Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Information Democracy & Social–cybersecurity (IDeaS) is hosting a conference focused on policy challenges emerging from the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Advances in AI systems, shifts in platform governance, and the scale and speed of online communication are transforming how information is produced, distributed, and consumed. At the same time, online harms – including illegal, abusive, and deceptively manipulated content – are increasingly linked to offline social and economic outcomes, with significant implications for democratic institutions and communities. This conference asks: How are AI systems and platforms governed today? Who is responsible for mitigating digital harms? What policy frameworks can balance innovation, accountability, and public trust?

IDeaS will bring together academics, policymakers, industry practitioners, and civil society leaders to evaluate the state of the field, identify gaps in current approaches, and share insights to inform future research and policy. Participants will engage with topics such as AI governance, platform regulation, online harms policy, and the real-world impacts of digital systems.

The conference will include: invited panels, regular talks, and posters. There will also be an opportunity for those interested in demoing their technologies or proposed policies. Teams are invited to submit their proposed solutions to a timely policy challenge concerning AI overviews in web search results. Submissions should be uploaded via EasyChair by August 21st, 2026.