Wednesday, October 21
Two live debates and a Socratic dialogue 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.
37 seats leftDoors open in 4 days 7 hours
Conversation beyond the stage
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
The debates & the debaters
When AI creates and acts, what should remain in human hands? Two featured debates take on creativity, ownership and healthcare, and the night closes with a Socratic dialogue on thinking for ourselves.
Creativity & ownership · Confirmed debate
Resolved: When AI contributes creativity equivalent to that of a joint author or joint inventor, the resulting work or invention should not receive patent or copyright protection.
Meet the debaters
Healthcare AI · Confirmed debate
Resolved: Over the next decade, efforts to make AI use in healthcare safer should prioritize human oversight over technical safeguards.
Closing conversation · Socratic dialogue
When a machine can make a persuasive case for anything, how do we still think for ourselves?
Dr. Iain Lampert questions Northwestern cognitive scientist Steve Franconeri, whose lab studies how people see, reason with and argue about evidence. They explore why disagreements turn emotional so quickly, what mapping an argument reveals about how much we actually agree, and what changes when AI can write a convincing argument on demand. Then the room joins with questions.
Iain Lampert2026 IPDA season-long national champion; COO, ModernBrain
Steve FranconeriProfessor of Psychology and Director of the Cognitive Science Program, Northwestern UniversityOne night of live debate with Chicagoans who love a good argument
Available now
$30per person
The same evening, at the regular price.
Support the showcase
$60per 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
5:30 PM CDT – 9:30 PM CDT
Check-in, pizza and beer, networking
First main-stage debate, with audience questions and a room-wide vote
Several quick lightning debates, audience judged
Second main-stage debate, with audience questions and a room-wide vote
Pizza, beer, and networking
Dr. Iain Lampert in conversation with Steve Franconeri, then audience Q&A
Meet the speakers, 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.
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Be part of it
$30 · 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 returns to The Ferris on these dates. Each edition's question is announced as its program comes together.
No. 2
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
The Ferris
No. 3
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
The Ferris
No. 4
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
The Ferris
With thanks
Their support brings the debates to the stage and the conversation into the reception. Meet the organizations joining us on October 21.
Bring your organization into the next SuperDebate showcase.
Explore sponsorshipGood 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 in Chicago for the Chicago Debate Showcase.
Get tickets · $30
