Arvind Rao, University of Michigan, and Xiaoyu Zhai, Facebook Artificial Intelligence Applied Research

In a historic first, JSM 2020 will be held August 2–6 virtually (i.e., in an online format) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights include the First-Time Attendee Orientation on Sunday, August 2, at 1:30 p.m. EDT for those new to JSM. There is also the Opening Mixer at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, where you’ll be shuffled into various “rooms” to meet up with longtime friends and make new ones.

The Virtual Mentoring Program will provide an opportunity for students and early-career attendees to gain advice from experienced colleagues. If you are interested in participating as a mentor or a mentee, you can complete the requisite application online.

The JSM program also consists of poster presentations, roundtable discussions, technical sessions, and countless other meetings and activities. Roundtable discussions, in particular, offer conversation about topics such as ethics, mentoring, academic careers, and data science. Because they are virtual this year, they are free but require an additional registration and have limited space. It is a good idea to sign up early.

Late-breaking sessions cover one or more technical, scientific, or policy-related topics that have arisen recently. This year’s topics include COVID-19, data science postsecondary education, and human trafficking.

For JSM details, visit the website or online program.