University of Iowa and Plug and Play Bring an AI Showcase to Downtown DSM
Live demos. An AI expert panel. A trends presentation.
This is what corporations can expect at the first AI Showcase — an event designed to preview what an AI Center of Excellence in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) could deliver.
More than 100 leaders are already signed up to attend the showcase for the proposed University of Iowa & Plug and Play AI Center of Excellence (CoE) on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, 1200 Grand Ave., in Downtown DSM.
See the full schedule below.
AI Showcase Agenda
- 10 - 10:30 a.m.: Doors open and registration
- 10:30 - 10:40 a.m.: Opening remarks
- 10:40 - 11 a.m.: Why an AI CoE for Iowa?
- 11 - 11:30 a.m.: Trends Presentation: AI Systems that Compound
- 11:30 a.m. - Noon: Panel hosted by KPMG: Perspectives on AI in the Insurance Ecosystem
- Noon - 12:45 p.m.: Lunch
- 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.: AI Solution Showcase Part 1
- 1:45 - 2 p.m.: Break
- 2 - 3 p.m.: AI Solution Showcase Part 2
- 3 - 3:05 p.m.: Closing remarks
- 3:05 - 5 p.m.: Happy Hour and networking
A Pairing of Strengths
As a major insurance hub, Des Moines would be a natural home for an AI CoE — a place where a global ecosystem of enterprises, startups, universities and economic development organizations could come together to advance ideas into solutions and help position Iowa as a national leader in insurance and AI.
The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business and its Vaughan Institute of Risk Management have entered a strategic partnership with Plug and Play, the Silicon Valley-based innovation platform, with the goal of establishing an AI Center of Excellence in Downtown DSM. The proposed center would focus on three core areas: practical AI adoption, AI talent and workforce development and AI startup attraction.
The Aug. 26 showcase will be an early look at what that could look like in practice. So get a preview of the concept and attend the AI Showcase later this month.
To register, request to join the event here. Please note seating is limited, and advance registration and confirmation are required to attend.
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