The Thirty-Eighth Annual Conference on Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI-26) is a premier venue for novel studies of AI deployments in real-world applications. IAAI-26 features technical papers, best practices, invited talks, and panel discussions that explore challenges, methodologies, and lessons learned from the practical use of AI. Submissions should focus on applied AI; purely theoretical work and algorithmic descriptions are more suited for AAAI-26.

IAAI-26 seeks novel contributions in the following areas: (1) Deployed Applications showcasing the novel use of AI with measurable benefits, best practices and lessons learned; (2) Innovative Applications of AI on trajectory for full deployment; (3) Tools and Methodologies that accelerate safer AI development and deployment and analysis of factors contributing to failures, incidents and their mitigation.

Tracks and Topics

1. Deployed Highly Innovative Applications of AI​

Papers submitted to this track must describe deployed applications that demonstrate measurable benefits through innovative use of AI technology. An application is considered deployed once it is in production and used by end-users, with meaningful data collected on its performance. Submissions may focus on either standalone applications or components of larger systems. Papers will be evaluated based on the quality of the problem description, AI approach, innovation in AI use, measurable improvements, deployment details, and lessons learned during development, deployment, and maintenance. In-depth algorithm descriptions are better suited for AAAI. Each accepted paper will receive the IAAI ‘Innovative Application’ Certificate Award.

Page Limit: 8 pages, Format: AAAI style and formatting guidelines.

*No page limit for references and appendices.

2. Emerging Applications of AI

The Emerging Applications track focuses on novel applications of AI methods to real-world problems that are not yet fully deployed. Submissions should demonstrate potential for future deployment, addressing emerging engineering or sociotechnical challenges and their practical relevance. Papers will be evaluated on problem significance, innovation, AI methodology, technical quality, and clarity, with a clear path toward deployment. The Emerging Track is more selective than the Deployed Track, allowing papers that have not yet been fully deployed.

Page Limit: 6 pages, Format: AAAI style and formatting guidelines.
*No page limit for references and appendices.

3. Tools and Methodologies for Moving Faster and Safer

Within this track, we solicit papers describing deployed tools, practices, policies, and methods improving applied AI innovation and deployment of AI systems. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Incident Analysis: Analysis of development and deployment processes and artifacts, focusing on real-world harms resulting from one or more AI incidents
Incident Trend Analysis: Analyze trends in AI incidents to identify unresolved challenges in the deployment of AI systems
Incident Best Practices: Detail best practices in producing and deploying systems to prevent or mitigate AI incidents
Deployed Process Organization: Tools that help manage and assure the development, evaluation, or deployment of AI systems.
Deployed Data Hygiene and Data Quality Tools: Tools designed to address challenges in processing raw data for use in AI systems.
Deployed Meta-Optimization: Tools for enhancing AI systems through algorithm configurators, algorithm portfolios, and hyperparameter optimization.
Deployed novel computational models: Tools to exploit new computational hardware, such as neuromorphic processors, quantum computers, and other application-specific AI chips and systems.
Papers will be evaluated primarily by the following criteria: the extent to which the research presented improves quality, development, deployment, maintenance costs, productivity, reliability, and scaling. The evaluation will strongly factor in the degree to which the research is likely to enable real-world applied AI researchers to produce better AI solutions, including factors related to ease of use, adoption, documentation, and impact on the practices of the applications community.

Papers will be reviewed by a program committee of AI researchers, industry experts, human factors, safety, and ethics, with a particular focus on whether the paper efficiently informs the production and deployment of AI systems.

Page Limit: 6 pages, Format: AAAI style and formatting guidelines.
*No page limit for references and appendices.

Submission Instructions

Electronic submissions are required. Papers must be in trouble-free, high-resolution PDF format, US letter (8.5” x 11”), and AAAI two-column format (use the CameraReady templates in the AAAI 2026 Author Kit). Please see track descriptions for specific page limits above.

Supplementary material in the form of (1) technical appendix, (2) multimedia, (3) code, and data may be submitted alongside all papers. The main submission may reference the supplementary material, but should be self-contained. Evaluations are primarily based on the main submission, and reviewers are not obliged to consult the supplementary material.

Submissions to IAAI-26 should contain identifying information about the authors and their affiliations. Reviewing is single-blind, NOT double-blind. It is also recommended that authors from the deploying institutions be added as co-authors to show the real-world impact of the submission.

Authors should register on the IAAI-26 OpenReview paper submission site. IAAI does not accept papers submitted through other channels. Submissions received after the deadline or not meeting the length or formatting requirements detailed above will not be accepted for review. Notification of the electronic paper receipt will be emailed to the first author (or designated contact author) soon after receipt.

By submitting a paper to IAAI, the authors agree that the Program Chairs have the final decision on the acceptance of publication at the conference. Authors will not be invited to rebut their reviews, but select papers will be paired with a member of the Program Committee to “shepherd” the paper. Shepherding means the paper would be acceptable with changes (e.g., providing more information about the deployment). The shepherd works with the authors to ensure those changes are made, then renders a final recommendation to the Program Committee on accepting the paper.

All submissions must be original. IAAI-26 will not consider any paper that, at the time of submission, is under review for or has already been published or accepted for publication in a journal or another conference. Once submitted to IAAI-26, authors may not submit the paper elsewhere during IAAI’s review period. These restrictions apply only to refereed journals and conferences, not preliminary versions posted as preprints to arXiv.org or other unrefereed forums, or workshops with a limited audience and without archival proceedings. Authors must confirm that their submissions to IAAI conform to these requirements at the time of submission.

Paper Awards
This year, we are excited to announce the IAAI paper awards:

Festo Best Use of AI in Industrial Engineering
The Festo Best Use of AI in Industrial Engineering award recognizes the most innovative use of AI in designing, building, and programming automation solutions. An example could be the use of large language models in these processes. The award reflects the profound impact AI is making on industrial engineering, from automation operations to human-machine interactions​​.
The top paper will receive a $1000 prize plus $1000 travel support, while the runner-up will receive $500 sponsored by Festo. Both awardees will have a chance to attend the exclusive Festo.IO conference and may be offered an internship. Submissions should demonstrate creative AI applications in areas such as deep learning, big data analysis, and smart manufacturing​​.
Additional paper awards are likely to be added in the coming months.
Organization
Correspondence may be sent to IAAI at iaai26chairs@aaai.org.



IAAI-26 Application Area Chairs

AI in Medicine
Philip Sheu (University of California Irvine)
Shameer Khader (Sanofi)

AI in IT and Infrastructure
Naehyuck Chang (Samsung)
Benjamin Schaefer (University of Texas)

AI in Law and Regulation
Brad Ahrens (FINRA)

AI in Retail and E-Commerce
Daqing Zhao (Macy’s)
Yuyang Wang (Stanford University)

AI in Finance and Insurance
Wenjie Hu (Bank of America)
Nam Nguyen (Capital One)

AI in Manufacturing and Electronics
Chung-Sheng Li (TSMC)
Michael Floyd (AMD)

AI in Transportation
Winnie Cheng (Accenture)