NIVAN EVENTS

Bridging technology across time

Conversations at the intersection of Tech, AI, UX and Design, bringing together the ideas that shaped us, the questions challenging us now, and the possibilities ahead.

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  Tech + AI
  UX + Design
  Past • Present • Future
  In Person
  Human + AI

Creative Duel Seattle 2026

Two sides.
No safe answers.

AGENTS

VS

INTERFACES

If AI can act on our behalf, who are we really designing for?

Two sides defend opposing answers under pressure from each other and from the room. Then leaders making these calls inside real organizations translate the debate into what you ship on Monday. We poll the room before and after, and tell you what moved.

November 3, 2026 Blink Studio, Seattle Duel followed by Leadership Panel Drinks Included Limited Seats

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COMING UP! JOIN US IN SEATTLE

COMING UP! DECEMBER 2026

Big ideas shouldn’t have to wait for the next conference.

Nivan Community brings Chicago’s AI, UX, design, research, product and innovation community together throughout the year for free gatherings, conversations and connection.

Nivan Community stats: 2,222+ members, 4.8 star community rating, free Chicago gatherings

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COMING UP - JANUARY 2027

Nivan Global Creative Duel 2027

Two sides.
One global room.

SYNTHETIC USERS

REAL HUMANS

VS

Can synthetic users replace what we learn from real people?

Every month, two duelists defend opposing answers while a leadership panel from around the world tests both sides. We poll the audience before and after, and show you what moved. Live online, from wherever you are.

Live Online January 21, 2027 Duel followed by Global Leadership Panel New question every month Waiting List Open

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Don Norman, speaker at the Nivan Chicago 2027 Innovation conference

Lisa Gudding, Chief Growth Officer at Ipsos, speaker at the Nivan Chicago 2027 Innovation conference

We’re back.
And we’re thinking bigger.

COMING UP! MAY 2027

CHICAGO · MAY 2027

Date + venue to be announced

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PAST EVENT - Creative Duels - September 2026

The questions we put on stage.

We put two tensions shaping how we work with AI on the table, and asked practitioners to take a side. Then, the room decided.

Pavi Gupta, Founder of The Insight Exchange, Generalist duelist at Nivan Creative Duel Chicago 2026

Karen Semone, Founder and Principal of Team Uncanny, Specialist duelist at Nivan Creative Duel Chicago 2026

Duel 01

Generalistvs.Specialist

As AI takes on more execution, is deep specialization still an advantage?

The verdict

The opening vote was almost a tie. When the second round of dots was counted, Specialist came out ahead.

Before

Generalist

16

Specialist

18

After

Generalist

13

Specialist

26

Generalist

Pavi Gupta

Founder, The Insight Exchange
Former VP / Insights Lead, Coca-Cola, J&J, SCJ & Chobani

Specialist

Karen Semone

Founder & Principal, Team Uncanny
Former VP, Innovation, Salesforce

Denise Miqueli, Director of Product Design at Zumba Fitness, Build Fast duelist at Nivan Creative Duel Chicago 2026

Eric Boggs, Principal Designer at Athenahealth, Build Right duelist at Nivan Creative Duel Chicago 2026

Duel 02

Build Fastvs.Build Right

When AI can make anything in an afternoon, does craft still matter?

The verdict

Build Right held the early lead. By the end of the duel, the board had swung to Build Fast.

Before

Build Fast

9

Build Right

23

After

Build Fast

26

Build Right

13

Build Fast

Denise Miqueli

Director of Product Design, Zumba Fitness

Build Right

Eric Boggs

Principal Designer, Athenahealth

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PAST EVENT - NIVAN FLAGSHIP - MAY 2026

Relive the energy

19 Speakers | 11+ Industries | 1 Unforgettable Day

May 21, 2026 at Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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"Nivan creates a rare space for real dialogue about what's next"

Nivan 2026 testimonial from Yogesh Chavda, Co-Founder of The Yogi AI: There was a noticeable absence of performative AI hype and a refreshing focus on real conversations, real people, and what's next.

Nivan 2026 testimonial from speaker Kyle Schulz: Nivan is truly special. Thoughtfully curated, deeply relevant, and full of possibility. The inaugural format set a high bar, and I'm excited to see where it goes next.

Nivan 2026 testimonial from Ashley Craig, Managing Director of Research and Product Innovation: Niketa chose different metrics, not just how many people showed up, but how many left more curious, more connected, and more committed to what's next.

Be part of what’s next Nivan

Every Nivan talk lives somewhere on the timeline: lessons from the past, judgment calls happening right now, or the future we should be designing toward. If your work sits at the intersection of Tech, AI, UX, and Design, there is a place in our program with your name on it. Apply Now!