Legal
Code of Conduct
The standards we expect from everyone who takes part in Boston AI Week.
Last updated: September 10, 2026 · Version 2.0 (replaces the June 5, 2026 version). Prior versions are available at aiweek.boston/code-of-conduct/versions.
On this page
- This Code is also our anti-harassment policy
- Where and to whom this Code applies
- Expected behavior
- Unacceptable behavior
- Harassment and sexual harassment
- Alcohol and safety at events
- Photography, recording, and privacy
- Responsible AI conduct
- Hosts' responsibilities
- Sponsors, exhibitors, and recruiters
- Reporting an incident
- What happens after a report
- Consequences
- No retaliation
- Safety and emergencies
- Accessibility and accommodations
- Relationship to our Terms and Privacy Policy
- Acknowledgement
- Contact
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. It also applies to events we produce ourselves (such as the Boston AI Summit, the Core Week parties, the career fair, headquarters activations, and harbor boat rides), to the Shop, our surveys, and our email programs, and to our official channels on third-party platforms such as Meetup and LinkedIn. 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.
- Possession of weapons or dangerous items at any event.
- Excessive intoxication, or possession or use of illegal drugs, at any event.
- Unauthorized solicitation, selling, recruiting, or other commercial activity at an event without the host's or our permission, and use of Boston AI Week's name, marks, or channels to promote unaffiliated events, products, or services.
- Circumventing registration, access controls, or capacity limits; using multiple accounts or automation to RSVP, apply, or purchase; or reselling RSVPs, admissions, or tickets.
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.
Alcohol and safety at events
Boston AI Week does not sell, serve, or furnish alcohol at any event. Where a venue, licensed vendor, host, partner, or sponsor serves alcohol, it does so under its own license and responsibility, outside Boston AI Week's control. Where alcohol is served, you must be at least 21 with valid identification, and you are responsible for drinking responsibly and arranging safe transportation. Venues, organizers, and hosts may refuse service or entry to, or remove, anyone who appears impaired. Follow venue rules, emergency procedures, and the instructions of venue staff, and, on harbor boat rides, the instructions and safety briefings of the vessel's crew. If you feel unwell or have symptoms of a contagious illness, please stay home and join us another day.
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.
Official Boston AI Week photographers, videographers, media partners, and press capture images and recordings at events, which are used to document and promote the festival under the photography, recording, and media release in our Terms of Service. If you prefer not to be photographed close-up, tell the photographer, an organizer, or the host. The rule above about consent is about attendees recording one another: ask first.
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. Comply with applicable law when demonstrating AI systems, including privacy, intellectual property, and export-control law, and do not demonstrate or distribute AI tools for unlawful purposes.
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. Hosts remain responsible for incidents at their events; Boston AI Week may also review reports it receives and act on listings, accounts, and future participation.
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. Collect attendee information only directly from the attendee with their clear consent, or through an opt-in that Boston AI Week offers on the attendee's behalf; never by scanning, harvesting, or scraping, and never from Boston AI Week's systems without that opt-in. Use it only for the purposes disclosed to the attendee, honor opt-out requests, and protect it.
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. Reports may be made anonymously, although this can limit our ability to follow up. Reports about a host's event may be made to the host, to us, or to both.
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. Because hosted events are run by independent hosts, we do not undertake to investigate or resolve every incident at a hosted event, but we may take action regarding listings, accounts, and future participation based on what we learn.
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. Removal or exclusion under this Code is without refund and without liability to Boston AI Week or SmartCurrent Inc.
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. We are working toward WCAG 2.1 AA conformance for aiweek.boston; if you encounter a barrier on the Site, email us and we will work to address it.
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. Version 2.0, effective September 10, 2026. Previous version: June 5, 2026.
