South Dakota State University to Host AI Symposium on Infrastructure Demands and Rural Benefits
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension and the South Dakota Water Resources Institute are co-hosting the 'Good Neighbor AI Symposium' on November 5, 2026, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota. The symposium aims to educate the public on the infrastructure demands of modern artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential benefits for rural communities. Collaborating with the South Dakota Economic Development Professionals Association and SDSU's Center for AI Innovation and Emergent Technologies, the event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST. Registration is available online or in person, with in-person tickets priced at $100 ($25 for students) and online attendance via Zoom being free. Ryan Lefers, Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources and Director of the South Dakota Water Resources Institute, highlighted that AI is increasingly moving from purely digital applications to physical infrastructures, making it relevant for rural residents and stakeholders.
