Wednesday, October 21
Three live debates on artificial intelligence and the future it is shaping. Join Chicago’s technology and intellectual communities for audience questions, live voting, and conversation over pizza and beer at The Ferris.
Conversation beyond the stageEvent atmosphere · illustration
A different kind of night out
Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, create and live.
Bring a friend, meet someone who sees things differently, and stay for the conversations that continue after the microphones switch off.
The evening brings together people with different experiences and perspectives, with time between the debates and at the reception to get to know one another.
See how the evening unfolds
Featured debates
Three full-length debates with invited speakers. Hear each side make its case, then cast your verdict.
The first two questions are confirmed below. The third will be published when it is locked.
The featured questions
Every debate includes audience questions and a room-wide vote.
One night of live debate with Chicagoans who love a good argument
Available now
$20per person
Join us at the best available price.
Coming next
$30per person
The same evening, at the regular price.
Support the showcase
$50per person
The whole evening, with a little more recognition for making it possible.
Your ticket includes the curated debates, audience judging, pizza and beer, and the networking reception. Bringing a group? Email john@superdebate.org for a corporate group code.
The running order
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
All times PM · Chicago
Check-in, pizza and beer, networking
Resolved: AI undermines human moral agency more than it expands it.
Several quick lightning debates, audience judged
Topic announced soon · audience voting
Pizza, beer, and networking
Extended debate and audience Q&A
Meet the debaters, sponsors, and fellow attendees
The people in the room
All four Chicago Debate Showcase nights will have the SuperDebate team in the room. John will host, Matthew will MC, and Iain will moderate the featured debates.
Founder · Host
John founded SuperDebate to make rigorous, welcoming debate part of everyday life. He will host each Showcase evening.
Featured-debate moderator
Iain is a national champion debater and competition designer. He will moderate the featured debates and keep the room focused on the real clash.
MC · Live events
Matthew leads partnerships and live experiences. He will MC the evening, connect the program, and keep the energy moving between debates.
The community takes the floor
Chicago has plenty to talk about. Between the featured debates, we’ll make room for shorter conversations about our city and the way we live. Vote for a question you’d love to hear explored, or suggest your own.
Support as many topics as you like. The organizers will shape the final selection from your votes and suggestions.
Loading topic ballot…
Be part of it
$20 · open to all
Every curated debate, audience judging, pizza and beer, and the closing reception.
Get ticketsPackages open
Support an evening that brings Chicago’s technology, business and intellectual communities together. Explore partnership opportunities for your organization.
Sponsor the nightNo experience needed
Bring your questions and take part in live audience voting. No debate experience is needed.
Get tickets and judgeYou can check out as a guest. After successful checkout, your ticket page confirms your booking and we email your confirmation and private ticket link.
Home base
The Ferris is SuperDebate’s Chicago home: Ferris & Co. is a members club for founders at 1 W. Monroe, built for focused work, wellness, and connection. Members pair the space with Ferris AI for routine work and a community of founders, operators, researchers, and AI builders.
Beyond the showcase
Chicago Debate Club hosts regular debates and conversation.
Find the next gathering and see how to join.
The Chicago series
The Chicago Debate Showcase is a recurring series at The Ferris. All four dates are on the calendar; each edition's question is announced as the program comes together.
No. 1
This eventWednesday, October 21, 2026
The Ferris
Three live debates, audience questions, voting, and conversation with the room.
Get ticketsNo. 2
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
The Ferris
The date and venue are set. The debate question will be announced closer to the night.
View No. 2No. 3
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
The Ferris
The date and venue are set. The debate question will be announced closer to the night.
View No. 3No. 4
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
The Ferris
The date and venue are set. The debate question will be announced closer to the night.
View No. 4Partners
Put your organization in a room with Chicago founders, technologists, and independent thinkers. We shape a visible role in the evening, the room, and the story people share afterward.
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
Join us at The Ferris for the Chicago Debate Showcase.
Get tickets · $20
