Call for Lightning Talks
Share bold ideas and emerging directions in a few minutes.
Lightning talks are short, focused presentations of bold ideas, emerging directions, and provocative questions. We welcome submissions from academia, government, industry, startups, and independent researchers and creators addressing one or more of the Cross-AI Topics.
We welcome ideas at any stage, from early hunches to emerging directions grounded in prior work. A lightning talk does not require finished results; it should give the audience one clear idea to consider, question, or discuss. Examples include:
- New research directions, open questions, and research agendas.
- Position statements and provocations that challenge conventional assumptions.
- Early or negative results that point to a new direction.
- Cross-disciplinary ideas that connect fields, sectors, or communities.
Lightning talks are brief pitches of one idea, question, or direction. For a longer scheduled presentation by an industry expert sharing practical insight, new trends, or real-world case studies, submit an Industry Talk instead. See Submission Types.
On this page
- Submission
- Important Dates
- Criteria for Lightning Talks
- Author and Submission Guidelines
- Author Registration
- Media Hosting
- Live Recording Policy
Submission
Lightning talks are an abstract submission: each consists of an abstract only, with no accompanying paper. Submission happens in two stages: an initial submission (abstract) reviewed for initial acceptance, and a presentation submission after initial acceptance, after which the revised abstract and submitted presentation materials are reviewed for final acceptance and presentation.
| Lightning Talk | |
|---|---|
| Submit via | Research, Applications, a Frontier Session, or a Workshop |
| Initial submission | Abstract (up to 300 words) |
| Presentation submission (after initial acceptance) | Revised abstract + pre-recorded video (up to 3 minutes); e-poster optional (1 page); reviewed for final acceptance |
| Live presentation | 1–2 minute live Q&A if selected for oral presentation |
| Proceedings | Non-archival; abstract posted on the conference platform and in the non-archival repository |
| Media hosting | Presentation video |
| Dates | See Abstract Deadlines |
1. Initial Submission
The initial submission is reviewed for initial acceptance. Each includes:
- Title and abstract. Up to 300 words on the idea, question, or direction, and why it matters.
- Authors. Names and affiliations.
- Topics and venue. One or more Cross-AI Topics, and the main program, frontier session, or workshop.
No video or e-poster is required at this stage.
2. Presentation Submission (After Initial Acceptance)
Lightning talks that receive initial acceptance provide a presentation submission:
- Revised abstract. Up to 300 words.
- Pre-recorded presentation video. Up to 3 minutes.
- E-poster (optional). A 1-page electronic poster (PDF), 48 × 36 inches (landscape).
As with all paper and abstract submissions, revised submissions and presentation materials are reviewed for final acceptance and presentation. Lightning talks that do not pass this review are rejected and removed from the program, even after initial acceptance. See Review Process.
If selected for oral presentation, the talk also includes a 1–2 minute live Q&A. Detailed requirements will be sent to accepted authors; see Important Dates for deadlines.
Important Dates
See Important Dates for all abstract submission deadlines.
Criteria for Lightning Talks
Lightning talks are evaluated based on:
- Clarity. Communicates one clear idea in a few minutes.
- Originality. Offers a new direction, question, or perspective.
- Relevance. Connects to one or more Cross-AI Topics and articulates its significance.
- Discussion value. Invites questions, debate, or collaboration.
Author and Submission Guidelines
All submissions are made through the AirBalloon conference management system, following the Author and Submission Guidelines.
Author Registration
For each lightning talk with final acceptance, at least one author must register.
Media Hosting
Media hosting is available only for accepted submissions. Their presentation pre-recordings, demo videos, e-posters, audio, and other approved media will be hosted on the conference platform and made openly accessible for up to two years. Media hosting and open access are included in the Author registration fee.
Existing recordings of previously published work that are linked from the schedule remain on their original sites and are not hosted on the conference platform.
Live Recording Policy
To foster open and candid exchange, Cross-AI will not record live sessions, except for keynotes.