If you are interested in organizing an invited track or session, please contact me at robinqiu@psu.edu. More information on invited track/session can be found here (https://icss2026.servicescienceglobal.org/calls/). Please be aware that China has launched the "Visa Free for a Short Stay" program (see the bottom of this message). You might not need a visa and be able to visit this beautiful city, Hangzhou, about 50 minutes away from Shanghai by the High-Speed Train.
2026 INFORMS Conference on Service Science
Weaving the World with Digitalization and AI
(Conference website http://icss2026.servicescienceglobal.org)
Welcome to Hangzhou: Where Ancient Charm Meets Digital Future
Hangzhou, revered for millennia as "paradise on earth" for its breathtaking scenery and cultural heritage, has masterfully woven its ancient charm with pioneering digital innovation. This city isn't just a picturesque destination; it's a pulsating nerve center for digitalization, making it the perfect host for the "Weaving the World with Digitalization and AI" conference.
As the birthplace of China's e-commerce revolution (Alibaba) and a global leader in AI-driven livestream commerce, Hangzhou showcases remarkable tech supremacy. This is fueled by cutting-edge AI research, fintech breakthroughs, and smart city initiatives. The city offers a globally coveted work-life balance: a dynamic nexus of high-tech innovation and algorithmic commerce, seamlessly integrated with serene natural landscapes like the iconic West Lake – itself now a showcase for AI-powered governance and sustainability.
Conference Scope and Theme
The 2026 INFORMS Conference on Service Science (ICSS2026) is dedicated to creating a high-quality program that brings together diverse participants. You'll have the chance to share your insights and experiences in Service Science and related Research, Education, and Applications. With the rapid acceleration of AI innovations, including generative models and agentic AI, we're seeing a profound digital transformation. This enables hyper-personalized services, autonomous decision-making systems, and hyperautomation across all facets of business and society. Digitalization and AI are set to redefine efficiency, innovation, and human-machine collaboration in both our workplaces and daily lives.
Abstract or Paper Submission/Areas of Interest
Abstracts or Papers are welcome in any area of Service Science Research and Applications including
but not limited to:
· Service Theories and Development; Service Research, Education, and Practice
· Service Management, Operations, Engineering, Design, Digitalization, and Marketing
· Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Data-driven Decision Making
· Smart Cities, IT and Service System Analytics, and Self-service Systems
· Public Service, Policy, Administration, Response, and Systems
· Smart and Intelligent Service, Healthcare Analytics, FinTech, Learning Analytics, and Others
· Systems Modeling, Management, and Simulation in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Others AI, Data analytics, and Data-driven Applications in Health, Energy, Finance, Transportation, Sport, Governmental/Public Services, etc.
Important Dates
· Oct. 31, 2025: Invited Track or Session Proposal due
· Mar. 15, 2026: Deadline for paper and abstract submission
· Apr. 15, 2026: Acceptance/Rejection notification
· May 15, 2026: Registration, final camera-ready papers and copyright transfer form
Visa Information
Please check out the following URL, citizens from many countries can enjoy this "Visa Free for a Short Stay" program: https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-visa-free-travel-policies-complete-guide/
Of course, you should contact Chinese Embassy in your country for the updates!
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Robin Qiu
Professor
Penn State
United States
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