Questions, answered.

No. Presenters will already be building with AI, but attendees only need curiosity. The point is to see practical local work, ask useful questions, and meet the people behind it.

Expect a fast series of three-minute demonstrations, time for candid questions and conversation, and an extended founder or builder spotlight. You will see real products and experiments rather than a stack of speculative slide decks.

Not at all. Your attendee RSVP is for a seat in the room. If you do have something you want to demonstrate, use the presenter-interest link on the event page so the team can coordinate with you.

Yes. Attendance is free and advance RSVP is strongly encouraged because space is limited. You do not need to purchase an AI subscription to attend.

That's a good sign. We'll keep a waitlist and notify you if seats or additional capacity become available. We'll also keep you posted about the next event, because a waitlist means we should do this again.

Please do. An attending adult owns the reservation and can add everyone in the group; each person counts toward capacity. Choose each additional attendee’s age group first. For adults, we collect a name and optional contact details. For ages 13–17, we store only “Minor Child,” the age category, and the attending parent or legal guardian’s name—not the teen’s actual name, email address, or phone number.

Bring your questions and curiosity. A phone or notebook may be useful for saving links and names, but attendees do not need to bring a laptop.

That is completely fine. AI:AF is a showcase and community gathering, not a hands-on build night. The presenters will supply what they need for their demonstrations.

No. You can attend, watch, ask questions, and meet people without creating or paying for an AI account.

Yes. Teens ages 13–17 are welcome with a registered parent or legal guardian who remains present and actively supervises them. They may work hands-on with an AI tool when its provider permits use at their age and any required parent or guardian permission is in place; adult-only tools must be operated by the adult. We are not set up for children under 13. No STEM or technical background is required.

No. This is a community showcase focused on what people are actually making, how they approached it, and what others can learn from seeing the work up close.

Light refreshments are planned during check-in. Include dietary restrictions in the RSVP accommodations field; we will do our best to accommodate them and communicate any ingredient or cross-contact limitations.

No. Most people in the room will be there to watch, ask questions, and make connections. Presenting is a separate, lightly curated path.

Presenters retain control of their projects and decide what they are comfortable showing. Attending or presenting does not transfer ownership of a project to the organizers or hosts.

Paid street parking and nearby lots run about $5 for the evening. The venue is walkable from most Old City and downtown Knoxville hotels.

Yes, 121 Tech Hub is accessible. Add specific needs to the RSVP accommodations field or email events@builtthis.ai so we can plan with you.

This is a public event. Photography and videography may take place by attendees, hosts, or event sponsors and may be shared afterward. Opt-out requests will be respected; add the request to the accommodations field when registering so we can plan ahead.

AI:AF is hosted by CGI Federal and 121 Tech Hub. Larisa Brass, Director of Innovation at the Knoxville Chamber, joins us as the opening guest; the Chamber is not an event host.