Nivan is its willingness to slow things down and create space for thinking, not just showcasing.”

- Jamie Therese Nillas

“It's rare to see a conference that treats UX, AI, and Design as deeply interconnected disciplines rather than isolated silos. Nivan gets that right.”

- Victor Oladipo

“Nivan is a conference designed by people who understand the responsibility that comes with shaping technology and experiences.”

- Divya Pariti

“Instead of chasing novelty, Nivan seems grounded in asking better questions. That’s where real innovation starts.”

- Daya Johnson

"Nivan feels intentionally designed for people who want to pause, think, and challenge assumptions rather than rush to the next trend."

- Erin Kovach

"Nivan strikes a rare balance between inspiration and substance. It feels relevant for where the industry actually is, not where it pretends to be. "

- Juan Galavis

Stay in the Loop.

See Nivan Come to Life

Follow us on Instagram at @nivan.live for exclusive updates.

Meet 3 leaders who are taking us through the past, present, and future of innovation.

Nivan 2026. An Innovation Conference through the time lens of Past • Present • Future across AI, UX, Tech, Design, and Research. More Info >> www.nivan.live

📅 May 21, 2026 |📍 Chicago - Institute of Design (ID)

This is not just another conference.
It’s a full-day experience across time:

Morning: The lessons we built on
Midday: The decisions we’re making now
Afternoon: The future we’re stepping into

And the people in the room?
They’re the ones building it.

If you’re serious about AI, UX, design, and innovation —
you don’t want to hear about this later.

📍 May 21, 2026
📍 Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
🎟️ nivan.live

#Nivan2026 #InnovationAcrossTime #UXLeadership #AIInnovation #DesignLeadership

We’re proud to welcome IA Collaborative as a partner for Nivan 2026.

Bringing together leaders across Tech, AI, UX, and Design to shape what’s next.

May 21, 2026 | Chicago
Be in the room.

www.nivan.live

#Nivan2026 #InnovationAcrossTime #UX #AI #Design ChicagoEvents

What does our future look like with Artifical Intelligence? Nivan is a space to hear from industry professionals, and discover answers to your questions.

Be part of the dialogue.
#nivan2026 #chicagotechconference #innovatingacrosstime

Excited to welcome @answerlabresearch as an official sponsor and partner of Nivan 2026.

AnswerLab is a leader in human centered research, helping companies understand people and build better experiences.

Together we are bringing the innovation community together to explore the future of AI, UX, Tech, and Design through the lens of Past, Present, and Future.

Chicago
May 21, 2026
Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

#Nivan2026 #UXResearch #DesignInnovation #AILeadership #ChicagoEvents #UXCommunity

The stage needs a great guide.

Thrilled to welcome Carlos Manalo as the Master of Ceremonies for Nivan 2026.

As Co-CEO of @officeofexperience , Carlos is known for creating powerful moments that connect people, ideas, and energy in the room. He will help lead us through a full day of conversations across AI, UX, Tech, Design, and Research.

The journey through Past • Present • Future is about to get exciting.

Let’s go.

#Nivan #InnovationAcrossTime #UXCommunity #AILeadership #chicagoinnovation

nivan.live

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