HUMANITY

DATA

AI

A Gathering on Humanity, Data, and AI in Research & the Life Sciences

April 29-30, 2026

Durham, North Carolina

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Humanity First
— No AI Slop

April 29-30, 2026 | Durham, North Carolina

Let’s convene the humans who make decisions, manage, strategize, and innovate around data sets in the AI era of clinical research, life sciences… and beyond. 

Powered by the Innovation Network, the folks who brought together the Gathering, Whale Tank, and Wings Conference — this new summit brings together data decision makers and thought leaders in the life sciences and beyond to collaborate on putting humanity first in the AI era.

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Thank You! 2026 Partner Organizations

presenting partner

nominate and invite

turING brings a hand selected, nominated, and invited group together. Who’s voice should we be hearing from? Who is courageously taking action and not just talking about it? Maybe it’s you. Let us know.

Nominate >>

partner with us

Calling all Partner organizations ready to support, lead, and take action.

Discover the many ways we can creatively collaborate together to host the best and most disruptive event(s) in the sector. We dare you to innovate and lead with us.

Partner >>

2026 speakers

Although this is the inaugural year of turING, check out what the Innovation Network has in store.

We strive to feature a hand selected, tightly crafted group of leaders from different perspectives and disciplines – bridging cultures from the clinical to the software worlds. 

Whose voices should we be listening to in the sector?

2026 Speakers >>

turING
Schedule Overview

April 29-30, 2026 | Durham, North Carolina

The schedule balances program elements while maximizing attendee networking opportunities.

Each aspect is curated with intentionality and care for the best possible attendee experience.

WEDNESDAY 4/29

Program Day 1 (highlights below)

Main Stage Day 1

Small Group Breakouts

Cocktail Hour Reception

THURSDAY 4/30

Program Day 2 (highlights below)

Light Breakfast

Main Stage Day 2

Small Group Breakouts

Main Program

Main Stage Talks

Each day we’ll gather together as a community to learn and be inspired. Here are some topics you’ll hear from the stage:

  • Humans are complex, and more experimentation can lead to better outcomes, with data submissions as a simple next step

  • Helping people navigate uncertainty with agency, using curiosity and human judgment to shape what comes next

  • Slowing down to make better decisions under uncertainty, choosing intention over impulse or avoidance

  • Responsible oversight of AI, built with people, for people, and grounded in accountability


    Check out this year’s speaker line up >>

Small Group Breakouts

Join a small work group to tackle topics and deep questions within our industry.Here’s an example of the topics we’ll be working together on:

  • Data as a service chain

  • Trial navigation and enrollment

  • Data interoperability

  • Practical, real-world agentic AI use cases

  • Applied AI use

  • Regulatory perspectives on AI and data

Some of the Companies Represented by Attendees

turING VENUES

Known for the Durham Bulls, Duke University, Research Triangle Park, and the historic Tobacco Campus, we'll see you in Durham, NC this April. All of our venues are within one square mile.

Our gathering place for main stage talks.

Durham Arts Council

The home of i-Cubed and our small breakout room sessions

Duke Clinical Research Institute

Official Hotel Partner & Cocktail Reception Location

21c Museum Hotel

The Durham Hotel

Official Hotel Partner

turING FAQs

  • Humans shape the data. Data shapes the AI. Let’s start there.

    AI is reshaping clinical research. But before AI comes data, and before data come the humans and systems that generate it.

    Smaller room // Bigger questions  

    This spring, we are convening a by-invitation gathering in Durham focused on the human leadership and data infrastructure upstream of AI. Through short talks, sharp panels, and small-group sessions, leaders from sponsors, sites, academia, and technology will tackle real questions shaping the future of trials. From regulatory review and digital transformation to trial navigation. Smaller, more focused, and built for real conversation and next steps.

    April 29-30 in Durham // turING // The humans & data behind AI

    There is a rising awareness of the need for human-centric clinical research. (Call it patient-centric or participant-centric – but the human is in there.) Whether Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT) will be a more dominant or more supplemental piece of the clinical research puzzle, we can all agree that the sector is changing, and that we do need Digitally Competent Trials.

    The new world faces a growing set of questions. Nearly every researcher, sponsor, vendor, nods their head at these themes. What will they really mean (beyond marketing points)?

  • WHEN: April 29-30, 2026

    • ​​Wednesday, 4/29 - Arrival Day & Program Day 1: Check-in, Main Stage Talks, Small Breakout Group Sessions, and Cocktail Reception

    • ​Thursday, 4/30 -Program Day 2 & Departure Day: Light Breakfast, Small Breakout Room Sessions, & Main Stage Talks

    WHERE: Durham, NC

    Known for the Durham Bulls, Duke University, Research Triangle Park, and the historic Tobacco Campus.

  • Current lineup announced and more coming soon! https://durham.innovationgathering.network/2026-speakers

  • Yes! We’ve contracted a couple of partner hotels for this year.

    We have a 20% discount with The Durham Hotel Wedding/Social Rate. Click here to make a reservation.  Enter your stay dates, select your room type, and a confirmation will be sent to you upon completion, or contact the hotel directly at 919-670-5000 and request a reservation under the rate code “WSR”. Rate and availability changes based on hotel demand and may be subject to restrictions. Please note that this link is not holding any rooms and is subject to availability and pricing will vary.

    If you’re looking for additional lodging options, we’ve arranged a discounted rate at the 21c Museum Hotel Durham through the Smith & Jones Innovation room block. Reservations can be made using the link below and are available for stays April 28–30. The reservation cutoff date is March 30, 2026. If you would like to extend your stay beyond these dates, you can contact the hotel directly after completing your reservation and they will do their best to accommodate the request. Click here to make a reservation.

  • Our highest priority is to gather and strengthen this community with the best people. We don’t want finances to be a barrier to being able to participate.

    Please contact us to share your situation and we’ll work with you to come up a creative solution together.

  • Innovation Network Gathering registrations are non-refundable.

    In the case where an attendee can no longer attend, the Innovation Network Gathering registrations can be transferred to another attendee up to one week before the conference. To transfer a registration, please contact us via email at hello@innovationgathering.network.

    Once the transfer deadline has passed, the registration will still be held for the original purchaser with the hopes they are still able to make the event.

  • Let us know how we can help by emailing us at, hello@innovationgathering.network

Submit a Nomination

Nominate yourself or someone you know that should be this year’s event.

April 29-30, 2026 | Durham, North Carolina

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