Pacifica Institute, in partnership with Bay Area Cultural Connections (BAYCC) and Global Ministries University (GMU), is pleased to present the Silicon Valley Peace Conference 2026, an international gathering exploring the theme:
“AI’s Role in Community Development and Peacebuilding in Developing Nations”
The conference will bring together scholars, researchers, technology experts, practitioners, policymakers, peacebuilders, and community leaders to examine how artificial intelligence can contribute to stronger, more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable communities.
More than 70 research abstracts have gone through the review process, with more than 45 full papers submitted for review. The conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for sharing research, practical experiences, innovative approaches, and policy perspectives at the intersection of artificial intelligence, community development, and peacebuilding.
Topics explored during the conference include AI applications in peacebuilding, social justice, community empowerment, education, public health, environmental sustainability, ethical and responsible AI, preservation of cultural heritage, support for persons with disabilities, and theological and ethical perspectives on emerging technologies.
The conference will be offered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person in Palo Alto or virtually. Paper presentation sessions will take place on September 18–19, with cultural and networking activities in the San Francisco Bay Area scheduled for September 17 and 20. The conference venue is located at 600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
Event Details
Silicon Valley Peace Conference 2026
Theme: AI’s Role in Community Development and Peacebuilding in Developing Nations
Dates: September 17–20, 2026
Conference Sessions: September 18–19, 2026
Location: Palo Alto, California
Format: In-person and virtual
Organizing Institutions: Pacifica Institute, Bay Area Cultural Connections, and Global Ministries University
Pacifica Institute is honored to help create a space where technology, scholarship, and community leadership can come together to explore how emerging technologies may be used responsibly in the service of human dignity, social cohesion, sustainable development, and peace.
Learn more about the program and register:
Silicon Valley Peace Conference 2026