OHIO’s College of Business to host 2026 Midwest Association for Information Systems Conference

Ohio University’s College of Business will host the 21st Midwest Association for Information Systems Conference on the Athens campus. The conference will take place on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22, at OHIO’s Walter Hall Rotunda.

The Midwest Association for Information Systems (MWAIS) Conference is the premier information systems event in the Midwest and will bring together a vibrant community of academics, researchers, practitioners and students who are passionate about exploring the intersection of technology and business. The conference will feature keynote sessions from leaders in the State of Ohio government, deans and scholars from leading business colleges across the United States, and IT industry leaders from throughout Ohio. The conference will also include more than 60 peer-reviewed research papers, interdisciplinary and academic-industry panel discussions, AI workshops, and networking sessions.

“Hosting MWAIS 2026 positions Ohio University and the College of Business at the center of important conversations on AI and the future of work,” said 2026 MWAIS Conference Chair and Ohio University Professor Gaurav Bansal. “This conference is unique because it is intentionally designed to build bridges. It brings together academia, government and industry, while also building bridges across disciplines and among universities throughout Ohio and beyond.”

The 2026 MWAIS Conference will explore cutting-edge research, industry trends and emerging technologies with the theme of “The Future of Work: Adapting to the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Automation.” The theme delves into the profound changes brought by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in the workplace and explores how businesses and individuals can adapt to a new era of digital transformation, highlighting the emerging skills needed to thrive in a tech-driven economy. 

“The theme recognizes that AI is not an ordinary technology. It is transforming work, organizations and society as a whole,” said Bansal. “We have panels that include professionals from accounting, finance, legal, healthcare and information systems because AI is not limited to one field; it affects humanity and all disciplines. Hosting this event allows us to facilitate these interdisciplinary conversations and connect partners across Ohio and beyond.”

This year’s conference will be the first MWAIS event held in the state of Ohio, and the largest yet in terms of paper submissions. Several faculty members and doctoral students, including participants from Ohio University, will lead discussions and present their research, and students will also have opportunities to volunteer at the event. With more than 60 accepted papers from across the US and countries such as India, Bangladesh, Germany and Singapore, along with a doctoral consortium, the event will create a strong global platform for knowledge sharing.

“Hosting a conference like this reinforces our position as a hub for high-quality research and thought leadership,” said Associate Dean of Graduate, Professional and Executive Programs and OHIO Professor Gabe Giordano. “It highlights the strength of our faculty and programs while creating valuable opportunities for our students and community to engage with leading experts. It’s exciting to showcase our campus and community while welcoming colleagues from many locations.”

For more information on registering, the full schedule of events, speaker biographies and more, please visit https://sites.ohio.edu/mwais.