CosmicAI Announces Second Annual Cosmic Horizons Conference in Charlottesville
The NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) will host the Second Annual Cosmic Horizons Conference from July 14–16, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia. This year’s gathering builds on the success of the inaugural event and will bring together researchers advancing the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and astronomy.
Cosmic Horizons is designed as a premier forum for scientists and technologists to share breakthroughs in AI-driven methods that address key challenges in astronomical research , from cosmology to habitability, and in the next generation of observing facilities. The conference will highlight recent advances in AI applications, strategies for developing trustworthy and interpretable AI systems, and methods for handling high-dimensional, large-scale data from modern telescopes and experiments.
“The second annual conference reflects both the rapid evolution of AI techniques in astronomy and the growing community of researchers committed to open, robust, and collaborative scientific innovation,” said Eric Murphy, Astronomer, Next-Generation VLA Project Scientist, and CosmicAI co-PI at NRAO. Sessions will emphasize open discussion, interdisciplinary engagement, and community-driven priorities around AI methodology and its scientific impact.
Hosted in partnership with the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the event will feature a dynamic program of invited talks, contributed presentations, poster sessions, and collaborative workshops. Speakers and attendees will have opportunities to engage with peers, share tools and code, and explore emerging avenues where AI can meaningfully advance our understanding of the universe.
Key Dates:
Conference: July 14–16, 2026, Charlottesville, VA
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
Early-Bird Registration Deadline: May 15, 2026
Final Registration Deadline: June 29, 2026
Cosmic Horizons continues CosmicAI’s mission to foster collaborative research at the frontier of AI and astronomy. Attendees will include early-career scientists, established investigators, and computational experts focused on advancing reliable AI tools that scale with the astronomical big-data revolution.
Stay tuned for program announcements and speaker highlights on the Conference website. Registration is now open!