Call for Participation

We are interested in submissions at the intersection of AI, network fragmentation and the movement of information online. While this is broad in general, we are looking for more than AI-based solutions: we are particularly interested in direct work on AI and network fragmentation, including access to information.

We are open to submissions across the following four areas:

1. AI and Network Control
   Area 1 looks for submissions on how AI and machine learning are changing censorship, surveillance and network-management systems.
   
   Proposals under Area 1 may address:
   • How do these technologies affect, automate or accelerate deep packet inspection, traffic classification, content filtering and enforcement? This can be theoretical or already happening.
   • What new capabilities do they enable, and for whom? What new dependencies do they create?
   • Most importantly, what new opportunities do they create for circumvention and for the protection of digital rights?
   • “Sovereign AI” projects, national large language models and the export of AI-enabled control technologies.
     
     We welcome empirical research, technical analysis, measurement studies and case studies examining these developments.
     
2. AI and Access to Information
   
   The splinternet is not only about infrastructure. The way readers explore content is shifting towards an AI-mediated future. We no longer simply open a website or an article; we ask a chatbot, and the system summarizes two articles, ten, or a hundred.
   
   Area 2 seeks submissions that investigate the following questions:
   • What happens when AI becomes an intermediary between individuals and information, and the reader no longer has a direct connection to the source?
   • How do censorship, training data, model design, localization and platform policies shape engagement, from slight bias to outright suppression of information?
     
     We are interested in research and practical experience examining provenance, trust, information integrity, linguistic and geographic disparities, and access to verifiable information within AI-mediated systems.
     
3. AI in Controlled and Fragmented Networks
   
   Area 3 focuses on environments where fragmentation is already underway: regions and communities facing censorship, shutdowns, and national or isolated networks.
   
   Submissions can address issues including:
   • How do models operate and can they operate in disconnected (or intermittently connected) environments, and can they do so effectively and safely?
   • Can local and open models offer new forms of information resilience?
   • What are the risks and opportunities when governments limit access to models, manipulate their information environment, or deploy their own alternatives?
   • Fragmentation of the AI stack itself: hardware and compute capacity, training data, model access, sanctions and export controls.
   • What are the risks or opportunities when governments limit access to models, manipulate their information environment, or deploy their own alternatives?
     
     We welcome work that examines both the possibilities and the limitations of AI in these environments.
     
4. Resilient Technologies for the Splinternet
   
   SplinterCon’s core focus remains communication with and within fragmented and isolated networks.
   
   With this in mind, we also welcome work on censorship circumvention, decentralized and peer-to-peer systems, wireless connectivity, network measurement, privacy-enhancing technologies, resilient hosting and content distribution, protocol obfuscation, alternative communications infrastructure, and other approaches to maintaining access to information under adverse network conditions.
   
   Submissions under Area 4 do not need to include AI. They should, however, be grounded in practical technologies, original research, or lessons from communities directly experiencing internet shutdowns, censorship and network isolation.
   

1. Research Papers: Research papers should explore new ideas, provide empirical data, or present theoretical contributions. We accept the following types of research submissions:
   • Policy papers: Submissions that focus on policy issues, offering detailed analysis and recommendations. These papers should engage with current debates on Internet governance, socio-technical challenges, or digital sovereignty, and propose actionable policy solutions.
   • Works in progress:Research or projects still under development. These submissions should demonstrate clear goals, hypotheses, and potential for future contributions, even if conclusive results are not yet available.
   • Position papers:Opinion pieces or argumentative submissions that advocate for specific viewpoints or propose innovative solutions. Position papers should be provocative, well-reasoned, and designed to stimulate discussion and debate.
2. Technology Showcase: Interactive sessions that demonstrate working technologies or prototypes. These should showcase innovative solutions related to the conference themes and allow participants to engage directly with the technology. 
3. Testimonies and Case Studies: We encourage submissions that highlight real-world experiences, particularly from regions or communities impacted by digital isolation or network shutdowns:
   • Testimonies from Countries Affected by Network Shutdowns and Isolation:First-hand accounts or case studies from individuals, organizations, or communities impacted by network shutdowns or digital isolation. These submissions should offer valuable on-the-ground perspectives that highlight the human, political, or technical dimensions of these crises.
   • Awareness-Raising and Capacity-Building Workshops:Practical workshops aimed at building skills or raising awareness around the conference’s core themes. Workshops should offer clear learning outcomes and be designed to increase participants’ understanding or capabilities in relevant areas.

When submitting your paper, please indicate the format in which you plan to present:

• Technology Showcase (30 minutes):Hands-on, interactive demonstrations of innovative technologies or prototypes. These sessions are designed to allow participants to engage directly with the technology in an open marketplace format.
• Lightning Talk (15 minutes): Short, focused presentations that provide key insights or findings in a concise format. Ideal for sharing emerging ideas, theories, or initial results.
• Keynote (30 minutes): More detailed explorations of research, case studies, or technologies. These presentations should provide deeper analysis and more comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.
• Exhibit (custom): If you have a live product demo or an art installation, you can select a day and time to present it in the conference’s exhibition space. Continuos installations are encouraged for exhibits that can run unattended.

Ensure that your submission aligns with the categories listed above and fits within the thematic focus of the conference. Submissions will be evaluated based on relevance, originality, technical quality, and potential social or technical impact by the Advisory Council.

AI Policy

As part of this proposal process, we ask that you not use artificial intelligence in the drafting of your submission. Of course, if you’d like to use AI to edit and check for typos, we understand. Our goal is to have an event where those who present are fully responsible for the thinking and the content that they bring to advance the discussion. Your passion, your creativity, your rigor, your care are what makes SplinterCon meaningful.

Due dates

Submission deadline: October 30, 2026
Author notification: on a rolling basis beginning October 16th until November 23rd, 2026