Call for Proposals

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Who should submit a proposal?
Areas of Impact
Presentation Formats
Proposal Guidelines and Key Dates
Submit a Proposal

The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) launched in 2024 as a groundbreaking collaboration between Global Silicon Valley (GSV) and Penn State, with the goal of driving economic development, social mobility, and societal progress through education and innovation.

In 2025, TGIF's theme is "Workforce Readiness in the Age of AI and Automation."

The event will deepen its focus on creating meaningful and measurable impact by addressing the urgent need for workforce readiness in a rapidly advancing technological era. With a commitment to preparing individuals and institutions to navigate the transformative power of AI and automation, TGIF 2025 will spotlight innovative strategies, inspire actionable solutions, and forge partnerships that empower the workforce to shape a more equitable and prosperous future across ages, geographies, and industries.

Who should submit a proposal?

We invite:

Educators (K-12 and higher education)

Entrepreneurs and innovators

Policymakers and non-profit representatives

Community Leaders

AI professionals and tech industry leaders

Funders and investors

Students: check out our High School Spotlight and Higher Ed Spotlight to showcase your innovative projects and initiatives.

Areas of Impact

Your session should address one (or more) of the following themes:

Positive Impact: Creating meaningful societal change for one or more groups associated with workforce readiness through lifelong learning, K-12 or higher education, upskilling or reskilling, etc.
Economic Development: Driving investment, job creation, and equitable access to careers through AI and automation
Upward Social Mobility: Removing barriers to open opportunities for all
Education and Innovation: Redefining or reinventing tools for learning in the era of artificial intelligence and digital education

Presentation Formats

Select one format per proposal.

All presentations should include applicable resources, tools, or strategies participants can take away from the session and put into action.

Focus: Present a real-world challenge and guide participants through brainstorming and solution-building phases.

Objective: Foster creativity and generate actionable outcomes by tapping into participants' diverse experiences and perspectives.

Details: Sessions should begin with an engaging presentation of a specific AI-related challenge. Facilitators will then divide participants into small groups, each tasked with identifying and refining potential solutions using design thinking methodologies. The session should conclude with a debrief where groups share their solutions and receive feedback from peers and experts. This format encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while leaving participants with practical takeaways and fresh perspectives.

Focus: Provide hands-on, immersive experiences that teach participants how to use, create, or implement specific tools, strategies, or technologies
Objective: Equip attendees with practical skills they can immediately apply in their own contexts.
Details: Workshops should be structured into three parts: an introduction to the topic or tool, an interactive activity or demonstration, and a wrap-up discussion to ensure comprehension and identify next steps. Examples include live coding sessions for AI applications, mock implementations of automation tools in educational settings, or role-playing exercises to practice leadership in tech-driven environments. Presenters are encouraged to include resources like templates, guides, or software access to maximize the session's impact.

Focus: Encourage innovative and experimental session formats that go beyond traditional presentations.

Objective: Push the boundaries of participant engagement and inspire bold ideas.

Details: Proposals for this format should outline a clear vision for the session, including participant activities, expected outcomes, and how the session will stand out. Examples might include simulation-based learning experiences, storytelling-driven explorations of AI ethics, or gamified workshops that teach complex concepts through interactive play. Creativity is key, and presenters are encouraged to incorporate multimedia, technology, and unconventional methods to deliver transformative learning experiences.

Focus: Highlight visionary speakers who inspire and ignite passion for learning and innovation.

Objective: Introduce attendees to thought leaders who can provide fresh insights and challenge conventional thinking.

Details: Proposals should include the speaker's background, topics they can address, and examples of their past speaking engagements (e.g., links to videos, articles, or testimonials). Mainstage speakers should embody TGIF's mission of fostering positive impact and innovation while offering diverse viewpoints that resonate with a global audience.

Proposal Guidelines and Key Dates

Proposals should:

Provide actionable resources, tools, or strategies

Include interactive and engaging elements

Align with TGIF’s mission and themes

Align with TGIF's values:
- Integrity and honesty in accordance with the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards.
- Respect and honor for the dignity of each person, embracing civil discourse, and fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
- Responsibility and accountability for decisions, actions, and consequences.
- Discovery of new knowledge for the benefit of communities, society, and the environment.
- Excellence as individuals, institutions, and thought leaders.

Key Dates:

Proposal Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: April 21, 2025

AI Literacy for All: Tools and strategies for universal AI education.
Soft Skills in the Era of Automation: Highlighting emotional intelligence and creativity.
Upskilling and Reskilling: Building future-ready career paths.
AI and Ethics: Navigating ethical dilemmas in AI-driven roles.
AI in Workforce Recruitment and Retention: Leveraging predictive analytics for HR.
Equity in AI-Powered Transformation: Ensuring inclusive workforce innovations.
AI and the Green Economy: Workforce opportunities in sustainability.
Designing Future-Ready Educational Pathways: Aligning education with industry demands.
Preparing Faculty for AI Integration: Training educators to incorporate AI into their teaching.
The Role of AI in Advancing Accessibility: Using technology to create inclusive environments.
AI-Driven Innovation in Public Health: Workforce readiness in a tech-empowered health sector.
Building Digital Literacy in Underserved Communities: Addressing the digital divide.
Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration in AI Adoption: Bridging academia, industry, and government.
Reimagining Career Counseling with AI: Empowering students with data-driven insights.
Navigating the Future of Work: Preparing for emerging roles and industries.
AI for Creative Industries: Opportunities in art, media, and entertainment.
Workforce Strategies for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Aligning with global priorities.
Ethical Leadership in AI-Powered Workplaces: Cultivating responsible decision-making.
AI-Enhanced Entrepreneurship: Supporting startups in leveraging emerging technologies.
Integrating AI into Career and Technical Education (CTE): Equipping students with practical, in-demand skills.
AI and Venture Capital: Identifying investment opportunities in AI-driven startups.
Economic Impact of Smart Cities: Preparing a workforce for urban AI applications.
AI in Financial Services: Preparing for disruption and innovation in banking and investment.
Harnessing AI for Small Business Growth: Strategies for sustainable scaling.
AI-Driven Social Enterprises: Merging profit with purpose in the AI era.
The Future of Remote Work: Leveraging AI to optimize distributed teams.
AI in Global Supply Chains: Preparing for intelligent logistics and distribution.
Investing in AI for Social Good: Funding projects that tackle societal challenges.
AI-Powered Regional Economic Development: Building local economies through technology hubs.
The Role of AI in Emerging Markets: Workforce implications for developing economies.

Submit a Proposal

Proposals are due by 11:59 PM EST on April 1, 2025.
Presenters and co-presenters whose proposals are accepted by the review committee will be required to register for the conference.
Presenters and co-presenters whose proposals are not accepted will also receive the Early Adopter, discounted registration fee via email notification.
Be bold, be creative, and show us how your session will inspire positive impact and innovation.

Submit a Proposal

Deadline to submit proposals: April 1, 2025

Who should submit a proposal?

Areas of Impact

Presentation Formats

Proposal Guidelines and Key Dates

Submit a Proposal

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