Wednesday, October 21 · The Ferris, IL
Three featured debates on AI. Invited academics and public intellectuals make their case. You judge the arguments, then keep the conversation going over pizza and beer at The Ferris.
Tickets on sale Monday, September 7 · 200 seats
Good company. Better questions.01 / The atmosphere
A different kind of night out
The best conversations deserve more than a comment section.
Bring a friend, meet someone who sees things differently, and stay for the conversations that continue after the microphones switch off.
At The Ferris, a room full of strangers becomes a room full of possibilities. Come curious. Leave with something to talk about.
See how the evening unfolds
Featured debates
Three full-length debates with invited speakers. Hear each side make its case, then cast your verdict.
Two more AI motions and the speaker lineup will be published here as they are confirmed.
Flagship motion · 8:10 PM
An extended debate followed by audience Q&A.
200 seats. One shared experience.
Tickets go on sale Monday, September 7. Join the list for updates; your seat is confirmed only after checkout.
$20
First 50 tickets, every curated debate, audience judging, pizza and beer, and the reception
$30
Every curated debate, audience judging, pizza and beer, and the reception
$50
All of general admission, a special shout-out, and support for debate in Chicago
The running order
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
All times PM · Chicago
Check-in, pizza and beer, networking
Curated AI debate with audience judging
Several quick lightning debates, audience judged
Curated AI debate with audience judging
Pizza, beer, and networking
Extended debate and audience Q&A
Meet the debaters, sponsors, and fellow attendees
Audience-picked mini debates
Choose the lighter, quick-fire debates between main-stage sessions. Suggest a question or back one below. This ballot is for mini debates only; the featured program is set separately.
One vote per topic. Support as many as you like, or remove your vote. Organizers review suggestions and choose the final lineup.
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Be part of it
$20 · open to all
Every curated debate, audience judging, pizza and beer, and the closing reception.
Get ticket updatesPackages open
Put your name on the night Chicago starts arguing better. Sponsors keep the evening independent and the production sharp.
Become a sponsorNo experience needed
Audience judging runs all night. Suggest a topic, score the debates live, help crown the winners.
Join the audience listTickets go on sale Monday, September 7. Leave your details for ticket updates. Signing up does not reserve a seat or charge you.
Home base
The Ferris is now home to real debate in Chicago. This AI-focused founder club and coworking space is our new base in the city, and this night opens a partnership built to keep the room going well past one evening.
Partners
Put your name on the night Chicago starts arguing better. Sponsors keep the evening independent and the production sharp. Sponsorship packages are open now.
Our event partners
Good to know
Keep going
Structured debates on the ideas that matter most. Watch the arguments, then score who makes the stronger case.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
200 tickets. Join the list for updates before sales open Monday, September 7.
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