SDSU Extension, the South Dakota Water Resources Institute, the South Dakota Economic Development Professionals Association and the Center for AI Innovation and Emergent Technologies at SDSU will host an artificial intelligence symposium on November 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007).
As artificial intelligence transitions from a digital tool to a physical infrastructure reality, its footprint on natural resources has become a critical concern for rural stakeholders. High-density AI workloads have historically required significant energy and water for cooling, often competing with agricultural and municipal needs. However, this same infrastructure is rapidly becoming water-neutral and offers a generational opportunity to revitalize rural economies and harden agricultural systems against climate volatility.
The "Good Neighbor AI" symposium, explores the dual nature of this technological expansion. The central theme focuses on transforming AI infrastructure from a resource consumer into a catalyst for regional resilience. We will examine the rural infrastructure considerations—specifically the water, energy and land footprint of localized data centers—while simultaneously highlighting how the computational power of these facilities could be harnessed to optimize energy and water use, increase agricultural productivity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.
The intended audience includes rural residents, public and private partners, university faculty and students, regulators, agricultural producers, and industry leaders. The symposium positions the conversation around responsible deployment of emerging AI technologies and infrastructure in rural settings.
The importance of this event lies in its proactive approach. Rather than reacting to infrastructure development, through this symposium SDSU aspires to lead the conversation on how AI can be integrated into the Great Plains in a responsible and beneficial way. By bringing together panels of local experts from industry and academia, we aim to establish a factual and timely framework for the continued discussion around "Good Neighbor AI" and what beneficial expansion of both AI infrastructure and application might look like in South Dakota.
Schedule
- 9:30 a.m. - Welcome & Opening Remarks
- 9:45 a.m. - Keynote Address
- 10:30 a.m. - Morning Break
- 10:45 a.m. - Panel 1: AI Infrastructure Footprint: What the Load Actually Requires
- 11:30 a.m. - Panel 2: Rural Readiness: Communities as Infrastructure Hosts
- 12:15 p.m. - Lunch Session & Informal Networking
- 12:45 p.m. - Economic Impact Perspective
- 1:15 p.m. - Break and Reset
- 1:30 p.m. - Panel 3: AI, Economic Development & South Dakota
- 2:15 p.m. - Break
- 2:30 p.m. - Panel 4: AI in Practice in South Dakota
- 3:25 p.m. - Closing Remarks and Dismissal
Registration
The cost to attend in person is $100 for the general public or $25 for students. In-person registration is required by October 30 to ensure that you will receive a meal. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited. For those who are not able to participate in the live in-person event, the real-time symposium discussion can be viewed over Zoom for free by registering to attend online. Registration is required for both the online and in-person options and can be completed using the buttons below.
For more information, contact Ryan Lefers, Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director & SDSU Extension Water Management Specialist; or Rajesh Kavasseri, Co-Executive Director, Center for AI Innovation and Emergent Technologies, Associate Dean for Research, Jerome J Lohr College of Engineering, SDSU.
