AI in the Wild: Environmental Decision-Making in a Changing World

Join us during San Francisco Climate Week for an informal outdoor conversation exploring how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape environmental decision-making in the real world.

This gathering will bring together floodplain managers, engineers, planners, climate practitioners, technologists, and researchers 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 Salesforce Park, pairing up for conversations sparked by a few thought-provoking prompts.

We will plan to start from the Central Plaza at Salesforce Park, near Barebottle (like in the image--look for the group gathering!). If you plan to join, please RSVP so we have a rough sense of group size.

Perched above downtown San Francisco, Salesforce Park is a 5.4-acre rooftop garden spanning several city blocks, filled with trees, gardens, and walking paths—an ideal setting to explore how technology and the natural world increasingly intersect in modern cities.

This meetup will take place concurrently with the event in Washington DC. Afterward, we’ll bring together ideas from both events and share them with participants in DC and SF.

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 and water 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 introductions• Paired walking conversations around the park• Informal networking and idea exchange

Participants are welcome to continue conversations over lunch nearby afterward.

Hosted By

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

Geode Lifeworks – exploring how leadership, governance, and human judgment shape the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

Agents for Humanity – connecting builders exploring how AI agents & tools can support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Sustainable Cities & Communities (SDG 11).

Who Should Attend

• Floodplain managers and resilience practitioners• Engineers, planners, and infrastructure professionals• AI and data scientists interested in environmental applications• Researchers and policy leaders• Anyone 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, sunscreen--since we'll be outdoors. Paths are paved and there are also options nearby for seated conversation, if preferred.

If you're in DC, check out our SISTER EVENT happening on the same day for the DC Climate Week: https://luma.com/01vx4djm

By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of Geode Lifeworks, Agents for Humanity, and SF Climate Week.