AI & Cyber Innovation Week 2026
AI & Cyber Innovation Week 2026 is a six-day festival at USCA that brings together students, professionals, educators, government, and industry leaders to explore cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and their impact on the CSRA region.
Throughout the week, participants dive into hands-on labs, technical workshops, and interactive sessions that connect real-world cyber and AI challenges with workforce pathways and regional readiness. From expert keynotes and DOE/DOD-led panels to community cyber awareness events and a multi-tier Capture the Flag competition, the event showcases how resilient, trusted technology can strengthen both local infrastructure and future careers.
Sponsors & Supporting Organizations
Event Details
- Six-day immersive program featuring:
- Professional cybersecurity training
- Applied AI seminars
- Community cyber events
- Student showcases
- DOE/DOD-led workforce panels
- Focus areas:
- Cyber resilience and readiness
- Regional workforce and economic impact
- Interactive learning opportunities:
- Hands-on technical labs
- Multi-track breakout sessions
- Multi-tier Capture the Flag (CTF) competition
- CTF and labs cover real-world topics such as:
- Network defense
- Threat hunting
- Digital forensics
- Secure and trustworthy AI
- Community-focused programming includes:
- Cyber Day activities
- K-12 STEM and AI experiences
- Robotics and drone demonstrations
- Networking receptions connecting:
- Local and state government
- National laboratories
- Industry leaders
- Educators across the CSRA region
- Intended audience includes:
- Local government leaders
- Military and civilian cyber professionals
- Educators and academic leaders
- Private-sector technologists
- National lab researchers
- Students will benefit, including:
- High school students exploring STEM careers
- College students interested in cybersecurity, AI, robotics, and engineering
- Student-focused offerings:
- Entry-level technical sessions
- Competitions and hands-on labs
- Workforce and scholarship panels
- Educators and community partners, including:
- Faculty and K-12 teachers
- Career counselors
- STEM and workforce development organizations
- Dedicated sessions on:
- AI in the classroom
- STEM innovation
- Collaborative regional projects linking multiple institutions
- Dates: February 2–7, 2026
- Location: USCA campus
- Daily programming includes:
- Keynote presentations
- Panel discussions
- Technical and educational sessions
- Early-week focus:
- Professional training
- Network traffic analysis
- Cyber operations
- Applied AI use cases
- Mid-week highlights:
- Community Cyber Day
- Concurrent tracks in:
- AI in the classroom
- STEM innovation
- Robotics and drones
- Workforce development
- Late-week programming:
- Student poster sessions
- National-level keynote speakers
- Defense, science, and workforce panels
- Education and workforce summit
- Closing keynote
- Evening activities:
- Student-focused events
- Networking receptions
- National-level keynote speakers in:
- Cybersecurity
- Energy and critical infrastructure
- Artificial intelligence
- Scientific research
- Panelists from:
- National laboratories
- Defense organizations
- State and federal agencies
- Planned keynote highlights:
- State-level AI leadership
- Lunch keynote by a national laboratory Chief Information Security Officer
- Closing keynote from senior defense and policy leaders
- Additional speakers from:
- Universities and technical colleges
- K-12 education
- Industry partners
- Breakout and panel topics include:
- AI in education
- Workforce development
- Cyber readiness
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Hosted at:
- USCA campus
- Primary venues:
- Etherredge Center
- Business & Education Building
- Located in:
- Aiken, South Carolina
- Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)
- Convenient access for:
- Regional military installations
- National laboratories
- Government agencies
- Industry partners
- Attendees should:
- Use campus maps and parking guides
- Plan for full-day sessions
- Account for select evening receptions during the week