AI on the Mall: Environmental Decision-Making in a Changing World

Join us during DC Climate Week for an informal outdoor conversation exploring how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape climate resilience in the real world.

This small gathering will bring together climate resilience practitioners (e.g., floodplain managers, engineers, planners) and AI technologists (e.g., developers, deployers, distributors) to exchange perspectives on the opportunities and challenges emerging as AI becomes more integrated into environmental risk management, infrastructure planning, and public decision-making.

Rather than a formal panel, we’ll step outside for a guided walk-and-talk around the Washington Monument, pairing up for conversations sparked by a few thought-provoking prompts. If you can join, please RSVP so we have a rough estimate of group size.

We will meet at the 17th Street Levee Closure, located south of Constitution Ave NW on 17th St NW. From there, we'll follow a loop along the walking paths that surround the Washington Monument Grounds—an ideal setting to explore how technology and climate resilience increasingly intersect in historic cities.

Participants are welcome to continue conversations over Happy Hour at Moxies afterward. Drinks and food are available for purchase.

This meetup will take place concurrently with the San Francisco Climate Week event (AI in the Wild). Afterward, we’ll bring together ideas from both events and share them with participants in DC and San Francisco.

What We'll Explore

As AI adoption accelerates across many sectors, important questions are emerging for those working on environmental and infrastructure challenges:

Where can AI meaningfully support environmental and infrastructure decision-making?What governance and guardrails are needed as AI enters complex public decisions?How do we balance technological innovation with concerns around energy use, data infrastructure, and community impacts?What role should domain expertise and human judgment continue to play as AI tools become more capable?

This meetup is intended as a space for practitioners and curious thinkers to exchange ideas openly and learn from one another.

Agenda

Brief welcome and introductionsShort remarks on the work of the ASFPM AI SubcommitteePaired walking conversations around the Washington Monument GroundsInformal networking and idea exchange at Moxies

Hosted By

ASFPM AI Subcommittee – a working group within the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) exploring how artificial intelligence intersects with flood risk management, environmental decision-making, and public infrastructure.

Who Should Attend

Floodplain managers and climate resilience practitionersEngineers, planners, and infrastructure professionalsAI and data scientists interested in environmental applicationsResearchers and policy leadersAnyone curious about the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and environmental decision-making

Notes

This is a casual outdoor meetup, not a formal presentation.

Comfortable walking shoes recommended. You may also want to bring water and sun protection—hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—since we'll be outdoors. Paths are paved and there are also options nearby for seated conversation, if preferred.

DC Climate Week is not responsible for this event. It is organized by the organizing group, and being listed on the DCCW calendar is not an endorsement of content or partners.