On June 24, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, Kevin Hong (The MERL Tech Initiative and Columbia University) is facilitating AEA’s Summer Workshop, which will focus on practical frameworks for assessing AI tools based on performance, alignment with organizational values, risk, and real-world impact.

The AI landscape is crowded, fast-moving, and full of bold promises. And it is increasingly overwhelming to know which tool to use. For evaluators, the stakes of choosing the wrong tool go beyond lost productivity and raise ethical, professional and personal concerns. This hands-on workshop cuts through the hype by equipping participants with a practical framework for assessing AI tools on their own terms. We will examine what “performance” really means in the use of AI for evaluations, and how to weigh it against considerations of privacy, transparency, equity, and accountability. You’ll leave with concrete tools, hands-on experience, and greater confidence to choose AI tools that reflect who you are as a practitioner. This workshop is designed for those who have a basic understanding of how large language models work, have some experience and comfort with using them, and want to use AI responsibly.