Clark University, AWS Bring More Than 400 Leaders to Worcester for AI Agents Academy
By Jerry Filmore
WORCESTER, MA — More than 400 leaders from universities, healthcare organizations, foundations and nonprofit institutions gathered in downtown Worcester on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for a day focused on how artificial intelligence is beginning to change the way mission-driven organizations work.
The inaugural AI Agents Academy was convened by Clark University in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, according to information released by the university. Clark said participants represented more than 100 organizations from across the country.
The event brought advancement professionals, nonprofit executives, technology specialists and institutional decision-makers together for discussions about the use of AI agents in areas including fundraising, alumni engagement, communications, workflow automation and organizational operations.
According to Clark, the day included case studies, demonstrations and hands-on learning exercises. Sessions covered topics including human and AI organizational design, fundraising and advancement operations, governance, ethics, institutional risk and approaches organizations could consider when adopting AI systems.
Clark University President David Fithian told attendees that universities and nonprofits have both an opportunity and a responsibility to consider how artificial intelligence is introduced into their organizations.
“Universities and nonprofits have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to shape how artificial intelligence is adopted in ways that reinforce trust, human connection, and institutional values,” Fithian said in a statement provided by Clark.
Fithian said the academy was intended to give institutional leaders an opportunity to learn from one another and discuss practical approaches to AI adoption.
Speakers represented Clark University, Amazon Web Services, Quantiphi, Pomona College, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and Marts & Lundy, according to the university.
Clark said participants discussed examples of AI already being used in work traditionally handled by administrative, operational and research teams. The university said speakers also examined whether AI could lead organizations to rethink how teams are structured and how employees work alongside automated systems.
For Worcester, the event brought hundreds of institutional leaders from outside the city into the downtown area for a national discussion centered on a technology that is increasingly affecting workplaces, schools and nonprofit organizations.
The source material does not provide information about the academy’s economic impact on downtown Worcester, how many Worcester-based organizations participated, or whether local residents who were not affiliated with participating institutions attended.
The gathering also comes as Clark expands its own work around artificial intelligence. The university said the academy builds on research, executive education and other initiatives focused on responsible AI adoption in higher education.
The event followed the May 2026 publication of Becoming AI-Ready: Designing Future Nonprofit Teams by Clark University Press. The book was co-authored by Joe Manok, vice president for University Advancement at Clark and one of the academy’s organizers.
Clark reported that more than 650 professionals registered for the Aug. 18 academy, although more than 400 ultimately attended.
Organizers now plan to continue the effort beyond the one-day gathering. According to Clark, the AI Agents Academy is expected to develop into a year-round community with online programming during the year and an annual gathering at Clark University.
Specific dates, participation requirements and costs for future programming have not yet been provided in the source material.
Residents and organizations interested in following Clark University’s work and future announcements can learn more through the Clark University website.
🔎 W.U.W. Verification Box
• Project / Topic: Clark University and Amazon Web Services inaugural AI Agents Academy.
• Current Status: The inaugural academy was held Aug. 18, 2026, in downtown Worcester. Clark University says organizers plan to expand the initiative into a year-round community.
• Key Dates or Decisions: The first AI Agents Academy took place Aug. 18, 2026. Clark says future programming is expected to include online gatherings and an annual event at the university.
• Estimated Cost: The source material does not provide the cost of organizing the academy or the cost, if any, for participants.
• Timeline: More than 650 professionals registered for the inaugural event, and more than 400 attended. Future dates have not yet been released.
• Immediate Next Steps: Clark University says organizers plan to develop the academy into a continuing community focused on practical approaches to AI adoption.
• Primary Sources: Clark University press release concerning the Aug. 18, 2026 AI Agents Academy and statements attributed to Clark University President David Fithian.
• What We Do Not Yet Know: Clark has not provided future event dates, participation requirements, costs, the number of Worcester-based organizations represented, or the academy’s economic impact on downtown Worcester.
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