Speaking
This page is built for organizers, hosts, and institutions deciding fit. It keeps the emphasis on audience, topics, formats, and dated proof rather than promotional copy.
Recent
Keynote speaker at the Forest Municipal School District's 2026 Opening Convocation, sharing practical strategies for leveraging AI to enhance teaching, learning, communication, and leadership — while keeping student welfare at the center of every technology decision.
A July 2026 Bourbon & Business conversation with Tyler Wiltshire and Dakota Tate about what AI is, how quickly it is moving, and what business, education, and human-AI collaboration need from practical leaders.
Organizer fit
Organizers usually invite Chris when they need a practitioner’s view of AI, leadership, or responsible implementation — whether the room is education leaders, business executives, IT professionals, or civic organizations. The best fit is an audience that wants operating clarity more than keynote theater.
Dell Technologies World
Dell Technologies World draws tens of thousands of technology leaders, executives, and innovators to Las Vegas each year. Chris Chism has spoken there three times — on AI implementation, educational transformation, and the practical leadership decisions behind both.
Audience fit
Common topics
Formats
Selected appearances
Keynote at the Rankin County Team Ten Leadership Breakfast in Pearl, MS, discussing the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and how technology is reshaping education and business opportunities. Recognized by attendees as a national leader on AI and its ethical use in education.
Panel leader at the Southern Spark 2026 conference at Jackson State University, hosted by the Mississippi AI Collaborative. Highlighted Pearl Public School District's work building secure AI infrastructure — including a dedicated in-district AI server — to protect student and teacher data while making AI a foundational district skill.
Presented on practical applications of artificial intelligence at the Mississippi Business Alliance Manufacturers Council Summit, sharing insights on AI's growing role in business and everyday life with an audience of manufacturing and industry leaders.
Featured speaker at the Mississippi Society of CPAs' Business and Industry: Management Development Conference, presenting on practical AI applications to an audience of CFOs, controllers, executives, and public accounting partners. One of more than 260 presentations Chris has delivered on AI across education, business, and industry.
A conversation with the Hangin With the AD podcast covering Chris's work in district leadership, AI in education, and the practical decisions facing school administrators.
Presented at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas — one of the largest education conferences in the country. Co-presented with Derek McCoy of the National Principals Association, sharing how Pearl Public School District has successfully integrated AI to streamline operations and boost educator efficiency. Attendees left with proven tools and systems to simplify their own workloads.
Delivered the keynote at the PREPS (Professional Research and Educational Practices in Schools) Conference and received the Hugh I. Peck Research Award from William Carey University, honoring exceptional leadership in promoting artificial intelligence in education through workshops, presentations, and evidence-based practice.
Presented on artificial intelligence and its intersection with advocacy for public education at a Mississippi Association of Educators gathering in Jackson Flowood. Attendees praised both the substance and the commitment to advancing Mississippi's public schools.
Presented to Central Mississippi Realtors members on artificial intelligence, giving attendees a first-class look at practical AI applications for the real estate industry. Members left energized enough to request deeper-dive and hands-on follow-up sessions.
A local news interview with WAPT 16 in Jackson, Mississippi covering Chris's work in AI implementation and district leadership at Pearl Public School District.
Presented on artificial intelligence to the Pearl Senior Center community, making AI accessible and relevant for older adults — covering practical everyday applications and how AI is shaping the world around them.
Presented on artificial intelligence to the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, sharing practical strategies for leveraging AI in communications, media relations, and professional practice.
Presented on practical applications of artificial intelligence to Mississippi Circuit Clerks, bringing AI strategies and implementation insights to the state's judicial administrative community.
Invited speaker before Mississippi's AI Regulation Task Force, advising state legislators on how AI is used by teachers and students in Pearl Public School District. Appeared alongside University of Florida professor Sid Dobrin — both of whom had recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The panel counseled the legislature to hold off on broad AI regulation to avoid stifling innovation.
Delivered the opening general session keynote at the Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals Summer Conference, then led a follow-up breakout session on practical AI implementation. Spoke to an audience of school administrators and principals across the state, sharing how Pearl Public School District is harnessing AI to drive educator efficiency and student outcomes.
Invited to present on artificial intelligence to Rankin County judges and courthouse staff, bringing practical AI strategies to the local judicial community.
Presented alongside Pearl Public School District teacher Heather Westerfield at the Mississippi School Boards Association Conference, exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. A superintendent-teacher team demonstration of how Pearl PSD is putting AI to work in classrooms today.
Official witness appearance for the April 1, 2025 House hearing on AI in K-12 education.
Presented on artificial intelligence to the Rankin County Rotary Club — donating the full proceeds to the Pearl Public School District Foundation. The presentation raised $1,100 for student scholarships, presented by Rotary to the PPSD Foundation at the April 22 board meeting. Hosted at Community Bank headquarters.
Keynote speaker at the Arkansas School Boards Association Annual Conference, delivering the message that AI is too powerful and inevitable to avoid — schools must teach students to use it correctly and ethically. Featured on the cover of ASBA's Report Card journal under the headline 'A.I. is coming like a train.' "This is the new industrial revolution. It is. It's going to change everything that we know and do."
Led a professional development session for South Panola School District administrators on artificial intelligence in education, covering practical applications from personalized learning to improving operational efficiency.
Guest on the Bourbon and Business Podcast with hosts Tyler Wiltshire, Dakota Tate, and Adam Horlock — sharing his personal story, leadership journey, and how Pearl Public School District is embracing artificial intelligence in the classroom. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
Presented on practical applications of artificial intelligence for athletic departments at the Mississippi Athletic Administrators Association conference on the Gulf Coast. Positioned Pearl Public School District as an innovator sharing proven AI strategies across Mississippi school districts.
Presented to Mississippi Senators on effective ways to use AI technology in their legislative work. Went further than a standard presentation — built customized GPT tools tailored to legislators' specific workflows and processes, giving Mississippi's Senate a practical, ready-to-use AI toolkit.
Led a district-wide professional development session for Oxford School District staff on artificial intelligence, sharing insights and practical strategies for harnessing AI to enhance instruction and better serve students.
Public webinar focused on practical, day-to-day uses of AI for school leadership.
An online video discussion with TomoClub on AI in education, district leadership, and practical implementation — a companion to the published TomoClub interview on the same themes.
Featured speaker at the Mississippi Association of School Administrators Fall Leadership Conference, presenting on artificial intelligence and its practical applications in education. Presented as MPE Past-President and Superintendent of Pearl Public School District.
Featured speaker at the Mississippi School Boards Association's 2024 Southern Region Leadership Conference, presenting 'AI in the Classroom' to school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
A conversation with host John Perry on the Never Stop Getting Better Podcast about utilizing artificial intelligence and data-driven instruction to transform educational environments — and how Pearl Public School District is leading the way.
Featured speaker at the Mississippi Professional Educators Making Connections Conference in Biloxi, delivering a session on the future of artificial intelligence in education. Presented as MPE Past President and Superintendent of Pearl Public School District.
Radio conversation with Gerard Gibbert on Supertalk Mississippi covering AI in education, district leadership, and Chris's work implementing artificial intelligence across Pearl Public School District.
Special guest speaker for the Mississippi Department of Education's statewide AI webinar, sharing practical ways AI is already being harnessed to support productivity and learning in Pearl Public School District.
Presented 'Navigating AI in Education' at the National Association of Secondary School Principals Trailblazing Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Addressed an audience of state assistant principals of the year, students of the year, advisors of the year, and NASSP staff — demonstrating practical AI applications for educational leaders.
Featured speaker at the Pearl Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn, presenting on artificial intelligence adoption for local business and community leaders. The Chamber noted attendees were on the edge of their seats as Chris made the case for embracing AI now to stay competitive.
Presented on artificial intelligence and the latest developments in the field to the Pearl Kiwanis Club, updating members on the rapid changes in AI that had occurred in just the previous few months.
Featured speaker at the Rankin County Kiwanis Club, presenting on artificial intelligence and its growing role in education and community life.
WJTV 12 news segment on how Pearl Public School District is leading the way in AI adoption, featuring Chris Chism's work bringing artificial intelligence tools into classrooms and district operations.
Presented on artificial intelligence to the Rotary Club of South Rankin County. Also donated personally to the club's 5th Annual Motor Madness Car Show, reflecting a commitment to community investment alongside professional engagement.
Supporting public record
Chris Chism was listed as a witness for the April 1, 2025 House hearing on artificial intelligence in K-12 education.
The hearing appearance is reflected in the official GovInfo congressional hearing record, giving the testimony a durable federal archive source.
Selected as the 2025-2026 Mississippi Superintendent of the Year, recognized for district leadership and public work in education. Congratulated by both MASA and the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS).
William Carey University reported the 2026 Hugh I. Peck Research Award and Chris's keynote role at the PREPS Conference.
A Mississippi PEER Committee report supports phrasing Chris's role as an invited education panelist before the AIR Task Force.
One of two Pearl Public School District representatives at a 50-state MIT gathering on AI policy, responsible implementation, and emerging educational technology. Toured MIT facilities and met with AI engineers exploring applications in education.
Elected President of Mississippi Professional Educators (MPE), the state's premier professional education association with over 13,500 members. Featured as MPE's New President on the cover of the MPE Journal, Spring 2023.
WLBT news coverage of AI adoption in Mississippi schools, positioning Pearl Public School District among districts actively shaping how technology enters the classroom.
Rankin County News profiles Chris as the central figure driving AI implementation across Pearl Public School District — the most direct local press coverage of the district's leadership work.
Regional education coverage of Mississippi's expanding AI programs in K-12 and higher education — places Pearl's district-level work inside a broader statewide leadership effort.
Education Week — the national record of K-12 education — covers how districts are approaching AI professional development. Pearl's teacher training work is part of the national landscape this piece examines.
Education Week examines how school leaders are using AI to reduce administrative overhead — the same operational shift Chris has driven inside Pearl Public School District.
National Principals Association coverage featuring Chris on AI in schools, tied to his 2026 SXSW EDU AI workshop with Derek McCoy and a call to vote for the org's 2027 SXSW EDU session proposals.
SW Rankin News covers Chris Chism and Pearl Public School District's leadership in AI integration — a follow-up to earlier coverage establishing the district as a model for practical AI adoption in Mississippi schools.
WLBT features Chris Chism and Pearl Public School District's AI adoption — over 100 training sessions, staff retooling, a district-built internal AI server for sensitive data, and curriculum redesigned around ethical AI use rather than outright bans.
Cover of the Arkansas School Boards Association's Report Card journal (Vol. 19, No. 1) following Chris's keynote at the ASBA Annual Conference. Featured with the headline 'A.I. is coming like a train' and a full-page portrait. The article calls his address 'A.I. the new Industrial Revolution.'
WAPT reporter Allie Ware covers Pearl High School seniors navigating tradition and the rise of AI — positioning Pearl Public School District at the leading edge of how Mississippi schools are integrating artificial intelligence into student life.
Selected as a 2020 Practitioner of Distinction by the University of Mississippi School of Education, recognizing outstanding alumni whose careers demonstrate excellence in educational practice. Chris holds an M.Ed. from Ole Miss (2011) and was recognized as Principal of Pearl High School and 2018 Mississippi State Administrator of the Year.
Organizer-ready short bio
Chris Chism is superintendent of Pearl Public School District, co-founder of AscendEd Intelligence, and the 2025-2026 Mississippi Superintendent of the Year. He has delivered 290 presentations across 19 states to audiences including K-12 leaders, IT professionals, judges, CPAs, engineers, architects, and business executives — keynotes run 60–90 minutes, trainings 2–6 hours, every format built to fit the room. He testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 1, 2025 and received the 2026 Hugh I. Peck Research Award from William Carey University.
Inquiry handoff
For speaking or media inquiries, the useful first note is simple: audience, date, format, location, and the decision you need the session to help people make.