KU to host Sovereign Futures Series on AI, data and tribal sovereignty

LAWRENCE — The Office of Sovereign Partnerships & Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Kansas will host the Sovereign Futures Series: AI and Data Sovereignty Across the Southern Plains on March 3-4, bringing together tribal leaders, community practitioners, scholars, educators and technologists to examine the impacts of artificial intelligence, data governance and emerging technologies on tribal sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination. 

The convening, held both in person at KU and as a livestreamed webinar, will create space for honest, grounded conversations about how AI and data-driven systems are already shaping Indigenous communities, what opportunities and risks they present, and how Native nations can assert sovereignty, consent and governance in digital futures. 

The Sovereign Futures Series has grown out of ongoing conversations with Indigenous leaders and community partners who are navigating the realities of data collection, digital infrastructure and AI deployment across education, governance, health care, environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. 

“This convening is about inviting communities into the conversation and meeting them where they are,” said Chamisa Edmo, co-organizer of this year’s convening and a graduate student in computer science at KU. “AI and data systems are already shaping everyday decisions. The work ahead is building shared understanding of how these systems work and ensuring tribal nations have the authority to govern them in ways that reflect their own laws, values and systems of governance.” 

Across panels and discussions, participants will explore topics including Indigenous data sovereignty, digital repatriation, AI governance, community-centered technology design and the responsibilities of institutions developing and deploying emerging technologies in Indigenous contexts. 

The series features speakers and panelists representing tribal nations, tribal colleges and universities, research institutions, museums, policy organizations and community-based initiatives. Sessions are designed to center Indigenous perspectives while also welcoming allies, researchers and practitioners seeking to engage responsibly with Indigenous communities. 

The Sovereign Futures Series is convened through KU’s Office of Sovereign Partnerships & Indigenous Initiatives, which works to strengthen relationships between the university and tribal nations through research, education and community collaboration. 

For KU, the convening reflects a broader commitment to supporting Indigenous-led scholarship, ethical technology development and partnerships grounded in respect for tribal governance and knowledge systems. 

“The Sovereign Futures Series reflects KU’s approach to working in partnership, grounded in listening and learning, in ways that honor tribal sovereignty,” said Melissa Peterson, acting associate vice chancellor for the Office of Sovereign Partnerships & Indigenous Initiatives. “These conversations are essential as universities and communities navigate rapidly evolving technological landscapes together.” 

The event is open to the public, with registration available for both in-person attendance and virtual participation. For more information, visit the Sovereign Future Series event webpage.