One day to rethink everything you've accepted as true about AI, UX, and innovation.

An Innovation Conference Exploring AI, UX, and Technology Across Past, Present, and What Comes Next

Less hype. More signal. Real impact on how we work, think, and build in an AI-driven world

Secure Your Spot Now $199

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

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

Agenda 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: The Past

The ideas, missteps, and breakthroughs that laid the foundation for how we innovate today.

• Opening keynote on what the industry got right, wrong, and what still matters
• Creative Duel: Scale vs. Craft
• Innovation Portal: Tools and patterns that shaped the field
• Discussions around the foundational decisions that defined how we build today

Midday: The Present

Current decisions that shape products, platforms, and human experience.

• Lightning talk on decisions shaping today's product ecosystems
• Creative Duel: Human Judgment vs. AI Assistance
• Innovation Portal: Real-time product and design decisions
• Interactive workshop on identifying meaningful signals in complex systems

Afternoon: The Future

Where innovation, design, and intelligence are headed next.

• Lightning talk on what we're designing toward in an AI-driven world
• Creative Duel: Personalization vs. Privacy
• Innovation Portal: The future of cities, healthcare, and AI systems
• Conversations on building meaningful breakthroughs and long-term innovation strategy

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

Inside the Nivan Experience

Creative Duel

Two opposing perspectives on real tensions in design and AI, head to head.

Innovation Portals

Condensed insights that cut through the noise and get straight to what matters.

Time Capsule

Capture what you believe right now and revisit it when the next shift arrives.

Message to Future

Write a note to your future self. We'll transform and deliver it back to you later.

View the Full Lineup

Our Sponsors & Partners

Live from Nivan

See Nivan Come to Life

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

Where fresh perspectives meet seasoned expertise.

Our curator, Niketa Jhaveri, shares with our MC, Carlos Manalo, about how Nivan creates space for students, practitioners, and leaders to learn, connect, and grow.

Be a part of the conversation.

www.nivan.live

#Nivan2026 #AI #UX #Innovation #NivanLive

What does your team actually believe about AI right now?
Bring your team into the conversation in Chicago this May. At Nivan 2026, we’re convening senior practitioners, team leaders, and decision-makers to cut through the hype and align on what AI really means for your work, your strategy, and your customers.
🎟 Group passes now available: 5 tickets for $899 ($179 each)
📅 May 21, 2026
📍 Chicago
Get your team in the room. Start the conversation that moves the work forward.
www.nivan.live
#Nivan2026 #AI #UX #Innovation #Leadership #ProductStrategy #TeamAlignment #DesignLeadership #NivanLive

Excited to welcome Chicago Innovation as a partner for Nivan 2026!

As a driving force behind the Midwest’s innovation ecosystem, Chicago Innovation brings together leaders, organizations, and ideas to celebrate bold thinking and spark meaningful connections… creating a platform where innovation is accessible, collaborative, and built for impact.

Championing the people and ideas shaping what’s next.

Chicago | May 21, 2026
www.nivan.live

#Nivan2026 #InnovationConference #ChicagoInnovation #StartupEcosystem #DesignStrategy #CustomerExperience #UXLeadership #ChicagoEvents #FutureOfWork #HumanCenteredDesign #Nivanlive

Anthony Bynum excels at taking teams from early-stage ideas into clear, actionable innovation strategies. With a sharp focus on problem framing, insight analysis, and strategic design, he uncovers opportunities that drive real growth and meaningful experiences.

At Nivan, Anthony will share how to define the right problems, translate insights into direction, and rapidly shape concepts that create impact… turning ambiguity into momentum.

#Nivanlive #Nivan2026 #InnovationAcrossTime #UXCommunity #CustomerExperience #UXLeadership #DesignStrategy

Everyone is talking about AI.
Nobody agrees on what it means.
We’re figuring it out together. Live. In one room.
May 21. Chicago. Limited seats.
www.nivan.live
#NivanLive #Nivan2026 #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #futureofai

Suzanne Currie is driving transformation at the intersection of UX strategy, human-centered AI, and innovation. By combining research-led strategy with deep expertise in emerging technologies, they help organizations navigate complexity, align teams, and create scalable solutions that deliver measurable business impact.

At Nivan, Suzanne will share insights on leading through ambiguity, designing intuitive AI-powered experiences, and bridging strategic vision with execution. Hear about how she empowers teams to innovate with confidence while keeping human needs at the center of every decision.

#Nivanlive #Nivan2026 #InnovationAcrossTime #UXCommunity #CustomerExperience #UXLeadership #DesignStrategy

nivan.live

Join the Nivan Community

Get speaker updates, experience reveals, and insider announcements before anyone else.