AGENDA

Event agenda

Event agenda

View our WIP Agenda

(subject to change)

Kickoff

Day 1 : POLICY, CODES & SYSTEMIC CHANGE

Kickoff

Day 1 : POLICY, CODES & SYSTEMIC CHANGE

08.30-09.00 AM

Opening Remarks

A welcome to the SMARTER Infrastructure Summit. Kick off the day with an introduction from the event organizers and a sneak peek of what's in store. Ideal for: Policymakers, engineers, and activists.

09.00-10.00 AM

Keynote Address: "The Infrastructure Tipping Point: Why This Decade Decides Everything"

A data-driven manifesto on how outdated infrastructure systems are the single biggest barrier to climate goals—and how to overhaul them. Ideal for: Policymakers, engineers, and activists.

Dr. Sybil Derrible, PhD

UIC

Dr. Sybil Derrible, PhD

UIC

10.00-11.00 AM

Panel Discussion: Old Laws, New Tricks: How Antiquated Codes Are Being Weaponized for Climate Action

Case studies of cities repurposing zoning laws, building codes, and procurement rules to fast-track green projects. Ideal for: Policymakers, engineers, and activists.

City Planner

Chicago DOT

City Planner

Chicago DOT

Policy Director

USGBC

Policy Director

USGBC

11.00-12.00 PM

Panel Discussion: The Policy Graveyard: Why Good Intentions Fail (And How to Fix It)

A lively discussion on how AI is being implemented in sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics, with industry experts.Ideal for: Policy shapers, NGOs, academics.

EPA Regulator

EPA Regulator

Mayor

NLC

Mayor

NLC

Researcher

RMI

Researcher

RMI

12.00-01.00 PM

Lunch & Networking

In the venue, exquisite light meals and various fruits and beverages have been prepared for all the distinguished guests, allowing everyone to have sufficient energy and rest at noon

food

food

food

food

01.00-02.00 PM

Workshop: Interactive: Panel Discussion: Zoning Hacks for Green Infrastructure

Hands-on exercise rewriting zoning codes to allow microgrids, bike lanes, and adaptive reuse. Bring your laptop! Ideal for: Planners, architects, activists.

Urban Design Firm Lead

Urban Design Firm Lead

Portland DOT Rep

Portland DOT Rep

2.00-03.00 PM

Postmortem: Case Study: NEPA as a Weapon: When Environmental Reviews Block Progress

A blow-by-blow account of a renewable project killed by litigation—and legal workarounds. Ideal for: Developers, lawyers, agency staff.

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyer

Infrastructure Developer

Infrastructure Developer

3.00-04.00 PM

Demo: Live Demo: AI for Permitting: Cutting Approval Times by 60%"

A blow-by-blow account of a renewable project killed by litigation—and legal workarounds. Ideal for: Policy shapers, NGOs, academics.

PropTech Startup CEO

PropTech Startup CEO

04.00-05.00 PM

Happy Hour

Thank you all for attending. Please enjoy your leisure time after the exhibition

Actives

Actives

Actives

Actives

Main Day

Day 2 : TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION & REAL-WORLD DEPLOYMENT

Main Day

Day 2 : TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION & REAL-WORLD DEPLOYMENT

9:00-10.00 PM

Keynote Address: The Hype Graveyard: Why Most ‘Green Tech’ Fails in the Wild

A ruthless analysis of overfunded flops (e.g., solar roadways) and the 5 traits of actually scalable solutions？ Ideal for: VCs, engineers, policymakers.

MIT Infrastructure Lab Director

MIT Infrastructure Lab Director

MIT Infrastructure Lab Director

10:00-11.00 PM

Debate: Is Hydrogen the Future—Or a Distraction?

A no-holds-barred debate on hydrogen’s role in heavy industry vs. its inefficiencies. Audience votes! Ideal for: Energy nerds, investors.

Pro-Hydrogen Engineer

Pro-Hydrogen Engineer

Pro-Hydrogen Engineer

Skeptical VC

Skeptical VC

Skeptical VC

11:00-12.00 PM

Fireside Chat: The EV Mythbuster: Why ICE Isn’t Dead (And Never Will Be)

A contrarian take on the "EVs for all" dogma, with data on ICE efficiency gains, EV grid limits, and right-tool-for-the-job thinking. Ideal for: Fleet managers, auto execs, realists.

Mr. Sky Huddleston

Auto Industry Analyst

Mr. Sky Huddleston

Auto Industry Analyst

12：00-1：00 PM

Lunch & Networking

Enjoy your break and our prepared lunch!

Food

Food

Food

Food

Food

Food

Food

Food

1.00-02.00 PM

Panel: Grid Modernization: Lessons from Texas, California & Iceland

How extreme weather and policy risks shape infrastructure resilience. Ideal for: Utility reps, engineers, disaster planners.

Texas Utility Exec

Texas Utility Exec

CEO

Iceland Geothermal

CEO

Iceland Geothermal

2.00-03.00 PM

Workshop: Role-Playing: How to Convince a Mayor to Bet on Unproven Tech"

Teams pitch mock proposals to a "mayor" (actor) using real-world constraints.
Ideal for: Startup founders, lobbyists. Ideal for: Startup founders, lobbyists.

City CIO

City CIO

Risk Analyst

Risk Analyst

3.00-04.00 PM

Postmortem-Case Study: The Solar Roadway Disaster: What Went Wrong?

A forensic breakdown of a viral flop—bad assumptions, PR pitfalls, and engineering arrogance. Ideal for: Founders, engineers, marketers.

Engineering Prof

Engineering Prof

Failed Startup Founder

Failed Startup Founder

4：00-05.00 PM

Demo: Live Pitch: The Startup That Could Make Geothermal Go Global

A 15-minute demo of breakthrough drilling tech, followed by investor Q&A. Ideal for: Funders, engineers

Geothermal Tech CEO

Geothermal Tech CEO

Sumup

Day 3 : PROCUREMENT, DEALFLOW & FINANCING

Sumup

Day 3 : PROCUREMENT, DEALFLOW & FINANCING

9.00-10.00 PM

Opening Keynote: The Infrastructure Tipping Point: Why This Decade Decides Everything

A data-driven manifesto on how outdated infrastructure systems are the single biggest barrier to climate goals—and how to overhaul them. Ideal for: Policymakers, engineers, and activists.

Dr. Sybil Terrible, PhD

Director, UIC Climate Policy Lab

Dr. Sybil Terrible, PhD

Director, UIC Climate Policy Lab

Dr. Sybil Terrible, PhD

Director, UIC Climate Policy Lab

10：00-11.00 PM

Fireside Chat: Old Laws, New Tricks: How Antiquated Codes Are Being Weaponized for Climate Action

Case studies of cities repurposing zoning laws, building codes, and procurement rules to fast-track green projects. Ideal for: Municipal leaders, lawyers, developers.

Portland DOT Rep

Portland DOT Rep

Portland DOT Rep

Urban Design Firm Lead

Urban Design Firm Lead

Urban Design Firm Lead

11：00-12.00 PM

Panel：The Policy Graveyard: Why Good Intentions Fail (And How to Fix It)

Join Olivia Reynolds, Principal Engineer at AlphaTech, as she discusses the role of AI in creating personalized consumer experiences.

EPA

Regulator

EPA

Regulator

EPA

Regulator

Mayor

NLC

Mayor

NLC

Mayor

NLC

RMI

Researcher

RMI

Researcher

RMI

Researcher

12.00-1.00 PM

Lunch & Networking

Have close contact with our speakers, get the future opportunities

1.00-2.00 PM

Workshop: Interactive: Zoning Hacks for Green Infrastructure

Hands-on exercise rewriting zoning codes to allow microgrids, bike lanes, and adaptive reuse. Bring your laptop! Ideal for: Planners, architects, activists.

Urban Design Firm Lead

Urban Design Firm Lead

Urban Design Firm Lead

Portland DOT Rep

Portland DOT Rep

Portland DOT Rep

02.00-03.00 PM

Postmortem: Case Study: NEPA as a Weapon: When Environmental Reviews Block Progress

Join Olivia Reynolds, Principal Engineer at AlphaTech, as she discusses the role of AI in creating personalized consumer experiences.

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyer

Infrastructure Developer

Infrastructure Developer

Infrastructure Developer

03.00-04.00 PM

Demo： Live Demo： AI for Permitting: Cutting Approval Times by 60%

Live demo of machine learning tools that predict permitting bottlenecks. Ideal for: Tech teams, city IT staff, contractors.

PropTech Startup CEO

PropTech Startup CEO

PropTech Startup CEO

04.00-05.00 PM

Closing Remarks & Thank You

A final wrap-up of the AIcron Tech Summit, with acknowledgments to all speakers, sponsors, and attendees. Looking forward to seeing you next year!

Registration

Registration

Secure your spot today!

Public Sector

For verified public sector professionals involved in infrastructure planning, procurement, or policy implementation

Learn from others' sustainability successes

Bring your RFP hurdles to workshop fixes with industry leaders

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$100

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Industry & General Attendance

Premium experience with priority access, exclusive sessions, and VIP networking opportunities.

Includes exhibit hall, keynotes, and breakout sessions

Connect with peers, professionals, and industry leaders

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$200

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Academic & Researchers

For verified professors, researchers, and students working on infrastructure innovation

Showcase your innovations to potential partners

Meet funders backing pilot deployments

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$20

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Public Sector

For verified public-sector professionals involved in infrastructure planning, procurement, or policy implementation.

Learn from other cities' sustainability successes

Bring your RFP hurdles to workshop fixes with industry leaders

Access to networking lounge and solutions pavillion

Early Bird

$100

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Industry & General Attendance

Premium experience with priority access, exclusive sessions, and VIP networking opportunities.

Includes exhibit hall, keynotes, and breakout sessions

Connect with peers, professionals, and industry leaders

Access to networking lounge and solutions pavillion

Early Bird

$200

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Academic &Researchers

For verified professors, researchers, and students actively working on infrastructure innovation.

Showcase your innovations to potential partners

Meet funders backing pilot deployments

Access to networking lounge and solutions pavillion

Early Bird

$20

single admission

Buy Ticket

Public Sector

For verified public sector professionals involved in infrastructure planning, procurement, or policy implementation

Learn from others' sustainability successes

Bring your RFP hurdles to workshop fixes with industry leaders

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$100

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Industry & General Attendance

Premium experience with priority access, exclusive sessions, and VIP networking opportunities.

Includes exhibit hall, keynotes, and breakout sessions

Connect with peers, professionals, and industry leaders

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$200

Single admission

Buy Ticket

Academic & Researchers

For verified professors, researchers, and students working on infrastructure innovation

Showcase your innovations to potential partners

Meet funders backing pilot deployments

Access our networking lounge and solutions pavilion

Early Bird

$20

Single admission

Buy Ticket