Must-See AI Events at Startup Boston Week

AI is showing up in every part of the startup world lately - and for good reason. Used well, it can help you move faster, cut costs, and focus on the work that really matters. For founders and early employees juggling countless responsibilities, using AI to streamline repetitive tasks or enhance decision-making can be a game changer.

But with all the noise, it can be tough to know where to start, and how to separate hype from real impact.

Fortunately, Startup Boston Week is offering a wide range of AI-focused sessions across its tracks, helping you explore how this fast-moving technology can work for your startup. Whether you’re a founder, product lead, marketer, or engineer, there's a session that fits your needs.

Explore all AI sessions by clicking “Topic” and selecting “AI.” Check it out here.

Here’s your guide to the AI-themed events happening throughout the week:

Tech-Savvy Without the Code: Building a Startup as a Non-technical Founder

Date: Monday, September 8 from 9:30am - 10:30am | View Session 

If you're building a startup without a technical background, this session explores AI and automation tools that can drive early momentum. You’ll also learn how to evaluate privacy and data ownership when using AI, which is critical as you grow.

Get Hands-On with Agentic AI: Build Your Autonomous System

Date: Tuesday, September 9 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm | View Session 

A highly practical workshop where you’ll build your own AI agent prototype. If you’ve been curious about agentic AI, this is your chance to dive in.

Engineering with Guardrails: Innovating in Regulated Spaces

Date: Tuesday, September 9 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm | View Session 

Hear how to build for scale and compliance. Just because regulations around AI are currently loose doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way—especially as you expand into new markets. This session covers how to future-proof your architecture for data, security, and AI governance.

Closing the Gap: Recruiting and Upskilling for AI Success

Date: Tuesday, September 9 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm | View Session 

As engineering teams weigh when to build AI internally versus using off-the-shelf tools, this session digs into how to align technical and human talent for long-term success.

AI at the Helm: Prototyping Smarter as a Product Manager

Date: Wednesday, September 10 from 11:00am - 12:00pm | View Session 

Resources can be tight in the early days of a startup. If you're working without a dedicated engineering team, this session will explore effective AI tools to help you prototype product solutions before bringing in developers.

AI in Sales: The New Playbook for Startups

Date: Wednesday, September 10 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm | View Session 

Sales still depends on relationships, but AI can automate repetitive tasks and provide data-backed insights to free up more time for human connection. This session covers what to use (and what not to use) when implementing AI in your sales process.

Data Fortified: Building Rock-Solid AI Foundations

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 9:30am - 10:30am | View Session 

Understand how to build secure, compliant, and scalable AI systems that stand up to the scrutiny from both regulators and your customers.

Data Gold Rush: Mastering Acquisition and Annotation for AI Success

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 11:00am - 12:00pm | View Session 

Garbage in = garbage out. The quality of your AI is only as good as your data. Learn best practices for sourcing and leveraging data effectively.

AI Your Way to the Top: Smart Tools to Launch, Scale, and Automate

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm | View Session 

AI can be a powerful sidekick as you build your business. Whether you're brainstorming names, designing a brand, creating content, or looking to streamline operations, this session offers a practical overview of the tools that can help you launch, grow, and automate, without needing a huge team or budget.

LLMOPS on a Shoestring: Smart Scaling with Vendors, APIs, and Microservices

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm | View Session 

Building scalable LLM applications is expensive and complex. This session outlines strategies using third-party tools and microservices to keep costs low while maintaining performance.

AI in People Ops: How Startups Can Harness AI to Build and Support Sustainable Teams

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm | View Session 

While HR processes may never be fully automated, AI can streamline recruiting, improve onboarding, and support employee engagement. This session explores how startups can keep people at the center of their team-building strategy, while using AI to support—not replace—the human touch.

Standing Out in the AI Crowd: Strategies for Real Product Differentiation

Date: Thursday, September 11 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm | View Session 

These days, using AI isn’t enough to turn heads. This session explores what truly sets AI-powered products apart, from delivering real user value to carving out a competitive edge in a crowded market.

AI Gold Rush or Bubble? Investing in AI in 2026

Date: Friday, September 12 from 9:30am - 10:30am | View Session 

With AI saturating the investment landscape, this panel will help you cut through the hype. Learn how to ask the right questions when evaluating AI startups: Is it true AI or just a marketing spin? Is it generative AI or machine learning? What kind of data does it use? And how do current and future regulations play a role?

AI Agent Workshop: Create Your Custom Marketing Assistant Live

Date: Friday, September 12 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm | View Session 

AI can be a transformative growth tool when used alongside human intelligence. Build an AI agent modeled on your ideal customer profile, and explore prompting strategies to improve your marketing campaigns.

Stop Lurking, Start Launching: Let AI Supercharge Your LinkedIn for Growth & Funding

Date: Friday, September 12 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm | View Session 

LinkedIn is a key platform for connecting with customers, investors, advisors and strategic partners, making it well worth your time to maximize your presence and engagement. This session helps you build an AI agent that captures your voice and creates content to boost your visibility. Think of it as an assistant to overcome blank-page syndrome or a proofreader that supports your writing, so your content stays authentic and truly sounds like you.

Where AI Meets Ambition: Join Us at SBW 2025

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, chances are AI will be part of your journey. At Startup Boston Week 2025, our AI-focused sessions are your chance to learn from the pros, sharpen your skills, and discover the tools shaping the future of startups.

Don’t miss out - register now for free and join us this September. See you there!

About the author: Kaitlyn Shevlin is a Business Analyst at Stratyfy, a startup offering transparent and interpretable AI solutions that help financial institutions make better-informed decisions in credit risk, fraud prevention, and compliance.