Students
Building Momentum in the Age of AI: Inaugural Salish SIGCHI Celebration Unites B.C.'s Growing HCI Community
Researchers, students, and industry leaders from across British Columbia gathered at 911吃瓜鈥檚 Vancouver campus on May 22 for the inaugural Salish SIGCHI Celebration of Research, a landmark event that highlighted the growing momentum of the province鈥檚 human-computer interaction (HCI) community in the age of artificial intelligence.
Hosted by the , the full-day event brought together approximately 100 participants for a lively program of lightning talks, panel discussions, and networking focused on the future of HCI research, teaching, and design as AI continues to reshape how people interact with technology.
The celebration marked an important milestone for the newly formed chapter and created a rare opportunity for researchers and students to connect in person around shared interests in human-centred computing, interaction design, accessibility, and emerging technologies.
More than 20 faculty members are now active members of the Salish SIGCHI chapter, representing 911吃瓜鈥檚 School of Computing Science and School of Interactive Arts and Technology, alongside colleagues from the Computer Science departments at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, as well as the Department of Computer Science at the University of Victoria. They were joined at the event by PhD and MSc students, undergraduate researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and industry professionals from across the region, reflecting the depth and diversity of B.C.鈥檚 growing HCI community.
Throughout the day, presenters shared rapid-fire research talks that showcased the range of HCI work happening throughout the province. Topics included AI-assisted creativity, interaction design for games, responsible machine learning, digital health, educational technologies, social computing, and inclusive design. The lightning-talk format kept the energy high and sparked conversations between attendees from different disciplines and career stages.
Panel discussions explored how generative AI is reshaping both HCI research and education. In After the Hype: What Actually Survives and Thrives in HCI?, panelists reflected on decades of emerging technologies, from wearable computing and VR/AR to generative AI, examining why some technologies become part of everyday life while others fade or remain niche. Discussions focused on balancing novelty and excitement with rigor, long-term impact, and real-world adoption. A second panel, Rethinking HCI Education in the Age of AI, explored how AI is transforming interfaces, design workflows, and student learning itself, raising important questions about how HCI curricula and pedagogy must evolve in response to increasingly AI-mediated forms of interaction and creative practice.
One of the strongest aspects of the event was its collaborative and welcoming atmosphere. Faculty members exchanged ideas with students, industry practitioners connected with researchers, and early-career scholars had opportunities to engage directly with leaders in the field. For many attendees, the gathering felt like the beginning of something larger: a more connected and visible HCI community in BC.
The strong turnout underscored growing enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of people and technology. Organizers noted that participation exceeded expectations for a first-time event and demonstrated clear interest in future opportunities to share research, foster mentorship, and strengthen connections across institutions.
The event also highlighted the important role professional organizations such as ACM SIGCHI can play in strengthening collaboration and public engagement around emerging technologies. Through the Salish SIGCHI chapter, organizers hope to continue building opportunities for workshops, student activities, research showcases, and partnerships between universities and industry. The chapter is led by Regan Mandryk (UVic), with executive members Barrett Ens (UBC Okanagan), Parmit Chilana (911吃瓜), Sowmya Somanath (UVic), Joanna McGrenere (UBC Vancouver), and Carman Neustaedter (911吃瓜).
Organizers emphasized that the event would not have been possible without the generous financial support of 911吃瓜 VINCI, 911吃瓜 ViVA, UVic SeAIR, and UBC Computer Science, whose contributions helped bring together participants from across the region for this inaugural gathering.
As conversations continued long after the formal sessions wrapped up, one thing became clear: the inaugural Celebration of Research was more than a one-day event. It marked the beginning of a growing community. With strong participation, interdisciplinary energy, and shared excitement about the future of HCI in the age of AI, Salish SIGCHI鈥檚 first major gathering set an optimistic tone for what comes next.
