Code of Conduct

Boston AI Week is an independent community festival, operated by SmartCurrent Inc., that brings together thousands of people across the Massachusetts AI community — attendees, speakers, hosts, sponsors, exhibitors, recruiters, volunteers, press, and staff. We are committed to a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and professional experience for everyone, free from harassment and discrimination. This Code of Conduct sets the standards we expect from all participants. By taking part in Boston AI Week, in person or online, you agree to follow it.

This Code is also our anti-harassment policy

This Code of Conduct constitutes Boston AI Week's anti-harassment policy. References in our agreements to a "Code of Conduct" and/or an "Anti-Harassment Policy" are satisfied by this document.

Where and to whom this Code applies

This Code applies to everyone who participates in Boston AI Week and to all festival spaces and activities, including event venues, the website and your account, online and virtual sessions, official social media and communication channels, and related gatherings. Boston AI Week lists events run by independent hosts; as a condition of being listed, hosts agree to uphold and enforce this Code at their events.

Expected behavior

We ask everyone to: be respectful, considerate, and professional; collaborate and assume good faith; welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels; respect differing viewpoints and give constructive feedback; respect people's time, space, and boundaries; and follow the reasonable instructions of organizers, hosts, and venue staff.

Unacceptable behavior

The following are not tolerated anywhere in Boston AI Week:

• Harassment, intimidation, stalking, or bullying of any kind, in person or online.
• Discrimination or hate speech based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, religion, age, disability, medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Threats, incitement, or advocacy of violence or of any of the above.
• Unwelcome sexual attention or advances, sexual or sexualized comments or imagery, and inappropriate physical contact.
• Following, photographing, filming, or recording a person against their wishes.
• Sharing someone's private information ("doxxing") without consent.
• Sustained disruption of talks, sessions, events, or other activities.
• False, misleading, spammy, or deceptive content, including promotional content disguised as a community event.
• Any conduct that is unlawful or that violates the rights of others.

Harassment and sexual harassment

Harassment includes any unwelcome conduct — verbal, written, visual, or physical — that demeans, intimidates, or threatens a person or group, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Both are prohibited at all Boston AI Week activities.

Photography, recording, and privacy

Respect others' privacy. Do not photograph, film, or record an individual without their consent. Some events may be recorded by the host or by Boston AI Week; where that is the case, it will be disclosed. Information you share with us is handled in line with our Privacy Policy.

Responsible AI conduct

Because this is an AI festival, we also ask that you: do not use AI-generated content to harass, impersonate, defame, or deceive others, including deepfakes of attendees or speakers; represent demos, models, capabilities, and results honestly; and respect intellectual property and the data and privacy of others — do not scrape, repurpose, or train on attendee information or others' work without permission.

Hosts' responsibilities

If you host a listed event, you are responsible for upholding and enforcing this Code at your event, designating a point of contact for concerns, and handling incidents promptly and fairly. Boston AI Week may edit, decline, or remove a listing — and may decline future listings — if a host or event does not meet this Code. See our Terms of Service for full host responsibilities.

Sponsors, exhibitors, and recruiters

Sponsors, exhibitors, recruiters, and their staff are expected to follow this Code in booths, sponsored sessions, recruiting activities, and related activities. Promotional materials and presentations must be free of harassing, sexualized, or discriminatory content.

Reporting an incident

If you experience or witness a violation, please tell us. You can:

• Email info@aiweek.boston.
• Call us at +1 (800) 636-9505.
• At an in-person event, speak with an organizer, a volunteer, or the event host.

When you can, include what happened, who was involved, when and where it occurred, and any supporting detail. We take reports seriously and handle them as confidentially as we reasonably can, consistent with the need to investigate and address them.

What happens after a report

We review reports promptly and may take interim steps to protect participants while we look into a concern. We follow up with the people involved as appropriate. Our goal is a fair, timely, and proportionate response.

Consequences

Depending on the situation, responses may include: a warning; required corrective action; removal from an event or venue without refund; a ban from current or future Boston AI Week events; delisting a host's event; suspension or removal of a website account; and, where warranted, referral to law enforcement. Boston AI Week applies these measures at its discretion.

No retaliation

We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith or who participates in reviewing one. Retaliation is itself a violation of this Code.

Safety and emergencies

If you or someone else is in immediate danger at an in-person event, contact venue security or local emergency services (911) first, then notify an organizer.

Accessibility and accommodations

We want Boston AI Week to be accessible. If you need an accommodation to participate, contact info@aiweek.boston and we will do our best to help. Individual hosts are responsible for accessibility at their own events.

Relationship to our Terms and Privacy Policy

This Code of Conduct is part of, and incorporated by reference into, our Terms of Service, and works alongside our Privacy Policy.

Acknowledgement

By participating in Boston AI Week, in person or online, you agree to follow this Code of Conduct.

Contact

Questions or concerns? Email info@aiweek.boston or call +1 (800) 636-9505.