Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way APTA members work. Preparing the public transit workforce for what’s next will require innovation adoption as some roles emerge, change, or grow to incorporate the use of AI. The APTA 2026 Workforce Summit is accepting abstracts for AI workforce initiatives—including AI policies and procedures, operations, and innovative technology—aimed at developing and/or preparing the workforce for the future.
Please Note: we are seeking individual speaker submissions only – not full panel ideas, at this time. Please craft your abstract around you and/or a partner presentation, not a full panel of a moderator and several speakers. Your submission will be paired with our similar submissions to curate a well rounded session.
Our internal subject matter experts have develop the session topics below based on extensive feedback from committee meetings, survey results, and one-on-one member conversations. Once submissions are reviewed by a committee of members and staff; staff will begin extending invitations to those who were selected based on their experience and partnerships that are aligned with the program.
We appreciate your interest in participating at our upcoming event. If you have more questions about this process, please email abstracts@apta.com . If you need to edit/update a submitted abstract, log into the Abstract Service Center. Your login credential can be found in your confirmation email.
Deadline to Submit: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET
Submission Details:
- You MUST be an APTA member in good standing to submit abstracts.
- Submit abstracts separately.
- Do not submit duplicate abstracts under different topics. Select the topic closest to your main ideas.
- Do not submit preselected full panel abstracts.
- Be sure to add ALL proposed speakers (you and a partner, if it’s a joint presentation)
- APTA will communicate with the submitter for all notifications and deadlines, who must share information as needed with speaker(s)
- Submissions should avoid being a sales pitch or overly commercial
- All proposals must be submitted using the online form, to be considered
- Be concise when submitting your abstract (350 words max). If possible, highlight the top 3 takeaways that the audience will take away and any “actionable” items.
- Submissions should reflect innovative, cutting-edge content
- APTA will confirm if your submission has been accepted as a speaker on a panel or other opportunity
- Submitters may submit multiple abstracts but will only have one opportunity to speak, if selected
- Session topics are subject to change, depending on volume and quality of submissions received.
- After careful review, all submitters will receive an official notification by email.
- If selected, your submission will be paired with other similar submissions to curate a well-rounded session. APTA sessions are typically 60 minutes long consisting of a 45- minute presentation and 15-minute Q&A. So, each speaker or both co-speakers jointly will have approximately 10 to 12 minutes of presentation time on average.
- If selected, speakers are encouraged to support the event by registering. APTA does not cover registration, hotel or other expenses for speakers.
- Submissions are not automatically accepted and APTA reserves the right to make all final decisions on speaker selections.
- Notifications will be sent out around mid to late February.
Submission Topics
The APTA 2026 Workforce Summit is accepting abstracts for:
- AI workforce initiatives
- AI policy and procedure initiatives
- AI operations initiatives
- AI innovative technology initiatives
Please use the online Submission Portal to submit your abstract.
