More than 600 regional leaders, professionals, and community partners gathered this week at Fort Lewis College for the second annual Four Corners AI Conference, a sold-out event focused on ethical, people-centered applications of artificial intelligence in rural and Native communities.
Hosted by the AI Institute at Fort Lewis College in partnership with the Durango Chamber of Commerce and the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, the daylong conference featured two keynote conversations examining data sovereignty, Indigenous futures, and how those concepts translate into practical action across the Four Corners region.
Participants represented local government, education, health care, nonprofits, and small businesses. Throughout the main-stage sessions, speakers connected national AI trends to local challenges, emphasizing ethics, Indigenous perspectives, and the implications of AI for public institutions and rural communities.
“At the AI Institute, we see our role as building bridges,” said FLC Provost Mario Martinez, founder of the AI Institute. “We want to collaborate with regional leaders to understand what AI can and cannot do, explore applications in real settings, and ensure rural communities help shape the future rather than being shaped by it.”
Keynotes explore sovereignty and Indigenous futures
The morning keynote, “The Power of Sovereign AI: Protecting and Creating Intellectual Property in the Fifth Industrial Revolution,” was delivered by Luke Norris, co-founder of Kamiwaza.ai, a company that develops advanced AI agents to help organizations streamline operations and safely automate complex processes.
Norris examined how rural communities and small businesses can protect their knowledge while building AI systems that reflect local priorities. He emphasized data ownership, locally controlled models, and the importance of ensuring rural communities participate in — and benefit from — the value AI creates.
The second keynote, delivered by filmmaker and scholar Angelo Baca, invited attendees to consider artificial intelligence through Navajo philosophy and relational responsibility. In his address, “Intercepting the Prompt: Thinking About Navajo Philosophy and Ethical Use of AI for the Future of the Diné People,” Baca explored how AI systems can influence storytelling, language, and power, and encouraged participants to reflect on how decisions made today will shape Indigenous futures and lands.
The conference also featured workshops and breakout sessions tailored to a range of experience levels, from AI beginners to industry practitioners.
Among the presenters were Fort Lewis College students Kahlil Ballenger, Kelvin Benedict, and Blake Mister, who led sessions on AI applications for marketing and app creation through “vibe coding.” Benedict and Mister also serve as junior AI analysts with the AI Institute, highlighting the role of students in advancing applied, responsible AI work.
The Four Corners AI Conference is a cornerstone event for the AI Institute at Fort Lewis College, which serves as a regional hub for responsible and applied artificial intelligence. Building on the momentum of its second year, the AI Institute will host two spring events focused on AI and the environment and AI and the future of work.