National Fair Housing Alliance Convenes Elected Officials, Civil Rights Leaders, and Technologists for 3rd Responsible AI Symposium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Fair Housing Alliance Convenes Elected Officials, Civil Rights Leaders, and Technologists for 3rd Responsible AI Symposium
Washington, D.C. — As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes access to housing, credit, insurance, employment, and economic opportunity, the National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™) will convene leaders from government, civil rights, technology, financial services, and academia for its Third Annual Responsible AI Symposium, taking place March 30–April 1, 2026, at the Hilton Washington, D.C. National Mall The Wharf.
This year’s symposium theme—“Zero Gap: Aligning AI with Civil and Human Rights”—reflects the urgency of ensuring that rapidly advancing technologies do not reinforce historic patterns of discrimination. While AI is often framed as neutral, experts increasingly warn that decades of segregation, exclusion, unequal investment, and systemic discrimination across housing, economic, and social systems are embedded in the data that power automated technologies, allowing bias to scale at unprecedented speed.
Over the course of the three-day Symposium, attendees will engage in deep discussion and exchange ideas on how to embed principles of accountability and explainability into automated systems to ensure that AI works for all.
“AI is a powerful force influencing housing, credit, education, employment, healthcare, consumer protection, and the basic functioning of our democracy,” said Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance. “For millions of people, AI now determines what opportunities are available, who is seen, who is heard, and who receives a fair chance. The stakes have never been higher.”
“We started the Responsible AI Symposium three years ago because we saw the urgent need to ensure that AI protects and advances civil rights,” said Dr. Michael Akinwumi, NFHA’s Chief AI Officer and Head of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL). “This gathering is a commitment to build systems responsibly, create guardrails that protect people, and ensure technology serves humanity—not the other way around.”
Daily Highlights
Monday, March 30, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Documentary Screening: “Look Up Now: AI and the Future of Humanity”
- Panel Discussion: Chris Nolan, Director; Malik Yoba, Actor, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist; Anna-Lysa Gayle, News Anchor; Dr. Thema Monroe-White; George Mason University; Elizabeth Vella Moeller, AI Trust Foundation.
- Networking Reception
Tuesday, March 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Keynote address: Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland)
- Panel Discussion on Data Centers and Community & Economic Development featuring Michal Turner, Loudoun County, VA Board of Supervisors; Darija Cosic, Meta; Lili Gangas, Kapor Foundation; Chenise Anthony, Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis.
- Panel Discussion on AI Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility featuring Shanika Hope, Google; Jennifer Butler, Zillow; Leah Perry, Box, Inc.; Shannon Terry, Nationwide; Chancela Al-Mansour, Housing Rights Center (HRC).
- Fireside Chat on AI Governance and Implementation featuring Vilas Dhar, President, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and Dr. Michael Akinwumi, Chief AI Officer and Head of Responsible AI Lab, NFHA.
Wednesday, April 1, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Special Conversation: Marc Morial, President, National Urban League in conversation with Michael S. Barr, Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Click Here for Live Stream Link.
- Special Conversation: New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport in conversation with Janell Byrd-Chichester, General Counsel, National Fair Housing Alliance. Click Here for Live Stream Link.
- Special Briefing: Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (D‑N.C., 4th District), Co-Chair, U.S. House Democratic Commission On AI.
- Fireside Chat on Responsible AI in Financial Regulation: Don Graves, 19th Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce in conversation with Michael Hsu, Former Acting Comptroller of the Currency. Click Here for Live Stream Link.
- Second Responsible AI Pitch Competition: Five AI Startups will pitch their AI innovations aligning civil and human rights.
For the full Symposium Agenda click here
MEDIA MUST RSVP BY CLICKING HERE and e-mailing NFHA Senior Advisor Julian Glover at jglover@nationalfairhousing.org.
About the National Fair Housing Alliance Responsible AI Lab
The Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) works to enable fair housing through Responsible AI and future technologies by addressing risks, promoting equity, and advancing innovative technologies. RAIL is committed to ensuring that AI systems and emerging technologies in housing adhere to the principles of security, safety, and trustworthiness, preventing discriminatory outcomes and mitigating segregation patterns.
About the National Fai Housing Alliance
The National Fair Housing Alliance leads a coalition of organizations and individuals that works to end housing discrimination, expand equitable opportunities, and build inclusive, well-resourced, and resilient communities where people can thrive.
Sponsors
The National Fair Housing Alliance would like to thank our sponsors of the 2026 Responsible AI Symposium: Rocket, Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase, Zillow, Google, Meta, Truist, Airbnb, Bilt, Cotality, and the National Association of REALTORS®.