HUMANITY
DATA
AI
A Gathering on Humanity, Data, and AI in Research & the Life Sciences
April 29-30, 2026
Durham, North Carolina
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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:
Digital transformation in an AI era
The future of AI in clinical development
The clinical trial service chain
AI deployment in practice
Trial navigation and access
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.
Durham Arts Council
Our gathering place for main stage talks.
The home of i-Cubed and our small breakout room sessions
Duke Clinical Research Institute
Official Hotel Partner
21c Museum Hotel
Official Hotel Partner
The Durham Hotel
Clouds Brewing
Hosted Cocktail Reception
turING FAQs
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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)?
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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.
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Current lineup announced and more coming soon! https://durham.innovationgathering.network/2026-speakers
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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