AI and the Future of Education (AIFE) Yokohama 2026
Yokohama International School is pleased to host AI and the Future of Education (AIFE) Yokohama 2026, a two-day conference designed for educators, school leaders, researchers, and innovators exploring how AI is reshaping learning, teaching, and school systems.
Taking place on April 11–12, 2026, at Yokohama International School in Yokohama, Japan, AIFE brings together practical classroom strategies and big-picture thinking—so participants leave with concrete approaches they can apply immediately, alongside sharper questions for long-term planning.
Why AIFE?
AI capabilities are moving quickly, and schools are being asked to respond just as quickly—while protecting student wellbeing, data privacy, and equity. For educators and leaders, the work is both technical and human: building AI literacy, making careful decisions about tools and policies, and maintaining learning environments where relationships and judgment still matter.
AIFE Yokohama creates space for grounded, practice-based dialogue across roles and contexts. The conference theme—Rethinking Thinking & Evolving Literacies—centers on what students and educators need to learn, unlearn, and strengthen as AI becomes a persistent part of the learning landscape.
About the conference
AIFE Yokohama 2026 features hands-on workshops, panels, and facilitated sessions that connect classroom practice to school-wide strategy. The conference includes a wide range of session types, including model lessons, tool showcases, research sharing, and collaborative formats that support problem-solving and design thinking.
2026 Keynote Speakers
- Warren Apel — Director of Technology, The American School in Japan
- Ross Parker — Deputy Head of School, ICHK Secondary
Conference themes
By exploring these themes, participants gain practical strategies for responsible AI integration and clearer frameworks for decision-making in fast-changing conditions.
- Transformative Teaching with AI (instructional design, engagement, intelligent tutoring)
- Personalization and Differentiation (resources, supports, accessibility)
- Ethical Considerations and Equity (bias, fair access, data privacy, student security)
- AI for Assessment and Evaluation (feedback systems, formative/summative applications, analytics)
- Research, Case Studies, and Real-World Implementations (school examples, collaborative projects, research findings)
- Future Trends and Innovations (emerging tools, VR/AR, future-of-work implications)
- Building AI Literacy (educator training, curriculum integration, student learning experiences)
- Collaboration Between Stakeholders (schools, EdTech partners, NGOs, parent communities)
Pre-conference workshop
Practical AI Integration for Educators takes place on April 10, 2026 (Friday). This pre-conference option is designed to deepen hands-on capacity with tools, lesson design, and implementation planning—ideal for participants who want extra time to build practical fluency before the main conference.
Sessions and formats
AIFE Yokohama includes 30+ sessions across multiple strands. Examples of session topics include:
- AI in Action: Practical Strategies for Educators and Students
- Bias and Information Literacy with LLMs and AI Agents
- Trust First: Guiding Students Toward Ethical Generative AI Use
- AI and the Law: What Educators Need to Know
- Building Student Agency in AI-Assisted Learning
- AI as a Speaking Partner: Oral Practice in the Language Classroom
- Hacking Inclusion: AI Solutions for Students with Disabilities
- Using AI to Review Curriculum
Types of sessions
- Workshop — 60-minute session with clear learning goals and interactive activities
- Toolbox Share — practical tool demo with affordances and constraints
- Research Sharing — research-informed insights and findings
- Model Lesson — educators experience a lesson using a tool or workflow
- Think Tank — facilitated conversation around a policy or problem of practice
- Imagine! — protocols that support future-focused thinking and design
- Hackathon — collaborative ideation and rapid development
- Book Talk — facilitated exchange of ideas and resources
Who should attend?
AIFE Yokohama is built for participants who want actionable approaches, clearer frameworks, and strong peer dialogue.
- K–12 Educators — teachers building classroom practice with AI
- K–12 Tech Leaders & Innovators — those leading responsible deployment across schools
- Academics — researchers contributing evidence and thought leadership
- Makers — startups and EdTech teams building next-generation tools (exhibition/presentation opportunities)
Why attend
- Practical strategies for AI integration in K–12 contexts
- Real-world examples of AI in classrooms and school systems
- Clearer understanding of benefits, risks, and constraints
- Takeaways ready for near-term application
- Networking and collaboration with peers and experts
Ticket types and pricing
Ticket prices are in USD and are subject to a 4% registration fee.
| Ticket type | Dates | Early Bird (on or before 30 Jan 2026) |
Regular (on or before 6 Mar 2026) |
Last Minute (after 6 Mar 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIFE Main Conference | April 11–12 (Sat–Sun) | $425 | $475 | $525 |
| Pre-conference Only: Practical AI Integration for Educators | April 10 (Fri) | $225 | $250 | $350 |
| Combo Ticket: Pre-conference + Main Conference | April 10–12 (Fri–Sun) | $550 | $625 | $775 |
Group discounts
- Main Conference: $50 off per person for groups of 5–9; additional $50 off per person for groups of 10+; additional $50 off per person for groups of 20+
- Main Conference + Pre-conference: $25 off per person for groups of 5–9; additional $25 off per person for groups of 10+; additional $25 off per person for groups of 20+
Learn more and register
Dates: April 11–12, 2026
Pre-conference: April 10, 2026
Venue: Yokohama International School, Yokohama, Japan
Accommodation
Yokohama offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and travel preferences. Below is a selection of hotels that are within a reasonable commute to Yokohama International School.
Please note that the hotels listed below have not been vetted by the school, and Yokohama International School has no affiliation with any of them. We recommend checking recent reviews on independent travel websites and conducting your own research before making a booking.
Hotels within easy commuting distance
- Oakwood Suites Yokohama (Serviced Apartments)
Approx. 30-minute bus ride to YIS - Hotel New Grand
Approx. 20-minute bus ride to YIS - Rose Hotel Yokohama
Approx. 25-minute bus ride to YIS - The Westin Yokohama
Approx. 40-minute bus ride to YIS - Richmond Hotel Bashamichi
Approx. 30-minute bus ride to YIS - Hotel JAL City Kannai
Approx. 25-minute bus ride to YIS - Yokohama Royal Park Hotel
Approx. 35-minute bus ride to YIS - Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu
Approx. 40-minute bus ride to YIS - InterContinental Yokohama Grand (Pacifico)
Approx. 45-minute bus ride to YIS
Getting to Yokohama
Yokohama is easily accessible from both Haneda and Narita International Airports via Japan’s extensive public transportation network.
- From Haneda International Airport:
Please click here for step-by-step instructions. - From Narita International Airport:
Please click here for step-by-step instructions.
You may also use the “File” menu to download a PDF copy of this guide or save it to your own Google Drive for easy reference.
Getting to YIS from Yokohama, Minatomirai, and Tokyo
Japan is known for its efficient and reliable public transportation system. Yokohama International School is served by multiple public bus routes that connect smoothly with nearby train stations, providing convenient access from central Yokohama, Minatomirai, and Tokyo.
Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line offers a direct Limited Express connection to Shibuya in under 35 minutes, making travel from Tokyo straightforward.
Details on the main transportation options are outlined below.
Traveling by Train
Minatomirai / Tokyu Toyoko Line
The Minatomirai Line connects directly with the Tokyu Toyoko Line, running from Shibuya Station through Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai Station. The journey from Shibuya to Motomachi-Chukagai takes approximately 35 minutes by Limited Express. This route is particularly convenient for those staying in areas such as Shibuya, Ebisu, Hiroo, Roppongi, Jiyugaoka, and Denenchofu. (See route map here.)
For travel to YIS:
- Alight at Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Exit 4)
- From the Yamashita-cho bus stop, take bus #8 or #58 to the Kominato bus stop
JR Negishi Line / Keihin-Tohoku Line
The JR Keihin-Tohoku Line runs from Omiya through Tokyo and Yokohama to Ofuna Station. South of Yokohama, this line is also referred to as the Negishi Line. (See JR route map here.)
Travelers coming from Tokyo or Kawasaki may either:
- Transfer at Yokohama Station to the Minatomirai Line, or
- Continue directly to Negishi Station
From Negishi Station:
- Take bus #58 or #101 to the Honmoku-Miyabara bus stop
Traveling by Public Bus
Several public bus routes provide direct access to the school:
- From Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Yamashita-cho bus stop):
Bus #8 or #58 → Kominato bus stop - From Sakuragicho Station or Ishikawacho Station:
Bus #101, #105, or #106 → Kominato-cho bus stop - From Negishi Station:
Bus #58 or #101 → Honmoku-Miyabara bus stop
Bus stop locations near the campus are shown on the map below. For additional route details, please visit the Yokohama City Transportation Department website.
Driving to YIS
Parking on campus is limited. If you require parking at Yokohama International School, please contact us in advance by phone or email.
Additional parking is available at Honmoku Front (Sanwa), the shopping complex located next to the campus. This facility offers multi-level covered parking at reasonable rates. Parking fees for up to three hours can be redeemed with a purchase from participating retail outlets. Motorcycle and scooter parking is also available at this location.
Campus Map
Contact Us
Our normal operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. When school is not in session, please contact us by email or leave a voicemail message.
Address:
2-100-1 Kominato-cho, Naka-ku
Yokohama 231-0802, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)45-622-0084
Fax: +81 (0)45-621-0379
Email: yis@yis.ac.jp