The AI Institute at Fort Lewis College is excited to announce the keynote speakers for the second annual Four Corners AI Conference: Angelo Baca and Luke Norris. Both speakers bring powerful perspectives to this year’s theme, AI for Rural Communities, and will help shape important conversations about inclusion, innovation, and impact.

The conference takes place on December 16 and focuses on practical tools and real-world problem solving. At the center of it, the two keynote sessions will challenge, inspire, and expand how we think about artificial intelligence in rural contexts.  

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Angelo Baca: Indigenous Knowledge, Ethics, and AI

Angelo Baca (Diné/Hopi) is an Assistant Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design in History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences. A filmmaker, activist, and scholar, Baca’s work focuses on sacred lands protection, Indigenous food sovereignty, and repatriation. He has also played a key role in national efforts, including service on the Bears Ears National Monument Committee and the Derogatory Place Names Task Force.

Baca brings critical perspective to the conference through his work on Indigenous sovereignty, cultural protection, and ethical policy.

“Angelo's perspective on AI guardrails, ethics, and responsibilities as it pertains to the preservation and protection of Native American culture is applicable to all domains of AI use and its impact,” said Mario Martinez, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and AI Institute founder.

Luke Norris: Data Sovereignty and Scalable AI

Luke Norris is the co-founder and CEO of KamiwazaAI, where he leads enterprise-level innovation in secure, scalable generative AI. With over $100 million raised in venture capital and a background deploying AI and machine learning solutions for Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies, Norris brings deep expertise to the conversation.

Norris will speak about Sovereign AI, the idea that industries, governments, and institutions must maintain control over the AI systems they use and the intellectual property they produce. His keynote will explore real-world approaches to ensuring sovereignty and trust in an era of rapid technological change.

“Luke’s discussion about data sovereignty and the strategies that support it is vital in an environment where technology and policy are evolving rapidly,” added Martinez.

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Registration and Opportunities

Full conference details, including registration and session schedules, are available on our Whova site. If you're interested in getting involved, leading a breakout session, or supporting the event, please contact the AI Institute at ai@fortlewis.edu. We’re building this conference with and for our region, and we would love to have you be part of it.

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