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UNICON 2026 Annual Workshop at MIT

What does it mean to be human?

People & AI - Learning and Working Together

#UNICONAnnualWorkshop July 16-17, 2026

MIT Sloan, One Memorial Drive E66 | 1 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA, USA

 
Registration Fees: USD $715 for first 40 registrants; USD $795 after that
 

Open to: executive education professionals – leadership, program development, sales and marketing, operations – who want and need to better understand how AI is changing our world and our work.

REGISTER NOW AND SECURE YOUR SPOT

#UNICONAnnualWorkshop: What to Expect

The UNICON 2026 Annual Workshop “What Does It Mean to Be Human?” explores the evolving role of humanity in a world increasingly shaped by digital and physical transformation. The workshop will include experiences and perspectives to help executive education professionals think more deeply about what is changing in human work (and what will continue to change), and the implications for executive learning.

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Secure your spot now
We will explore challenges and opportunities posed by AI through a series of dualities:

Technologies accessible to experts *vs* everyone

New and better ways to do work *vs* elimination of work altogether

Efficiency and often insight/depth on demand *vs* originality & creativity

And we will reflect on these questions:
UNICON Annual Workshop MIT

As individuals

How do we stay grounded, curious, and ethical?
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As leaders

How do we foster cultures of responsible innovation?
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As members of teams

How do we build trust and psychological safety in AI-augmented environments?
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As part of our institutions

How do we lead the way in shaping AI’s role in society?

MIT Faculty Speakers

Connect with inspiring speakers from MIT and UNICON's global membership, who are transforming executive education worldwide

Paul Cheek - Faculty Photo

Paul Cheek

Senior Lecturer, Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management

 

Paul McDonagh Smith

Paul McDonagh-Smith

Visiting Senior Lecturer

Ben Shields - Faculty Photo

Ben Shields

Senior Lecturer, Managerial Communication

 

Shira Springer - Faculty Photo

Shira Springer

Senior Lecturer, Managerial Communication

 

Subject to change*

View faculty bios

Draft Agenda

Thursday, July 16 - Confronting What's Changing - and What Endures (8:00am – 7:00pm)

Session 1 — The Company of the Future

Are we ready for organizations where AI might not just collaborate, but actually lead?

Session 2 — Keeping the Human in the Loop

Can technology ever replace the human connection at the heart of real learning and growth?

Session 3 — Reimagining Learning Through Immersive Experience

How might engaging multiple senses help us design learning experiences that participantsremember — and want to share?

Session 4 — Human–Machine Interaction: Past, Present, Future

How can we shape the future of learning and leadership as humans and machines become increasingly interconnected?

Friday, July 17 - Choosing How We Respond  (8:00am – 1:00pm)

Session 5 — Leading with Intention in the Age of AI

When should we slow down, question automation, and reclaim space for human judgment and agency?

Session 6 – New Times, New Teams

How must we evolve to thrive in a future where human creativity and AI intelligence must operate as one?

Final Reflections

As you consider the intersection of AI, human connection, and meaningful learning, what newpossibilities or challenges are emerging for you, your teams, or your clients?

OPTIONAL: MIT Campus Walking Tour

(after 1:00pm)

*schedule subject to change 

#UNICONDirectors: Last year's numbers

223
Participants
71
Business Schools Involved
20
Countries Represented
5
Continents
REGISTER NOW

#UNICONTDC in 2025: What to Expect

UNICON Benchmarking Survey Launch

Deep dive sessions featuring exclusive, fresh insights and industry trends from the UNICON 2025 Benchmarking Survey

Global Network

Connect with 200+ leaders from 70+ prestigious business schools

Renewed Purpose

Gain an actionable game plan and clear strategy to bring more purpose and meaningful impact to your work—and, if you can, supercharge the experience by attending with your colleagues.

"How I Built It”

Presentations from UNICON member schools showcasing innovative, real-world approaches in ExecEd, moving from opportunity to solution.

Best-in-class Faculty sessions

Connect with inspiring speakers from Johns Hopkins University and UNICON's global membership, who are transforming executive education worldwide

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Denyce Graves

Distinguished Faculty Artist, Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

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Susan Magsamen

Founder and Executive Director, Johns Hopkins University International Arts + Mind Lab

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Wendel Patrick

Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

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Joseph Victor Sakran, MD, MPH, MPA

Executive Vice Chair of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine

See the full schedule on the conference Portal

Where to stay

MIT discount codes will be provided upon registration for the following hotels:

marriott

Boston Marriott Cambridge

50 Broadway, Cambridge MA 02142 (8-10 min walk to E66)

Check availability
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The Kendall

350 Main Street, Cambridge MA 02142 (12 min walk to E66)

Check availability
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The Royal Sonesta Boston

40 Edwin Land Boulevard, Cambridge MA 02142 (14 min walk to E66)

 

Check availability
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Residence Inn by Boston Cambridge

120 Broadway, Cambridge MA 02142 (8 - 10 min walk to E66)

Check availability

Contact Us

For questions about registration or payment, please contact: execed-registration@mit.edu

For any other questions, please contact us at: mit.unicon.support@mit.edu

Ready to join us at MIT?
The workshop will be held in MIT Sloan’s NEW Executive Education facilities located on MIT campus along the Charles River:
 
MIT Sloan Executive Education
One Memorial Drive, 2nd Floor – Building E66
Cambridge MA 02142
 
Register Now