Responsible AI conversations shaped by community
July 10, 2026
Invited to the 2026 Summer Youth Conference in Chinle, the Office of Responsible AI explored why AI still needs human judgment, context and accountability.
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The Office of Responsible AI participated in the Summer Youth Conference 2026
Photo Courtesy of Johnson Nez
The University of Arizona Office of Responsible AI and the Arizona Institute for AI and Society (AI2S) took part in the 2026 Summer Youth Conference on June 16 in Chinle on the Navajo Nation. Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez invited the team to the conference, which was hosted by the Chinle Office of Diné Youth at Navajo Technical University-Chinle and brought together Diné youth and elders.
Rudy Salcido, Michele Cosi and Tina L. Johnson of the Office of Responsible AI and AI2S joined Byron Tsabetsaye of the U of A Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal
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From left, Rudy Salcido, Tina L. Johnson, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Michele Cosi at the 2026 Summer Youth Conference in Chinle on the Navajo Nation.
Photo courtesy of Rudy Salcido
Engagement to lead a session titled “AI is Lowkey Running Your Life.” The presentation connected AI concepts to everyday activities, including social media, sports analytics, AI-generated images and fluctuating concert ticket prices.
The session centered on keeping a “human in the loop.” While AI can analyze data and offer recommendations, the presenters emphasized that people must still provide the judgment, context and accountability needed to use it responsibly.
“By engaging youth in Native Nations and Tribal communities in conversations about responsible AI, we help them build the knowledge to think critically, make informed choices and use technology in ways that strengthen their communities while honoring their traditions, cultures and values,” said Tina L. Johnson, senior program manager at the Office of Responsible AI.
The team reached 96 attendees during the conference. In a survey afterward, 90% of respondents said they learned something new, and most named that learning something new was their favorite part of the session.
During a lunchtime panel moderated by Shanidiin Jeff of the Navajo Nation Museum, Johnson joined Diné youth Heihewalani Tsosie; Virginia Nelson, program manager with the Office of Diné Youth; and cybersecurity professional Brandon Benallie. The panel discussed how responsible AI might help preserve Diné bizaad (the Navajo language), oral histories and cultural traditions while keeping Indigenous knowledge under community control.
For the Office of Responsible AI, the visit reinforced a simple message: AI can support people’s work, but people remain responsible for how it is used.