Call for Panel Proposals

Bring together voices from different fields around one open question.

Panels are moderated conversations among three to five speakers representing diverse fields, sectors, or perspectives. Panel proposals should address one or more of the Cross-AI Topics.

We invite proposals for 60- or 90-minute panels addressing emerging research, open challenges, and questions that span disciplines, sectors, and communities of practice.

Panels may be offered as standalone sessions or as part of a conference workshop or frontier session. Proposals for panels embedded within a workshop or frontier session should clearly indicate this in the submission.

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Panel Proposal Deadlines (AoE)

MilestoneDate
Proposal SubmissionNovember 16, 2026
Proposal Acceptance NotificationNovember 30, 2026

Criteria for Panel Proposals

A strong panel centers on a single open question that no one panelist can address alone and creates opportunities for meaningful audience participation. Proposals should demonstrate:

  • Clear focus. Centered on a substantive question, tension, or challenge, not a series of individual talks.
  • Diverse perspectives. Brings together panelists from different disciplines, sectors, career stages, or positions, with a clear contribution from each.
  • Meaningful exchange. Creates space for dialogue, disagreement, and audience engagement.
  • Relevance. Explains why the topic matters and what the audience will gain.

Proposal Requirements

The proposal should be no more than two pages for the main text, plus no more than two pages of moderator and panelist information. It should include:

Main Proposal

  • Panel title and abstract. A program-ready abstract of up to 200 words.
  • Central question. The question, its motivation, and relevance to one or more Cross-AI Topics.
  • Participants. A moderator and three to five panelists, with affiliations, a one-sentence description of each panelist’s perspective, and confirmation status.
  • Format. Proposed length (60 or 90 minutes) and a session outline, including time for audience Q&A.
  • Discussion questions. Two or three seed questions to guide the discussion.
  • Technical requirements. Any needs beyond standard Cross-AI Zoom support.
  • Session type. Indicate whether the panel is standalone or part of a conference frontier session or workshop.

Moderator and Panelist Information

  • Participant bios. Brief bios for the moderator and each panelist.
  • Participant web links. Homepage or professional profile web link(s) for each participant.

Proposals listing only confirmed panelists, or clearly indicating which participants are unconfirmed, are preferred. Balanced representation across institutions, sectors, and backgrounds is strongly encouraged.

Where to Submit

Panel proposals are submitted through the AirBalloon conference management system, following the Author and Submission Guidelines.

Organizer Responsibilities

Organizers, typically the moderator, will:

  • Confirm panelists and coordinate the session plan in advance.
  • Moderate the panel and manage audience Q&A.
  • Help promote the panel.
  • Provide the final title, abstract, and panelist bios for the program.

Cross-AI will provide standard Zoom support and include the panel in the conference program.

Proceedings

Panel proposals are archival: accepted panels submit a final abstract for publication in the Cross-AI Proceedings. Instructions and deadlines will be sent by email.

Complimentary Registration

The moderator and panelists of each accepted panel will receive complimentary registration.

Travel and Accommodation

For online sessions, travel is not required, and no travel funding is provided.

For in-person sessions, the main conference does not provide travel or accommodation funding for panels or workshops. Organizers and invited speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Organizers may seek external funding to support invited speakers.