As we continue to navigate a fast-changing world, shaped by unprecedented uncertainty and challenges, Statistics, Data Science, and AI: Enriching Society is both the theme of the 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings and a broader statement about the unique perspectives and solutions our discipline offers. It recognizes that the tools we use, the methodologies we develop, and the questions we ask are vital to navigating the challenges of our time. While we may not always be in the spotlight, the contributions of our discipline—from health care to climate science, from education to public policy—drive discovery and affect society. JSM is our opportunity to turn the spotlight on our work through technical presentations, collaborative sessions, and, importantly, by simply being present for one another.
Reflecting on what makes JSM so special, I see it’s not just the technical program, though it’s impressive every year. It’s the community that shows up. Whether you’re a student or an early-career member attending your first major conference or a longtime ASA member reconnecting with colleagues, there’s a spirit of shared purpose that energizes the whole meeting. We come together not just to share research but to build relationships, gain perspective, and recharge our sense of purpose.
This year, I especially encourage those who might feel disconnected or unsure to attend if they can. Yes, the science matters. But so do the coffee chats, the hallway conversations, and the chance to say, “I’m struggling” and hear someone say, “me too.” I believe we need to be an organization that is kind, in which people take care of one another and step up for one another because they can and because they know we are all better off when we are all, in fact, better off. And I want us to be an organization in which people are generous with one another, in which they recognize there are times all of us are going to be in need, in which all of us may stumble and fall but we support each other.
What to Expect at JSM 2025
JSM 2025 will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from August 2–7. And there’s something for everyone—whether you’re there for the science, the networking, or just to remember why you chose this profession in the first place. Once again, we are partnering with international film and broadcasting company WebsEdge to bring you JSM TV. You will be able to view JSM TV on screens throughout the convention center, in selected hotels, on the JSM 2025 website, on YouTube, and across social media platforms.
JSM will offer a rich lineup of sessions. These include technical sessions, panels on the future of statistical education, sessions on the technical advances in AI and machine learning, and sessions highlighting the intersection of statistics with public interest work. If you are like me, you are already exploring the program to plan your schedule. I always start with the late-breaking sessions, which are particularly timely and relevant: The DeepSeek and Recent Advancements in AI and The Impact of Presidential Actions on Statistical Practice. Also, my schedule continually includes at least one talk in an area I know nothing about; this is a great way to learn.
Honoring Those Who Came Before Us
JSM is also a time to remember and honor the people who shaped our profession. This year, there will be several memorial sessions in tribute to distinguished members, friends, and mentors we’ve lost.
One of these sessions—the Dr. P.K. Sen Memorial Session— is particularly meaningful to me. P.K. Sen was my professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His contributions to statistical theory were profound and far-reaching. But I remember most his kindness, care for students, encouragement, and the time he gave so generously. His class on large sample theory started at 8 a.m., and many students, including me, brought their breakfast. He smiled and told us, “Chew slowly.” I will be attending this session with deep appreciation for all he gave to our field and to me personally.
A Theme with Purpose
This year’s theme, Statistics, Data Science, and AI: Enriching Society, is more than a cluster of words. It reflects what I believe is our most urgent challenge and greatest opportunity to assert and demonstrate that what we do as statisticians is essential to building a better world.
AI is reshaping nearly every sector. As it does, we must make sure rigor, transparency, and fairness are not afterthoughts. These are statistical values. And they’re needed now more than ever. Our community has a key role to play in guiding how these technologies are developed, evaluated, and deployed. But to do that, we need to be at the table. That means stepping up not just in academic forums, but in industry, in policy circles, and in public conversations. JSM is one of those tables, and your voice matters there.
The ASA president’s invited speaker is Juan Lavista Ferres, corporate vice president and chief data scientist at Microsoft. He will give a talk exploring how cutting-edge AI technologies are not just enhancing existing applications but also pioneering new ways to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges—AI for good. It was tailored to the theme of JSM. My talk during the ASA President’s Address and Awards will focus on the impact of statistics, data science, and AI on modern society, along with my professional journey.
Community and Connection
Here are a few featured social events that can help make your conference experience more welcoming and enjoyable. These are open to all attendees and included in your registration fee:
- First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception, Sunday, August 3, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This is the perfect place for newcomers to get their bearings. You’ll hear about how to navigate JSM, how to get involved in the ASA, and how to make the most of your time at the conference. - Opening Mixer & Invited Poster Session, Sunday, August 3, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Westat and Two Sigma, this gathering in the EXPO kicks off the meeting with a chance to reconnect and enjoy some outstanding invited posters in a relaxed setting. - Student Mixer, Monday, August 4, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Eli Lilly & Company, this is a highlight for student attendees and an informal, high-energy event in which students can meet peers and future collaborators. - JSM Dance Party, Tuesday, August 5, 9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sponsored by BeOne Medicines USA and held right after the ASA President’s Address and Awards, this event is always a highlight, with cupcakes and a DJ to fuel your dancing and colleagues to share great energy.
In addition to these social gatherings, make sure to check out events hosted by ASA sections, chapters, and interest groups, as well as the partner societies and organizations. They are great places to connect. Don’t forget to take a turn around the EXPO. This year’s JSM Spotlight includes the opportunity to sample Nashville’s official candy, create a memory in the JSM photobooth, and update your headshot with a professional photoshoot in the JSM headshot lounge. And, of course, collect some great swag as you make connections by visiting the exhibitors.
Deep Gratitude
Organizing a conference as large and dynamic as JSM takes incredible dedication. I want to express my deep appreciation to Alexandra Schmidt of McGill University, who is serving as the JSM 2025 program committee chair, and to all the committee members for their tireless efforts. The thought, care, and hours they’ve invested in creating this program are a gift to our entire community.
An Invitation to Connect
So here is my invitation to each of you: If you’re able to attend JSM, please do. And when you’re there, make space not just for sessions and presentations, but for people. Say hello to someone you don’t know. Ask a student how their first JSM is going. Share a cup of coffee with an old friend. Listen. Encourage. Connect.
And if you can’t make it this year, know that you’re still part of this community. We’ll be thinking about you. In early fall, we are planning a virtual conference to highlight the compelling presentations from JSM and showcase the work of our community.
Let’s keep supporting each other in ways that remind us we are not alone and that the work we do and the way we show up for one another truly do enrich society.
Hang in there.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon at JSM.
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