Curious about the intersection of AI and power in the participatory sciences?
These sessions at CAPS 2026 might be for you. >>Full program here.
Social Impacts of Emerging Technologies
Opening Keynote [Tuesday, May 26, 12:00 PM]
Professor Kate Devlin will offer an opening keynote on the social impacts of emerging technology at CAPS 2026. This plenary session will address the social and ethical implications of AI, and offer insights into how humans relate to emerging technologies.
Professor Kate Devlin will offer an opening keynote on the social impacts of emerging technology at CAPS 2026. This plenary session will address the social and ethical implications of AI, and offer insights into how humans relate to emerging technologies.
Presenter: Kate Devlin (full bio) is Professor of AI & Society in the Department of Digital Humanities, King’s College London and is the current Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute. Her research investigates how – and why – people interact with and react to technologies, both past and future. Kate is a co-investigator and the King’s College lead on the Repsonsible AI UK programme, which brings together researchers from across the UK to understand how we should shape the development of AI to benefit people, communities and society.
Discussant: Liz Dowthwaite is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, researcher for the Responsible AI UK, and editor for Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. She brings extensive expertise in human factors and the ethical dimensions of autonomous systems and has convened previous CAPS session on on Responsible, ethical, and trustworthy use of AI in participatory sciences (2025) a and is leading a Tuesday organized topical discussion session on Implications of the use of emerging AI techniques in the participatory sciences at this year’s event.
AI Meets Community Science: innovative tools that empower vulnerable communities to improve water quality and resilience [withdrawn]
Symposium [Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 PM]
This session explores how community science and artificial intelligence can be combined to track and predict fecal contamination along the Texas coast. Using an environmental forensics approach, partners from The Meadows Center, Clean Coast Texas, and local organizations demonstrate innovative tools that empower vulnerable coastal communities to improve water quality and resilience
Convener: Icen Yoosefdoost (The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment)
Co-presenters: Icen Yoosefdoost (The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment); Christina Lopez (The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University); Desiree Jackson (The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University); Nicky Vermeersch (The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University)
Community Environmental Data x AI Governance
Collaborative Session [Thursday, May 28, 2:30 PM]
Artificial intelligence presents opportunities and challenges that require a nuanced approach—something more than full scale rejection or adoption. In this listening and learning session, we want to hear your experience and ideate together on best practices and biggest concerns when it comes to data and AI governance, including how to approach developing AI policies and potential risk, what resources are necessary for AI governance, and how we can harness utility while protecting sensitive data.
Convener: Emelia Williams (Open Environmental Data Project)
Co-presenters: Cathy Richards (Open Environmental Data Project); Katie Hoeberling (Open Environmental Data Project)
Implications of the use of emerging AI techniques in the participatory sciences
Organized Topical Discussion Session [Tuesday, May 26, 4:00 PM]
AI techniques such as machine learning and computer vision are not new to citizen science, but the recent proliferation of generative AI such as Large Language Models and image generation is rapidly changing the AI ecosystem and public understanding of science. The session will examine the implications for participatory sciences and consider how to ensure that use of AI is not only effective and scientifically robust but also carried out and communicated in a responsible and ethical manner.
Convener: Liz Dowthwaite (University of Nottingham and Responsible AI UK)
>>View presentations in this session here
Innovative uses of low-cost sensors, open data, and citizen science in education and community resilience
Organized Topical Discussion Session [Wednesday, May 27, 4:00 PM]
Low-cost, small sensor and AI technologies are rapidly evolving and transforming how ground-based environmental monitoring is conducted around the world, providing opportunities for citizen scientists, community-based research, and entrepreneurial initiatives. These technologies raise considerations on how to coordinate instrumentation specifications, data collection methods, open data integration and archiving, among other topics. This session welcomes contributions on these and related topics.
Convener: Rebecca Boger (Next Generation Global Collaboratory)
>>View presentations in this session here
Registration for CAPS 2026 is open! >>Find full event details here.
