April 27 – April 28, 2027 @ Irving Convention Center
Where Artificial Intelligence and Business Meet
Be the first to hear about 2027 conference announcements, speaker lineups, and early registration opportunities.
Hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber, this two-day conference will bring together a diverse set of more than 1,100 leaders, from executives to entrepreneurs, to hear about the latest trends and innovations in artificial intelligence.
The pace of change in AI is moving at a breathtaking speed. Learn about the latest applications in artificial intelligence - from generative AI, robotics, automation, and more.
Keynotes and breakout sessions will feature AI leaders from some of the largest companies who are on the cutting-edge of artificial intelligence. View the 2026 agenda and speakers.
Connect with business leaders from all types of industries and grow your network. Participate in Convergence Labs and Table Talks led by industry experts around key issues.
Explore the exhibit hall where companies will showcase the latest AI technologies and how you can leverage them in your business. Grow your brand visibility by sponsoring.
Hear from AI experts from Fortune 1000 companies, showcasing how they are applying artificial intelligence solutions to drive innovation and efficiency in their industries. The speakers will highlight real-world use cases and the measurable ROI they are achieving. April 27 and April 28
This half-day of activities will include small salon-style convenings, mini master classes, and other topic driven sessions facilitated by AI leaders from some of Dallas-Fort Worth's leading companies. April 27th
Come celebrate with us as we recognize the 2027 Dallas Innovates AI75 honorees. These are the visionaries, creators, and influencers fueling the growth of artificial intelligence in Dallas-Fort Worth. April 27th
The Startup Alley offers attendees the opportunity to see demos from Dallas-Fort Worth AI startups, curated by area venture capital firms. April 28th
SPONSOR OR EXHIBIT
Build brand recognition, provide thought leadership, and grow your business. Join us as a sponsor or exhibitor and elevate your experience. For more information contact us:
COST PLUS DRUGS
Co-Founder
Mark Cuban, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, a graduate of Indiana University, and now a Dallas, TX resident has always been an entrepreneur. From selling and trading baseball cards, selling garbage bags and magazines door-to-door, to starting a business buying and selling stamps at age 16, there have been few years in his life when he wasn’t starting or running a business. After graduating from IU, a friend suggested he come to Dallas. Off Mark went to live in “The Village” with five roommates, getting only the floor in the corner of a bedroom as his new “home.” Starting as a bartender, he was not there long before he got a job at one of Dallas’ first retail software stores, Your Business Software. He spent nine months doing everything from learning how to code, supporting and installing every type of business software and of course, making sure the store opened on time. That went well until he made the executive decision to turn over the store opening duties to a peer so he could pick up a check for a sale. He was fired. Mark decided it was time to start on his own, the next day, MicroSolutions was founded… With no money and still sleeping on the floor, Mark was relentless until he found his first customer, Architectural Lighting, who fronted him the money for the software they needed. That advance was all Mark needed. Over the next seven vacationless years, MicroSolutions became a national leader in Systems Integration and custom applications for local and wide area networks, making it near the top of LAN Magazine’s LAN 100. Growing to 80 employees, never having a losing month of operations and nearly $36M in annualized sales, in 1990, MicroSolutions was sold to CompuServe, a subsidiary of H&R Block for $6M. At that point Mark “retired ” to investing in public and private companies. His knowledge of the networking industry led to success and brought returns of 80 percent and more each year. He used that track record to briefly build a hedge fund, for which he got an offer he couldn’t refuse and sold within 12 months. After a brief stint in LA to have fun taking acting classes and doing fortunately long-forgotten commercials and B movies, he returned to Dallas. During a lunch with a college friend, Todd Wagner, they discussed how they might use “this new thing called the internet” to listen to broadcasts of IU basketball games in Dallas–at that time, an impossibility. Using his knowledge of networking and Todd’s extensive background on law and business, they started Audionet.com, the first commercial streaming company in the world. AudioNet grew quickly and soon became Broadcast.com, adding video and much more, going public in July 1998 with what would be the largest first day jump in share valuation in the history of the stock market! Broadcast.com was the largest multimedia site on the internet, without a close second. After being pursued by multiple possible acquisitors, Broadcast.com was sold for $5.7B in stock to Yahoo Inc. Once the deal closed, Mark became concerned that the internet stock boom could become a bust, so he hedged his stock, putting on a long short collar that would go on to be called “one of the top 10 stock market trades of all time.” It was at the same time Mark purchased the Dallas Mavericks for $285M. The Mavs would have the second-best record in the NBA during his ownership tenure, got to the NBA Finals in 2006, and won the World Championship in 2011. Mark changed the nature of ownership of a professional team. He sat with fans. He took a vocal stand on officiating, getting fined millions of dollars. He also led to significant changes in how teams were operated. He was the first to bring in Player Development coaches. At the time he was criticized, but it is now done by every team. He had the NBA change the clear path rule to 2 shots and the ball after showing the league the math behind the incentives to foul. He added mics to the rim of the American Airlines Center, expanded in arena entertainment and fan engagement. He considers his greatest failure during his tenure as Governor of the Mavs to be his inability to help the NBA improve the officiating, despite spending more than $3M in fines. Mark sold majority control of the Mavs in 2023, but continues to be actively involved with the team. In addition to the Mavs, Mark continued to be active as an entrepreneur and investor. Along with Phil Garvin, in 2001, they started HDNet and HDNet Movies, the world’s first all High-Definition TV network. That started the path for Todd Wagner and Mark to focus on building the first fully integrated media and entertainment company. Adding Landmark Theaters, starting 2929 Productions, HDNet Films and Magnolia Pictures, Todd and Mark set a new entertainment path. The first movie Mark personally greenlit, in 12 minutes, all via email, was “Enron: The Smartest Guys In the Room.” It went on to be nominated for an Academy Award. The next movie, from 2929 Productions, was “Good Night and Good Luck,” nominated for six Academy Awards. Mark and Todd teamed to create a variety of firsts: the first movie released on TV, theaters, and on DVD, came from 2929 Productions, as were the first movies released to hotels branded as “While in Theaters.” Landmark Theaters was sold in 2019, HDNet not long after. Magnolia Pictures and 2929 continue to thrive. Mark’s accomplishments extended to other areas as well. He first appeared as a “Shark” on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit business show “Shark Tank” in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular and tough Sharks throughout his tenure, investing millions of dollars in hundreds of small businesses. He’s been nominated nine times for an Emmy for “Shark Tank,” which includes four times for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Competition Program and won the Emmy as an Executive Producer in 2024 for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The vast number of companies he’s invested in are featured on www.markcubancompanies.com. His last appearance on the program will be during season 16 in May 2025. In 2015, in response to vestibular issues he was experiencing, he partnered with the doctors who currently operate DizzyAndVertigo.com to integrate Vestibular Rehabilitation software and VR Goggles to create a solution that offers an alternative to special devices that cost $190K. The solution continues to be used and has helped thousands of people get relief from dizziness. In 2019, Mark co-founded Costplusdrugs.com. Its launch on Jan 19, 2022, with transparent pricing and a limited markup, has fundamentally changed the pricing of medications in the USA. Other awards Mark has earned include being named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame, the Horatio Alger Award, the SXSW Hall of Fame, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and GQ Man of the Year. He is married and lives in Dallas with his wife and three children.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Mark Cuban joins us for a moderated conversation on the state of AI, sharing his trademark perspective on what leaders should pay attention to, where caution is warranted, and what the future may bring. Alex Kantrowitz, is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI.
KHAN ACADEMY
Chief Learning Officer
Dr. Kristen DiCerbo is the Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a free world class education to anyone, anywhere. In this role, she is responsible for the research-based teaching and learning strategy for Khan Academy’s offerings. She leads the content, assessment, design, product management, and community support teams. Time magazine named her one of the top 100 people influencing the future of AI in 2024. Dr. DiCerbo’s work has consistently been focused on embedding what we know from education research about how people learn into digital learning experiences. Prior to her role at Khan Academy, she was Vice-President of Learning Research and Design at Pearson, served as a research scientist supporting the Cisco Networking Academies, and worked as a school psychologist in an Arizona school district. Kristen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Hamilton College and Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Arizona State University.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
AI is changing how we learn. Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, joins Hani Rachidi, Head of Product, AI Labs at Capital One to explore what the future of learning looks like in an AI-powered world and what it means for education, skills, and the workforce.
ACCENTURE
Managing Director - AI & Data for the Americas
Lee Barrett is a Managing Director at Accenture, leading AI & Data for the Americas across all industries and functions. With over 23 years at Accenture, Lee has focused on helping clients harness data and AI to deliver quantifiable business outcomes. He has led numerous large-scale, end-to-end AI transformations, bridging Business and Technology to enable true business reinvention. Lee played a pivotal role in launching Accenture’s cloud-based AI services platform and holds two patents in this area. A recognized thought leader, he regularly participates in global AI & Data summits, hosts a monthly C-Suite Leadership Forum, delivers keynotes, and contributes to podcasts and articles. Lee is also deeply passionate about Inclusion & Diversity in AI & Data and was honored last year with the Women’s Leader in Data & AI – Ally Award for his advocacy and impact.”
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Most organizations are running AI pilots. Few are changing how they actually work. In this opening keynote, Lee Barrett will hit where AI stands today.. what's coming and what the next 2–3 years will demand of leaders. Drawing on real client examples and emerging trend signals, Lee makes the case that the real challenge isn't just embedding AI and adoption — it's reinvention: redesigning workflows, redefining value, and building the organizational muscle to scale change before competitors do.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services and capital markets. In this keynote conversation, industry leaders will discuss how AI is enabling smarter risk and investment decisions, improving customer experiences, and transforming operations.
ACCENTURE
Office Managing Director and Senior Client Account Leader - Products
Mike, a long-time resident of DFW, is responsible for managing the overall relationship across a complex portfolio of multi-national clients within Consumer Goods & Services, Retail, and Financial Services. He is recognized as a Dallas 500 Leader, named among The 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas. He is the Accenture Office Managing Director for Dallas and North Texas, responsible for Accenture’s presence and go-to-market strategies with our DFW clients, our engagement with the local philanthropic organizations to maximize community impact and oversees the internal initiatives and activities for engaging our approximately 3,000 Accenture people in North Texas. During his 25 years in Consulting, Mike has established a strong record of successfully partnering with clients to realize transformational value at a multi-national level during challenging times and conditions. Mike has worked extensively with clients on complex commercial and business models as part of his transformation experience and now helps his clients adapt and use Gen AI as a differentiator to drive transformations. He is known for his client-first approach with an emphasis on open and honest communication, building high-performing client and Accenture teams that create measurable value.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
Get your day started with remarks from Accenture around the State of AI in Dallas-Fort Worth.
TD JAKES FOUNDATION
President and CEO
Kelley Cornish is the President and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), a workforce development and community building foundation committed to improving the lifelong outcomes for communities and individuals who have limited access to resources and opportunities - www.tdjfoundation.org. Prior to this role, she served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at Wells Fargo & Company where she was the primary liaison between diverse segments and various business lines and support partners. Her work included leading planning, implementing strategy and driving accountabilities for all internal functions supporting efforts across the enterprise. Kelley also served as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the TD Bank Group and led Diversity and Inclusion for AmeriHealth Caritas and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Accomplished in her career, in March 2025, Kelley was officially sworn in as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wiley University, marking a historic milestone as the first woman in the 152-year history of the university to serve in this role. Other recent awards include in 2023, Kelley was recognized as a Women of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine for her remarkable achievements, innovation, and impact in the communities and industries in which she serves as well as in the personal and professional lives of others. In 2022, she received the Woman of the Year Award from iHeartMedia radio recognizing her work in the community and in corporate America. With nearly 4 decades in the workplace, Kelley shares the importance of resetting, self-care and unplugging as a leader in the podcast, Life + Leadership UNPLUGGED with Kelley Cornish heard on all podcast platforms. In addition, true to sharing her life's experiences, Kelley speaks around the country about her career climb, her leadership journey, and creating legacy. Kelley also serves on the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kelley obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina - Aiken in Business Administration and her Masters from Webster University in Human Resource Management. She is currently enrolled in the University of California Berkley’s CEO Program, is a Certified Diversity Professional by Cornell University (CCDP) and has completed course work at the Harvard Kennedy School in strategies for leading and building diverse organizations. Kelley enjoys spending time with two adult sons whenever possible, her extended family and friends, and exploring new ways to live her best life!
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, organizations must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent. Explore how AI is changing roles, skills, and workforce strategies, and what leaders can do today to prepare their teams for the future.
MARCH 31, 2026 - 12:20pm - 1:15pm - Table Talks 2026
Kelley Cornish
President and CEO
T.D. Jakes Foundation
Tozyea Reed
Vice President of Programs & Outcomes
T.D. Jakes Foundation
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce and economy, this table conversation will explore how mission-driven organizations can responsibly integrate AI to expand access, strengthen economic mobility, and better serve its communities. Led by the TD Jakes Foundation, the dialogue will focus on practical applications aligned with workforce development, financial empowerment, and closing opportunity gaps.
COST PLUS DRUGS
Co-Founder
Mark Cuban, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, a graduate of Indiana University, and now a Dallas, TX resident has always been an entrepreneur. From selling and trading baseball cards, selling garbage bags and magazines door-to-door, to starting a business buying and selling stamps at age 16, there have been few years in his life when he wasn’t starting or running a business. After graduating from IU, a friend suggested he come to Dallas. Off Mark went to live in “The Village” with five roommates, getting only the floor in the corner of a bedroom as his new “home.” Starting as a bartender, he was not there long before he got a job at one of Dallas’ first retail software stores, Your Business Software. He spent nine months doing everything from learning how to code, supporting and installing every type of business software and of course, making sure the store opened on time. That went well until he made the executive decision to turn over the store opening duties to a peer so he could pick up a check for a sale. He was fired. Mark decided it was time to start on his own, the next day, MicroSolutions was founded… With no money and still sleeping on the floor, Mark was relentless until he found his first customer, Architectural Lighting, who fronted him the money for the software they needed. That advance was all Mark needed. Over the next seven vacationless years, MicroSolutions became a national leader in Systems Integration and custom applications for local and wide area networks, making it near the top of LAN Magazine’s LAN 100. Growing to 80 employees, never having a losing month of operations and nearly $36M in annualized sales, in 1990, MicroSolutions was sold to CompuServe, a subsidiary of H&R Block for $6M. At that point Mark “retired ” to investing in public and private companies. His knowledge of the networking industry led to success and brought returns of 80 percent and more each year. He used that track record to briefly build a hedge fund, for which he got an offer he couldn’t refuse and sold within 12 months. After a brief stint in LA to have fun taking acting classes and doing fortunately long-forgotten commercials and B movies, he returned to Dallas. During a lunch with a college friend, Todd Wagner, they discussed how they might use “this new thing called the internet” to listen to broadcasts of IU basketball games in Dallas–at that time, an impossibility. Using his knowledge of networking and Todd’s extensive background on law and business, they started Audionet.com, the first commercial streaming company in the world. AudioNet grew quickly and soon became Broadcast.com, adding video and much more, going public in July 1998 with what would be the largest first day jump in share valuation in the history of the stock market! Broadcast.com was the largest multimedia site on the internet, without a close second. After being pursued by multiple possible acquisitors, Broadcast.com was sold for $5.7B in stock to Yahoo Inc. Once the deal closed, Mark became concerned that the internet stock boom could become a bust, so he hedged his stock, putting on a long short collar that would go on to be called “one of the top 10 stock market trades of all time.” It was at the same time Mark purchased the Dallas Mavericks for $285M. The Mavs would have the second-best record in the NBA during his ownership tenure, got to the NBA Finals in 2006, and won the World Championship in 2011. Mark changed the nature of ownership of a professional team. He sat with fans. He took a vocal stand on officiating, getting fined millions of dollars. He also led to significant changes in how teams were operated. He was the first to bring in Player Development coaches. At the time he was criticized, but it is now done by every team. He had the NBA change the clear path rule to 2 shots and the ball after showing the league the math behind the incentives to foul. He added mics to the rim of the American Airlines Center, expanded in arena entertainment and fan engagement. He considers his greatest failure during his tenure as Governor of the Mavs to be his inability to help the NBA improve the officiating, despite spending more than $3M in fines. Mark sold majority control of the Mavs in 2023, but continues to be actively involved with the team. In addition to the Mavs, Mark continued to be active as an entrepreneur and investor. Along with Phil Garvin, in 2001, they started HDNet and HDNet Movies, the world’s first all High-Definition TV network. That started the path for Todd Wagner and Mark to focus on building the first fully integrated media and entertainment company. Adding Landmark Theaters, starting 2929 Productions, HDNet Films and Magnolia Pictures, Todd and Mark set a new entertainment path. The first movie Mark personally greenlit, in 12 minutes, all via email, was “Enron: The Smartest Guys In the Room.” It went on to be nominated for an Academy Award. The next movie, from 2929 Productions, was “Good Night and Good Luck,” nominated for six Academy Awards. Mark and Todd teamed to create a variety of firsts: the first movie released on TV, theaters, and on DVD, came from 2929 Productions, as were the first movies released to hotels branded as “While in Theaters.” Landmark Theaters was sold in 2019, HDNet not long after. Magnolia Pictures and 2929 continue to thrive. Mark’s accomplishments extended to other areas as well. He first appeared as a “Shark” on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit business show “Shark Tank” in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular and tough Sharks throughout his tenure, investing millions of dollars in hundreds of small businesses. He’s been nominated nine times for an Emmy for “Shark Tank,” which includes four times for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Competition Program and won the Emmy as an Executive Producer in 2024 for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The vast number of companies he’s invested in are featured on www.markcubancompanies.com. His last appearance on the program will be during season 16 in May 2025. In 2015, in response to vestibular issues he was experiencing, he partnered with the doctors who currently operate DizzyAndVertigo.com to integrate Vestibular Rehabilitation software and VR Goggles to create a solution that offers an alternative to special devices that cost $190K. The solution continues to be used and has helped thousands of people get relief from dizziness. In 2019, Mark co-founded Costplusdrugs.com. Its launch on Jan 19, 2022, with transparent pricing and a limited markup, has fundamentally changed the pricing of medications in the USA. Other awards Mark has earned include being named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame, the Horatio Alger Award, the SXSW Hall of Fame, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and GQ Man of the Year. He is married and lives in Dallas with his wife and three children.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Mark Cuban joins us for a moderated conversation on the state of AI, sharing his trademark perspective on what leaders should pay attention to, where caution is warranted, and what the future may bring. Alex Kantrowitz, is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI.
KHAN ACADEMY
Chief Learning Officer
Dr. Kristen DiCerbo is the Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a free world class education to anyone, anywhere. In this role, she is responsible for the research-based teaching and learning strategy for Khan Academy’s offerings. She leads the content, assessment, design, product management, and community support teams. Time magazine named her one of the top 100 people influencing the future of AI in 2024. Dr. DiCerbo’s work has consistently been focused on embedding what we know from education research about how people learn into digital learning experiences. Prior to her role at Khan Academy, she was Vice-President of Learning Research and Design at Pearson, served as a research scientist supporting the Cisco Networking Academies, and worked as a school psychologist in an Arizona school district. Kristen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Hamilton College and Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Arizona State University.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
AI is changing how we learn. Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, joins Hani Rachidi, Head of Product, AI Labs at Capital One to explore what the future of learning looks like in an AI-powered world and what it means for education, skills, and the workforce.
AECOM
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Since being appointed CEO in August 2020, Mr. Rudd has led AECOM’s transformation into a leading professional services organization focused on delivering long-term value for employees, clients and shareholders. Through the company’s Think and Act Globally strategy, he has championed investments in talent development, innovation and technical excellence to strengthen AECOM’s competitive advantage. Under Mr. Rudd’s leadership, AECOM has sharpened its focus on winning and delivering the industry’s most complex programs and projects, increasing market share, deepening client relationships and enhancing long-term visibility. He has also advanced the company’s growth in advisory and program management services. Collectively, these actions have positioned the firm for sustained growth and have driven a near tripling of its market capitalization since Mr. Rudd was named CEO. Mr. Rudd has held a series of operational and financial leadership positions since joining AECOM in 2009, including previously as Chief Financial Officer. Before joining AECOM, Mr. Rudd was a partner for 10 years with KPMG. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM solves our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
AI is not just improving how we design infrastructure, it is changing how it gets delivered. In this keynote, Troy Rudd and Janne Aas-Jakobsen show how AI expands the value engineers can deliver by enabling better decisions earlier, increasing certainty, and unlocking more ambitious infrastructure.
AT&T
Senior Vice President Supply Chain and Transformation
Jason is the SVP of Global Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency at AT&T. In his current role, he manages a $70B Supply Chain for AT&T and is responsible for transforming the cost structure of the company. Since the beginning of his career with AT&T in 2002, Jason has held several leadership positions in engineering, strategy, operations, and marketing spanning across the consumer and business customer segments. He has maintained a successful track record of introducing and maturing emerging technologies and transforming businesses. Prior to becoming SVP of Global Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency, Jason led the Public Sector and FirstNet business. FirstNet is the first-ever nationwide, wireless network for first responders. He was responsible for delivering on the 25-year public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, which represents the largest government contract to ever be awarded to a telecommunications provider. Other previous roles include Chief Data Officer and Senior Vice President – Strategic Planning, where he was responsible for global network planning, prioritization of over half of AT&T’s capital spend, design technology, talent enablement and the CDO’s center of excellence for data science, AI and automation. Jason also served as Vice President of Global Technology Planning and Program Management, Vice President of Cybersecurity Operations, Vice President of DevOps for AT&T Partner Solutions over the course of his career.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
This session explores how organizations can unlock hidden value within their existing data by structuring, connecting, and enriching it for AI analysis. Attendees will learn practical methods for transforming raw enterprise data into a meaningful knowledge base for AI systems, while examining adoption trends, what is working, what is not, and real world use cases.
FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN INNOVATION
Senior Fellow (fmr Senior Policy Advisor for AI and Emerging Technology at the White House)
Dean Woodley Ball is a senior fellow at FAI. He most recently served as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Strategic Advisor for AI at the National Science Foundation. Previously he was a Research Fellow in the Artificial Intelligence & Progress Project at George Mason University's Mercatus Center and a Policy Fellow at Fathom. Dean is author of Hyperdimensional. His work focuses on emerging technologies and the future of governance, spanning artificial intelligence, manufacturing innovation, neural technology, bioengineering, technology policy, political theory, public finance, urban infrastructure, and criminal justice reform. Outside of FAI, his scholarship has been published by the Mercatus Center, the Hoover Institution, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Federation of American Scientists, the Manhattan Institute, and American Compass. His writing has appeared in National Affairs, The New Atlantis, Pirate Wires, Lawfare, The Dispatch, The Hill, Tech Policy Press, the Washington Post, the Orange County Register, the Coolidge Quarterly, and National Review. His academic work includes "Neither Harbour nor Floor: Contemplating the Singularity with Michael Oakeshott" in the forthcoming Liberalism Revisited (Palgrave) and "Ideas of Another Order: Michael Oakeshott and Confucius in Conversation" in Collingwood and British Idealism Studies. Prior to his government service, Dean held senior positions at Stanford's Hoover Institution, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, and the Manhattan Institute, where he oversaw the Hayek Book Prize. He also consults on passion projects, including on-the-ground policing reform in Argentina and Chile and the restoration of the Florentine guild system for sacred liturgical art. Dean serves on the Board of Directors of the Alexander Hamilton Institute and was selected as an Aspen Ideas Fellow. He graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College with a B.A. in History and lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Abigail, and their two cats, Io and Ganymede.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
How should the United States approach artificial intelligence policy in a time of rapid technological change and global competition? Sean Fulton, Of Counsel, with DLA Piper will lead a conversation with Dean Ball, former Senior Policy Advisor for AI and Emerging Technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and primary staff drafter of America’s AI Action Plan. They will discuss the vision behind the plan and what it means for the future of U.S. AI policy, governance, and innovation. Ball is now a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation.
THOMSON REUTERS
Vice President Transformations Lead
Tosan Ojeahere is a globally recognized transformation leader who sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human potential, and organizational change. As Vice President of Content Operations & Technology at Thomson Reuters, she leads a high-performing team of content specialists globally, driving one of the most ambitious AI transformation programs in the legal and professional services industry. With a portfolio spanning agentic AI workflows, large-scale automation, and Human-in-the-Loop innovation, Tosan is not just watching the future of work unfold, she is architecting it. A practitioner as much as a strategist, Tosan serves as Program Leader for Thomson Reuters' Internal AI initiative, where she has achieved and sustained 100% AI adoption across her global team, a milestone that reflects her core belief that technology transformation succeeds only when people are brought along, not left behind. Her work spans the full spectrum of AI-powered reinvention: from deploying AI case classification tools, to pioneering agentic orchestration models that are redefining how legal content is created at scale. She has also led the development of AI-specific job profiles and competency frameworks, building the organizational infrastructure for a workforce ready to thrive in an AI-native world. Beyond her operational leadership, Tosan is a voice for inclusive, human-centered transformation. As Co-Chair of Global Women at Thomson Reuters and a member of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2026, she brings a powerful lens to the questions that matter most: Who benefits from AI? Who gets left behind? And what does responsible, equitable adoption actually look like in practice? With over 20 years of transformation leadership across Thomson Reuters, Deloitte, Cisco, and British Telecom and an MBA in Strategy, Tosan brings the rare combination of boardroom credibility, on-the-ground execution, and an unwavering commitment to people-first progress.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, organizations must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent. Explore how AI is changing roles, skills, and workforce strategies, and what leaders can do today to prepare their teams for the future.
COBOT
VP, Business Strategy & Growth
Insiya Lokhandwala is VP of Business Strategy & Growth at Cobot, where she leads strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. Before joining Cobot, she spent seven years at Andreessen Horowitz building the firm's Go-To-Market Acceleration Platform and partnering with hundreds of founders across AI, fintech, gaming, and the creator economy. Prior to a16z, Insiya held business development and growth roles at Lyft, Google, and YouTube, where she helped launch and scale technologies ranging from autonomous vehicles to Google Glass and YouTube's global content distribution. She brings a track record of turning complex partnerships into repeatable, scalable revenue impact.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Physical AI is bringing intelligence into the real world through advances in vision, robotics, mobility, and automation. This session explores how AI-powered machines are learning to perceive, move, and operate in complex environments, unlocking new possibilities across industries
BIG TECHNOLOGY
Founder
Alex Kantrowitz is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI. He's also an on-air contributor at CNBC and the author of Always Day One: How The Tech Titans Plan To Stay On Top Forever.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Mark Cuban joins us for a moderated conversation on the state of AI, sharing his trademark perspective on what leaders should pay attention to, where caution is warranted, and what the future may bring. Alex Kantrowitz, is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI.
J.P. MORGAN
Managing Director and Head of AI & Data Analytics
Alex is a Managing Director and Head of AI & Data Analytics for JPMorgan's Global Investment Bank. He leads both the strategic vision and development of agentic platforms, predictive modelling, and transaction intelligence solutions, driving AI adoption across the firm's investment banking businesses.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services and capital markets. In this keynote conversation, industry leaders will discuss how AI is enabling smarter risk and investment decisions, improving customer experiences, and transforming operations.
INDEED
Director of Economic Research - Indeed Hiring Lab
Laura Ullrich is Director of Economic Research in North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab. Prior to joining Indeed, Laura served as a Senior Regional Economist and Senior Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, primarily focused on research related to higher education and workforce dynamics. For over a decade, Laura was an economics professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at Winthrop University. Her research interests include higher education, community college policy, labor participation, and the economic impact of local development. She holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Georgia and a master's and doctorate in Economics from the University of Tennessee.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, organizations must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent. Explore how AI is changing roles, skills, and workforce strategies, and what leaders can do today to prepare their teams for the future.
NASDAQ
Head of AI Research and Engineering
Douglas Hamilton heads AI research and engineering at Nasdaq. Doug’s notable achievements at Nasdaq include establishing the first AI-powered strike listing system and launching the first AI-powered order type approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. He has an M.S. in systems engineering from MIT and a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Illinois, Springfield.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services and capital markets. In this keynote conversation, industry leaders will discuss how AI is enabling smarter risk and investment decisions, improving customer experiences, and transforming operations.
OKTA
Director, Americas Office of Field CTO
As the leader of Okta's Office of the Field CTO for the Americas, Chris Gustafson translates the complex world of digital identity into strategic business advantage. Drawing on three decades of technology leadership, Chris and his team of senior advisors, industry specialists, and architects counsel C-suite executives on leveraging identity as a cornerstone for secure innovation and customer trust. They are dedicated to helping organizations move beyond security as a defensive measure, reimagining it as a catalyst for creating exceptional customer experiences and unlocking new revenue opportunities.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
AI is evolving from passive assistants into autonomous engineers that can plan and execute complex tasks. Join leaders from Cognition, the pioneers of autonomous software engineering, and Okta, a leader in agentic identity and security, in a conversation with the Chief Consulting Officer at Improving. Hear how the industry is shifting from humans writing every line of code to a new paradigm where engineers act as architects, delegating work to agents with the trust and authority to deploy production-ready solutions.
AECOM
Head of AI for Engineering
Janne Aas-Jakobsen is Head of AI for Engineering at AECOM (NYSE:ACM), the trusted global infrastructure leader. In this role, Ms. Aas-Jakobsen leads the implementation of AECOM’s AI strategy, supporting the Company’s ambition to transform infrastructure engineering and delivery through AI. Her responsibilities include overseeing the development of AECOM’s AI for Engineering capabilities, integrating these capabilities into engineering workflows, and identifying new AI use-cases through real-world applications. Ms. Aas-Jakobsen holds extensive experience at the intersection of AI and building engineering. Previously, she was the founder and CEO of Consigli AI, where she led the development of Consigli’s Autonomous Engineer, an AI-powered agent built to reduce risk and cost in building engineering. Ms. Aas-Jakobsen received her Master of Technology Management from the Norwegian School of Economics, as well as her Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM solves our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
MARCH 30, 2026 - Day 1
AI is not just improving how we design infrastructure, it is changing how it gets delivered. In this keynote, Troy Rudd and Janne Aas-Jakobsen show how AI expands the value engineers can deliver by enabling better decisions earlier, increasing certainty, and unlocking more ambitious infrastructure.
WAABI
Head of Software
Daryn Nakhuda, Waabi's Head of Software, has over 25 years of experience in the software industry, both as an engineer as well as a manager and executive leader. He has founded and worked at several early-stage companies, as well as some of the largest in the industry, including Uber and Amazon. Most recently, Daryn was a member of the software leadership team at Aurora Innovation, following Aurora’s acquisition of Uber ATG. Prior to Uber ATG, Daryn was CEO and Co-Founder of Mighty AI, one of the world’s leading data labeling companies, which was acquired by Uber ATG in 2019.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
Physical AI is bringing intelligence into the real world through advances in vision, robotics, mobility, and automation. This session explores how AI-powered machines are learning to perceive, move, and operate in complex environments, unlocking new possibilities across industries
COGNITION
CEO Windsurf
Jeff Wang is the CEO of Windsurf (now part of Cognition), the company behind the first agentic IDE. Windsurf has scaled to serve a large and active community of developers, industry partners, and enterprise customers. Prior to Windsurf, he co-founded RocketFuel Education and RNR Capital, held executive roles at several startups, and began his career at Salesforce and Cisco.
MARCH 31, 2026 - Day 2
AI is evolving from passive assistants into autonomous engineers that can plan and execute complex tasks. Join leaders from Cognition, the pioneers of autonomous software engineering, and Okta, a leader in agentic identity and security, in a conversation with the Chief Consulting Officer at Improving. Hear how the industry is shifting from humans writing every line of code to a new paradigm where engineers act as architects, delegating work to agents with the trust and authority to deploy production-ready solutions.
GOOGLE
Field CTO of Public Sector
2025
Xavier ‘Xav’ de Souza Briggs is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC and senior advisor and co-founder of What Works Plus, a collaborative of leading philanthropic donors promoting opportunity through America’s generational investments in infrastructure and economic development, including manufacturing. An award-winning educator and researcher, former professor at Harvard and MIT, he is also an experienced adviser on inclusive economic development and leader in philanthropy and government.
His work at Brookings has focused on inclusive markets, good jobs, responding to extreme weather, and making government more nimble and effective. He has helped catalyze public conversation about: generative AI and the future of work and workers; how big federal bets on “new industrial policy” can generate real and lasting economic benefits for the workers and communities that need it most.
A board member at JUST Capital, Xav is the author of three books, two of them national book of the year award winners. His writing and views have appeared in the New York Times, TIME, Boston Globe, CNN, Fortune, Fast Company, and other media, in English and in Spanish.
Prior to joining Brookings, Briggs served for six years as vice president of the Ford Foundation, redesigning and managing its inclusive economies and markets work globally, along with regional program teams based in China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. He led the foundation’s efforts to develop an actionable framework for understanding and challenging the drivers of inequality in our world, and also to build the field of impact investing and commit $1 billion of endowment assets, the largest-ever for a private foundation, for that purpose. He earned an engineering degree at Stanford, an MPA at Harvard, and Ph.D. at Columbia University.
BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
Senior Fellow
2025
CATERPILLAR
Vice President of Innovation & Emerging Technology
2025
MICROSOFT
Corporate Vice President of U.S. Commercial Industries
2025
Rao is the Data and AI Practice Lead for Accenture North America and the Global Client Account Lead for a large consumer goods Diamond Client with over 25 years of experience in leading consulting and digital transformations. Prior to his current role, he was the CG&S Industry Sector Lead North America. He also led Accenture's Consumer Goods and Retail Industry practices across Europe in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany from 2009-2018. His clients were global leaders in food, home and personal care, alcoholic beverages, life sciences, automotive, and more. Rao's contributions to the CG&S industry are widely recognized, particularly for his scale tech-enabled business transformation programs. He is a regular contributor to the Consumer Brand Association, Consumer Goods Forum, and other industry network organizations, further solidifying his influence and expertise in the field. Before Accenture, Rao worked at Hewlett Packard Co. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Mysore and a Master in Business Administration from Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University.
ACCENTURE
North America Data and AI Lead
2024
THE HOME DEPOT
Head of Enterprise Data
2025
Tracy Lynn Curry, known professionally as The D.O.C., is a pioneering rapper and songwriter from Dallas. The D.O.C., was a founding member of N.W.A., the groundbreaking hip-hop group. His sharp lyricism and dynamic delivery helped define the group's sound on albums like "Straight Outta Compton." His debut album, "No One Can Do It Better," released in 1989, showcased his lyrical prowess and storytelling ability. The album was well-received critically and commercially, featuring hits like "It's Funky Enough" and "The Formula." His distinctive voice and innovative rhymes set him apart in the rap landscape. The D.O.C. faced a tragic setback in 1989 when a car accident severely damaged his vocal cords. Although he continued to work as a songwriter and collaborator, his own solo career was significantly impacted. Throughout his career, The D.O.C. has remained influential, collaborating with some of hip-hop's biggest names, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and N.W.A. He is also known for his contributions to Dr. Dre's seminal album "The Chronic" and Snoop Dogg's debut "Doggystyle." The D.O.C. remains a respected figure in hip-hop, revered for his early contributions to the genre and his enduring impact on West Coast rap. In 2024, he received a Grammy lifetime achievement award as a member of N.W.A.
Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, and 2024 Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award Winner
2024
MCKESSON
SVP and Chief Information Officer, McKesson Pharmaceutical Solutions and Services
2025
CBRE
Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Global Workplace Solutions
2025
Dr. Austin currently manages a team of around 250 data scientists and developers in the Chief Data Office, applying AI, machine learning, and automation with applications across many areas of the company such as Fraud, Field Operations, Consumer, Security, Supply Chain, and Corporate Functions. His team has developed innovative solutions for largescale routing problems, implemented closed-loop AI classification systems and recommendation engines, operationalized computer vision, and improved process and people productivity by deploying an operating >3,000 BOTS company-wide. With 29 years of experience, Dr. Austin has also held a variety of leadership and staff roles in running technology planning operations across South Florida, Puerto Rico and the Southeast U.S. Dr. Austin has chaired various industry technical standards committees, is the co-author of five books, has published more than 20 reviewed technical papers, has been granted over 100 patents, and is on a number of advisory boards in academia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland (summa cum laude), a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and is the recipient of the Sigma Xi Thesis Award for his research on various topics related to optimizing cellular systems.
AT&T
Vice President, Data Science
2024
Carbonara is a Managing Director at Citi Ventures and works out of the Palo Alto office. He strives to create win-win scenarios that provide customer engagement and product feedback for high-potential startups while motivating innovation and business transformation for both Citi and its clients. Prior to Citi Ventures, Carbonara was at Cisco where he led investments and acquisitions in enterprise networking, collaboration, and IoT, both locally and in Israel. He also has investment experience from Comcast Ventures and TeleSoft Partners. Prior to becoming a venture capitalist, Carbonara was employee 10 at Terayon Communication Systems, a Sequoia- and Lightspeed-backed startup that went public, where he initially architected and designed application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) before moving into product marketing and product management. Matt received his Bachelor of Science summa cum laude and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Ohio State University.
CITI VENTURES
Managing Director
2024
PEPSICO
Global Senior Director of Data & AI and Head of AI Platforms & Solutions
2025
GLOBE LIFE
SVP, Chief Data & AI Officer
2025
Anchal Gupta is Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As CTO, Anchal is directly responsible for building industry models to solve customer challenges and modernizing our technology to further digitalize our operation and customer experience through innovation and laying a forward-looking technology foundation for the company. She leads the functional areas of technology architecture, technology platforms, data engineering, operations research and advanced analytics, and emerging technologies. Prior to joining American, Anchal held various senior IT management roles with companies including Barclays, American Express, DTCC and, most recently, JPMorgan Chase where she led the transformation and modernization of card platforms, applications and data solutions. Throughout her 25 plus years career, she has focused on defining and executing technology strategies with financial acumen that drive business results through innovative engineering. She has been a part of many industry-first influencing solutions around B2B and B2C customer experiences, payments, wallets, mobile, AI/ML customer 360, infrastructure, and cloud-based solutions – driving these initiatives from architecture to execution with agile delivery adoption. She fosters a culture of innovation that challenges the status quo and believes in being a catalyst and change agent. Anchal empowers others to succeed by developing talent and building followership by leading with empathy.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
Chief Technology Officer
2024
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Get your day started with remarks from Accenture around the State of AI in Dallas-Fort Worth.
MIKE NOEL ACCENTURE
Mike, a long-time resident of DFW, is responsible for managing the overall relationship across a complex portfolio of multi-national clients within Consumer Goods & Services, Retail, and Financial Services. He is recognized as a Dallas 500 Leader, named among The 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas. He is the Accenture Office Managing Director for Dallas and North Texas, responsible for Accenture’s presence and go-to-market strategies with our DFW clients, our engagement with the local philanthropic organizations to maximize community impact and oversees the internal initiatives and activities for engaging our approximately 3,000 Accenture people in North Texas. During his 25 years in Consulting, Mike has established a strong record of successfully partnering with clients to realize transformational value at a multi-national level during challenging times and conditions. Mike has worked extensively with clients on complex commercial and business models as part of his transformation experience and now helps his clients adapt and use Gen AI as a differentiator to drive transformations. He is known for his client-first approach with an emphasis on open and honest communication, building high-performing client and Accenture teams that create measurable value.
AI is changing how we learn. Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, joins Hani Rachidi, Head of Product, AI Labs at Capital One to explore what the future of learning looks like in an AI-powered world and what it means for education, skills, and the workforce.
DR. KRISTEN DICERBO KHAN ACADEMY
Dr. Kristen DiCerbo is the Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a free world class education to anyone, anywhere. In this role, she is responsible for the research-based teaching and learning strategy for Khan Academy’s offerings. She leads the content, assessment, design, product management, and community support teams. Time magazine named her one of the top 100 people influencing the future of AI in 2024. Dr. DiCerbo’s work has consistently been focused on embedding what we know from education research about how people learn into digital learning experiences. Prior to her role at Khan Academy, she was Vice-President of Learning Research and Design at Pearson, served as a research scientist supporting the Cisco Networking Academies, and worked as a school psychologist in an Arizona school district. Kristen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Hamilton College and Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Arizona State University.
HANI RACHIDI CAPITAL ONE
Hani Rachidi is a technology product leader who builds platforms and networks that have powered more than $100 billion in digital commerce for consumers and businesses. His expertise is in steering product strategy, transforming business models, monetization and launching products to market. He is skilled at leading high performing and engaged teams with longer retention and strong business outcomes.
Dave Copps, Cofounder and CEO of Worlds, will make a special new product release announcement.
DAVE COPPS WORLDS
Dave is CEO and Co-Founder of Worlds. He is known internationally as a futurist, technologist and visionary on the role that emerging technologies will play in transforming markets and the world. Dave has founded and sold two technology companies that pioneered the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in hundreds of companies around the world.
AI is not just improving how we design infrastructure, it is changing how it gets delivered. In this keynote, Troy Rudd and Janne Aas-Jakobsen show how AI expands the value engineers can deliver by enabling better decisions earlier, increasing certainty, and unlocking more ambitious infrastructure.
TROY RUDD AECOM
Since being appointed CEO in August 2020, Mr. Rudd has led AECOM’s transformation into a leading professional services organization focused on delivering long-term value for employees, clients and shareholders. Through the company’s Think and Act Globally strategy, he has championed investments in talent development, innovation and technical excellence to strengthen AECOM’s competitive advantage. Under Mr. Rudd’s leadership, AECOM has sharpened its focus on winning and delivering the industry’s most complex programs and projects, increasing market share, deepening client relationships and enhancing long-term visibility. He has also advanced the company’s growth in advisory and program management services. Collectively, these actions have positioned the firm for sustained growth and have driven a near tripling of its market capitalization since Mr. Rudd was named CEO. Mr. Rudd has held a series of operational and financial leadership positions since joining AECOM in 2009, including previously as Chief Financial Officer. Before joining AECOM, Mr. Rudd was a partner for 10 years with KPMG. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM solves our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management.
JANNE AAS-JAKOBSEN AECOM
Janne Aas-Jakobsen is Head of AI for Engineering at AECOM (NYSE:ACM), the trusted global infrastructure leader. In this role, Ms. Aas-Jakobsen leads the implementation of AECOM’s AI strategy, supporting the Company’s ambition to transform infrastructure engineering and delivery through AI. Her responsibilities include overseeing the development of AECOM’s AI for Engineering capabilities, integrating these capabilities into engineering workflows, and identifying new AI use-cases through real-world applications. Ms. Aas-Jakobsen holds extensive experience at the intersection of AI and building engineering. Previously, she was the founder and CEO of Consigli AI, where she led the development of Consigli’s Autonomous Engineer, an AI-powered agent built to reduce risk and cost in building engineering. Ms. Aas-Jakobsen received her Master of Technology Management from the Norwegian School of Economics, as well as her Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM solves our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
Grab a lunch, network, and explore the demo's from our Convergence Labs sponsor.
These invitation-only executive lunches, hosted by Roundtable Sponsors Accenture and Deloitte, will provide candid small-group discussions and executive-level presentations over a seated lunch with peers and senior industry leaders.
This invite-only workshop brings public sector leaders together to explore how their organizations can responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to improve services, strengthen operations, and drive meaningful community outcomes. Participants will gain practical frameworks and real-world examples to help accelerate AI readiness across their agencies.
JENNIFER SANDERS NORTH TEXAS INNOVATION ALLIANCE
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the North Texas Innovation Alliance, a 501c3 public-private consortium with more than 50 members dedicated to the mission of creating the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country. It is the largest such initiative in the U.S. In 2015, she cofounded the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting Dallas’ smart cities strategy and currently serves as its Executive Director. She is actively involved with numerous civic organizations including serving as Vice Chairman of Better Block, Cofounder of the Internet for North Texas (I4NTX) Coalition and National Smart Coalitions Partnership, Past President of Mayor’s Star Council (now Engage Dallas), among others. She has been recognized as the Innovation Advocate of the Year by D CEO; received the Texas Impact Enterprise Award; the UN Day Global Leadership Award, Tech Titans Technology Advocate of the Year, ATW Spark Award for Economic Empowerment, has been named to Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Top Women in Technology, State Scoop’s Top Women in Technology, and Tech Week 100. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
DAVID GRAHAM HARVARD UNIVERSITY
David Graham is a global leader in innovation and operational excellence, with a career spanning two of the ten largest U.S. municipal governments. He has been the Global Civic Innovation Fellow at Harvard, and is a Designer in Residence at UC San Diego, where he empowers leaders to leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI, data-driven governance, and human-centered design to create transformative change. With over 25 years as a public sector executive, including service as Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the City of San Diego and as Carlsbad, CA’s first Chief Innovation Officer, David’s achievements include pioneering ethical AI frameworks, launching North America’s first all-electric car-share fleet, and designing strategies that align technology with organizational goals. A trusted advisor and keynote speaker, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC. Known for his action-oriented and empathetic approach, David collaborates with public and private sector leaders to drive innovation, align teams, and navigate disruption. Whether coaching executives or shaping policy, David inspires leaders to achieve lasting impact in an ever-changing world.
AARON BOSWELL PARIVEDA
Aaron Boswell is a Vice President in Pariveda’s Dallas office with a passion for delivering technology-driven solutions that transform organizations and address critical business needs. With over two decades of experience, he excels in fostering enduring client relationships and nurturing a culture rooted in coaching, continuous growth, and servant leadership. Aaron brings a wealth of expertise in leading large-scale digital transformations across various sectors, including insurance, financial services, logistics, and commercial software. His work spans from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, where he has harnessed the power of cloud computing, enterprise architecture, and agile methodologies to optimize operations and drive innovation. Known for his ability to demystify complex technology landscapes, Aaron has guided organizations through their cloud adoption journeys, enhancing efficiency and scalability. By focusing on aligning technology initiatives with business goals, he empowers clients to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from The University of Texas at Arlington. Committed to giving back, he actively mentors colleagues and contributes to Pariveda’s internal initiatives, fostering the next generation of technology leaders.
Physical AI explores how artificial intelligence interacts with and controls real-world systems—from robotics to autonomous devices. This session highlights emerging capabilities for smarter physical automation.
ROSS BATES WORLDS
RON DAGDAG THOMSON REUTERS
Ron Dagdag brings over 25 years of experience as a software artisan to his role as Research Engineering Manager at Thomson Reuters, where he leads teams to develop transformative AI solutions. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ron is an active member of the tech community, recognized as a Microsoft MVP in AI, Mixed Reality, and IoT. Ron is an international speaker, sharing his knowledge at industry events, and remains an active maker and tinkerer with a passion for Augmented Intelligence.
JASON BEAVERS SLALOM
Jason has over 20 years of experience delivering innovative Information Technology solutions and leading technical teams in Cloud Engineering, Traditional Infrastructure Engineering, Product Development, IT Operations and Information Security. Jason is passionate about transformative projects using the power of Generative AI that helps companies improve their information security.
This session dives into the design and deployment of organization-specific AI solutions tailored to unique business needs. Attendees will learn how companies are creating differentiated value through bespoke models and workflows.
DEEPAK SETH GARTNER
Deepak Seth is a recognized leader with over 25 years of experience driving data, analytics, AI/ML (including Generative AI), and IT innovation for global organizations. As a Gartner Director Analyst, he publishes influential insight notes and consults extensively with clients, having conducted over 650 client interactions with CIOs, CDAOs, Data/Analytics/AI leaders last year alone. Deepak is also an accomplished keynote speaker at Gartner events and other major industry forums. He has a proven track record of managing complex technology projects, enhancing operations, and guiding executive leaders to achieve strategic goals through advanced analytics and AI capabilities. Deepak excels at advising business and technology leaders, mentoring teams, and nurturing talent. He is a sought-after AI/ML subject matter expert, frequently featured in the press and on social media, and authors a widely-read AI-themed newsletter. He is a Dallas AI Top 75 honoree. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepaksethitleader/ Newsletter: DEEPakAI: AI Demystified
MARK MCSPADDEN USAA
Mark McSpadden is a forward-thinking leader at the intersection of product, technology, and innovation, dedicated to shaping the future of enterprise solutions. As the Head of Innovation at USAA Labs, he leads the conceptualization and incubation of groundbreaking initiatives to enhance member value and empower financial security for USAA's 14 million+ members. With over 15 years of experience, Mark has built a distinguished career marked by leadership roles at prominent organizations. He previously served as Vice President of Global Product & UX at American Express Global Business Travel, where he was instrumental in defining global product strategy and enhancing digital experiences for corporate clients and travelers. Prior to that, he led innovation efforts as Vice President of Emerging Products & Technologies and Head of Sabre Labs at Sabre Corporation, driving R&D and platform innovation in the travel technology space. A recognized public speaker and thought leader, Mark has shared his expertise on AI, digital transformation, and customer experience at prestigious global forums, including TEDx and AI World, and has been featured in publications like TechCrunch. His insights have also been leveraged in prominent presentations to the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and to the TSA Technology Futures group. Mark's professional dedication is matched by his personal commitment to his family and community. Outside of work, he enjoys an active lifestyle, including training for ultra endurance events, and cherishes time with his wife and three daughters.
Many AI initiatives stall after the pilot phase—this session focuses on moving past that barrier. Learn the strategies, operational shifts, and measurement frameworks needed to scale AI from proof-of-concept to production impact.
DALIA POWERS HUMANA
KALYANA BEDHU FANNIE MAE
Kalyana leads Fannie Mae’s Generative AI strategy and drives enterprise adoption through platforms like AI Dome and the Command Center. He turns emerging AI capabilities into secure, production-ready solutions that scale across the company. He brings over 20 years of AI and ML experience across leading global technology firms. At Ericsson, he built one of the early data science labs, developed enterprise AI capabilities, and led applied data science programs that solved real business problems. Kalyana mentors startups in AI space and actively shapes the broader AI ecosystem. He holds patent applications, reviews technical books for Packt Publishing, speaks at industry forums, guest lectures at universities, and has authored award-winning research papers and data science courses. He is a 2025 AI75 awardee, recognized for industry leadership and impact.
Governing AI explores the policies, structures, and controls required to deploy AI responsibly and at scale. The session provides practical guidance on risk mitigation, transparency, compliance, and ethical frameworks.
ROBERT HILL HOLLAND & KNIGHT
Robert S. Hill is a Dallas intellectual property (IP) attorney who focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs and defendants in complex intellectual property litigation cases, and on assisting clients with technology-related transactional and advisory matters. Robert’s experience includes representing pioneering technology companies in major patent litigation related to technologies including multi-modal machine understanding systems and AI-powered ecommerce platforms, as well as in multi-billion dollar trade secret litigation related to self-driving and electric vehicle control technologies. His transactional experience includes representing major large language model developers, prominent venture capitalists, entertainment companies, defense and intelligence contractors, and healthcare companies in a wide variety of AI-related matters. He is a member of Holland & Knight’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group and its Technology Advisory Committee. Rober further leads Holland & Knight’s Digital Healthcare practice and co-leads its Quantum Computing Initiative.
LISA GEORGE SALESFORCE
Lisa George is Senior Corporate Counsel, AI Legal at Salesforce, where she provides strategic legal guidance on the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. Her practice focuses on the intersection of emerging tech and global regulatory frameworks. She supports product & engineering teams developing AI services, reviews internal uses of AI technology, and leads AI regulatory compliance programs. Lisa is based in Dallas, Texas, and received her B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and her J.D. at The University of Texas School of Law in Austin.
This session will explore how evolving AI trends are reshaping the startup ecosystem, with a focus on how AI-first companies are driving unprecedented valuation growth and investor interest. It will also examine what’s ahead for AI innovation, funding patterns, and the factors that will define the next generation of high-growth startups.
DAYAKAR PUSKOOR DALLAS VENTURE CAPITAL
Dayakar Puskoor, Founder and Managing Director of Dallas Venture Capital (DVC), is a serial entrepreneur turned visionary investor, who had the foresight to launch one of the first tech-focused venture funds. Headquartered in post-telecom Dallas, the fund invested in several pioneering early stage startups in cloud, AI/ML and mobile technologies in Dallas, Silicon Valley, Seattle and India. He is also the author of Ace the Pitch, an Amazon best-seller in the business category. Passionate about mentoring founding teams of startups, Dayakar operates with a philosophy to Invest, Engage, Collaborate, Grow & Exit. The spirit of this philosophy has resulted in several path breaking transformations and winning exits for startups. His mantra of “Entrepreneur investing in other Entrepreneurs”, has led to the creation of a like-minded ecosystem of Investors, Advisors and Startups for mutual success. Besides playing a key role in Dallas Venture Capital, Dayakar is also Executive Chairman at Motivity Labs, GlobalOutlook and KeepTrax, Board Member at CoreStack, FelixHealthCare, Kore.ai, Altia Systems, SnapOne, and Viviota, Board Observer at Minetta Brook and an Advisory Board Member at Boxfish and Glympse. Dayakar began his career with Motorola where he owned the P&L for the Paging product and received the Engineering Excellence Award from management at Nippon Motorola. Following which, as Founder and CEO of JP Mobile, he pioneered the industry’s first mobile software solutions company considered to be inventor of wireless email for the Palm PDA platform. He secured $55 million in financing and successfully completed its acquisition by Good Technology, later acquired by Motorola. Prior to founding Dallas Venture Capital, Dayakar owned the P&L for the Hosting & Mobility Solutions business at Microsoft. He was responsible for the incubation, development & management of new mobility and cloud solutions. He also led the $350M hosting business encompassing all product development, product management, marketing, and business development.
KEVIN VELA VELA WOOD
Kevin Vela is the managing Partner at Vela Wood. He focuses his practice in the areas of venture financing, M&A, fund representation, and gaming law. In recent years, he has represented both startups and investors in hundreds of convertible instrument and equity financing transactions ranging from angel rounds through Series C rounds. Kevin teaches a venture transactions course at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making—requires new approaches to deployment and monitoring. This session covers architecture, guardrails, and best practices for scaling agentic systems safely into production environments.
ROMELIA FLORES IBM
Romelia Flores is IBM Distinguished Engineer (DE) & Master Inventor, Public Market, Client Engineering. Romelia’s industry experiences, combined with her unique software development, Generative AI and design expertise make her a highly sought-after innovator. She has collaborated with leading clients in the design of AI Centers of Excellence, Application Modernization, Social Services, Airports of the Future, Assistants and Agents, and more. She holds 91 US patents and 10 patents pending. She collaborates with Government executives on Generative AI. In 2025-2023 she was interviewed by State Tech, Texas CEO Magazine and eRepublic regarding AI in Business. In 2025 she was designated as one of the Dallas AI 75 by the Dallas Regional Chamber and appointed to IBM’s Responsible Technology Board. In 2021, she received the Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business Award. In 2018, she was the first female ever named to the Dallas Tech Titan Hall of Fame and was the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award winner from Great Minds in STEM.
ALKA SIDDIQUI RTX
Alka is a global enterprise leader with 20+ years of experience in setting up Digital/IT teams for services and fortune 500 company captives. She is an industry expert in SAP Implementations/alignments, Application Development and Data Science transforming business into profitable ventures and leading acquisitions. She has 12+ years of leadership experience and led several E2E large scale global IT implementations strategy, SAP full life cycle implementations and AMS in Healthcare, Media, and Manufacturing and Consumer Business industries. Extensively engaged building COE, practice development for both consulting and captive organizations. She has a rich experience in M&A leading IT integration , strategy and transition. Worked on outsourcing deals E2E starting with RFPs, vendor workshops, evaluation process, deals, contract building and transition. Alka is currently working with RTX. leading Enterprise Architecture , Automation Service and Application Platform Services.
This session explores how organizations can unlock hidden value within their existing data by structuring, connecting, and enriching it for AI analysis. Attendees will learn practical methods for transforming raw enterprise data into meaningful knowledge base for AI systems.
RAKSHAN SYED CATERPILLAR
Rakshan Syed is Division CIO - Information Technology Resource Industries at Caterpillar Inc. She is a seasoned Product and Technology Executive with over 25 years of experience leading enterprise transformation, digital modernization, and AI-driven innovation across global organizations. She is recognized for translating complex technology initiatives into measurable business outcomes and driving growth at scale. At Caterpillar Inc., Rakshan guided multibillion-dollar modernization efforts that advanced the company’s digital ecosystem, accelerated transformation timelines, and delivered substantial cost savings. A trusted advisor to executive teams and boards, she excels at building high-performing global organizations, fostering cross-functional alignment, and shaping strategies that position companies for sustained success in the era of intelligent automation and digital reinvention. Rakshan is committed to responsible innovation, operational excellence, and the ethical advancement of AI to drive enduring enterprise value.
BENNIE KING KEURIG DR PEPPER
Bennie King is the Head of Enterprise AI Services at Keurig Dr Pepper, where he leads the strategy, governance, and scaled deployment of Generative AI, Agentic AI, and intelligent automation across the enterprise. He is responsible for accelerating AI adoption at scale, including building the platforms, governance frameworks, and production-grade systems that deliver measurable business impact across marketing, supply chain, legal, and corporate operations. Operating at the rare intersection of executive strategy and hands-on technical architecture, Bennie designs and governs multi-cloud AI ecosystems spanning Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, Databricks, Snowflake Cortex, and ServiceNow AI. His enterprise AI governance frameworks align to the EU AI Act and NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and he has implemented AI observability and telemetry systems that bring accountability and transparency to AI agent operations at scale. His approach ensures that every AI initiative is secure, observable, compliant, and tied to real ROI. A recognized leader in Agentic AI, Bennie architects autonomous, task-oriented AI systems equipped with identity management, enterprise guardrails, and robust control layers. He has spearheaded the development of reusable, production-grade AI agents and large-scale automation initiatives that blend innovation with FinOps discipline, responsible AI governance, and scalable platform design. Before his current role, Bennie built and scaled multiple ventures across B2B, B2C, SaaS, and e-commerce, spanning legal technology, enterprise automation, and consumer markets. Bennie is a builder who has architected production AI systems from the ground up and a business operator who has taken products to market, acquired customers, and scaled revenue across vastly different industries and business models. Today, his passion for impact beyond the boardroom lives in AI for Southern Dallas, a nonprofit initiative he founded to bring AI education, tools, and economic opportunity to underserved communities in the Southern Dallas region. His work bridges the gap between enterprise innovation and equitable access, ensuring that AI’s transformative potential reaches beyond corporate walls and into the communities that need it most. Bennie is known for translating emerging AI capabilities into tangible operational and financial outcomes, bridging the gap between what AI can do and what it must deliver for the business.
Come join us for a casual conversation about OpenClaw and Claude CoWork — two of the most talked-about tools in AI right now. Hear what others are already doing with these tools, share your own experiences, and bring your questions for everyone to discuss. We’ll also discuss potential impact across industries and the key security and governance considerations.
Network and explore the demos from our Convergence Labs sponsor.
Physical AI explores how artificial intelligence interacts with and controls real-world systems—from robotics to autonomous devices. This session highlights emerging capabilities for smarter physical automation.
ASHUTOSH PRASAD KOIREADER TECHNOLOGIES
Ashutosh Prasad is Founder and CEO of KoiReader Technologies. A distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in Logistics and Supply Chain, having held senior executive and global consulting roles at Big 4 firms before founding KoiReader Technologies. Driven by a belief in epoch-defining technological disruption, he built KoiReader into a global force in AI automation, robotics, and industrial intelligence. Under his leadership, the company has pioneered applied AI in the sector, secured 20+ patents, and delivered multimillion-dollar efficiency, accuracy, and scalability gains for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service providers, and shippers worldwide. His flagship KoiVision® Platform, publicly endorsed by industry giants such as NVIDIA and PepsiCo has set new benchmarks for autonomous operations across logistics, supply chain, and manufacturing. His innovations have been showcased on global stages including the G20 Business 20 Summit, Intel Vision AI Conference, and the World Economic Forum’s TradeTech Forum, establishing him as a globally recognized thought leader. Ash authored the Artificial Intelligence powered Automation chapter in the National Logistics Policy of the world’s fifth-largest economy, launched by the Prime Minister of India. Before founding KoiReader, he built digital supply chain practices at PwC and EY and served as Vice President at XPO Logistics, where he led digital innovation portfolios. He also developed the world’s most advanced intelligent label-scanning technology (KoiScan™) and co-designed a next-generation 2D barcode standard for supply-chain asset visibility with GS1. A sought-after keynote speaker, he frequently shares his vision on AI, automation, and AI-human interaction at premier global forums including MIT CTIL, GS1, Siemens AI Open House, and the Carbonated Beverage Institute. He is also a principal contributor to PwC’s GenAI White Paper. Ash’s humanity, humility, humor always stay intact as he embarks on the mission to steer AI automation revolution across the sphere.
This session dives into the design and deployment of organization-specific AI solutions tailored to unique business needs. Attendees will learn how companies are creating differentiated value through bespoke models and workflows.
SANTOSH CHENNURI GOOGLE
Santosh Kumar Chennuri is a Customer engineering lead at Google, where he partners with enterprise C-suite leaders to transform core business operations through advanced AI. He specializes in deploying and scaling Google’s AI stack including Gemini and Vertex AI to architect the strategic foundations for agentic workflows. His recent focus includes agent orchestration, AgentOps, and governing AI agents at scale, enabling organizations to deploy reasoning-based systems that significantly boost developer and employee productivity. Santosh has a proven track record of leading large-scale digital transformations to the cloud for global enterprises. A recognized "Dallas AI 75" innovator and thought leader, he is dedicated to converting the theoretical power of Agentic AI into tangible operational value and a new era of corporate efficiency.
GIRISH MODGIL MCKESSON
Girish Modgil is Chief Data and AI Officer at McKesson, where he leads the enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy. He has built and led enterprise AI organizations, delivering measurable business impact globally. Prior to McKesson, Girish held senior leadership roles at Travelers Insurance, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, and US Xpress, driving large-scale transformation through responsible, production-grade AI. He holds a doctorate in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering from Purdue University.
Many AI initiatives stall after the pilot phase—this session focuses on moving past that barrier. Learn the strategies, operational shifts, and measurement frameworks needed to scale AI from proof-of-concept to production impact.
JUSTIN TAYLOR LOCKHEED MARTIN AERONAUTICS
Justin Taylor is vice president of Skunk Works®’ Dynamic Targeting & Surveillance Systems portfolio and serves on the Board of Directors for Astris AI, a Lockheed Martin Company. Justin began his career at Lockheed Martin as a software engineer, entering industry with a passion to apply advanced technology to problems that matter – enabling a safe and secure world. Throughout his career, he has focused on delivering capability faster than the adversary, harnessing game-changing technologies to drive efficiency, and developing talent with the competitive skill sets needed to stay ahead. After many years of leading mission systems research and development for Skunk Works, Justin served as vice president of artificial intelligence for Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering & Technology, responsible for driving AI and machine learning as an engineering discipline, coordinating the company’s AI/ML technology strategy, and establishing the Lockheed Martin AI Center, or the LAIC. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Astris AI, a Lockheed Martin company, where he works to make these military-grade foundational AI capabilities broadly accessible. After standing up the LAIC, Justin served as vice president of the F-22 program, with primary leadership for all aspects of the program including sustainment, modernization and integration. In May 2025, Justin returned to Skunk Works to lead the Dynamic Targeting & Surveillance Systems portfolio. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas and is a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Leadership Program (ATLP), LM’s Program Management Development Program (PMDP), and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Program Management Training (PMT-4010). He serves on the University of Texas Computer Science (UTCS) Advisory Council and is the executive champion for Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Justin and his wife have 4 children. He enjoys playing ice hockey, wake skating on the lake, and writing music.
NATHAN TURNER JACOBS
Nathan Turner is a senior leader with 13+ years of experience within the engineering industry and most recently driving digital transformation across complex organizations. Known for strong stakeholder engagement and outcome‑focused delivery, Nathan guides clients through transformation journeys and implements innovative frameworks that improve operational performance. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. Recently, he has led strategic initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes—building AI solutions to improve programmatic delivery of large scale infrastructure projects, advising the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center on an Integrated Infrastructure Coordination Plan that optimized scheduling, prevented 5,000+ infrastructure conflicts, and reduced road closures, and managing the Intelligent Operations & Maintenance program in the U.S. to optimize chemical dosing, energy efficiency, asset maintenance, and workforce scheduling across water and wastewater facilities.
Governing AI explores the policies, structures, and controls required to deploy AI responsibly and at scale. The session provides practical guidance on risk mitigation, transparency, compliance, and ethical frameworks.
MIRNA ABYAD BALOUL FULTON JEANG PLLC
Mirna Abyad Baloul is a Partner at Fulton Jeang PLLC. Drawing on her diverse capabilities in business, law, and engineering, Mirna specializes in cutting edge innovation and formulates dynamic corporate and intellectual property (IP) strategies, propelling growth, and augmenting companies' valuations. An intellectual property strategist and a corporate attorney with over 20 years experience in corporate transactions, IP licensing, M&A, IP litigation, and IP prosecution. As an educator at the University of Texas and the forthcoming author of "Intellectual Property Strategy to the Rescue: Grow a Healthy Company" (slated for publication in August 2024), Mirna generously imparts her proven methodology for constructing impactful IP portfolios. Also, an AI specialist and advocate. Mirna is the CEO of ViziSmart, a PropTech company bringing intelligence to the maintenance of residential and commercial property. Previously the President and COO of a robotics and AI company specializing in innovative supply chain and inventory technology. In her previous role as Global Strategy Manager Counsel at Texas Instruments, Mirna played a pivotal role in supporting the $8 billion Analogue and Video Processing Divisions. Her adept handling of strategic business processes, Fortune-100 negotiations, patent planning, and IP licensing brings invaluable insights. Mirna's extensive background in hardware and software engineering spans a decade, marked by noteworthy contributions to projects at esteemed organizations such as NOAA (NEXRAD), Motorola Inc. (Bluetooth Engineer), and Nielsen Media Research (Mark II Project).
STEVE MIFF PARKLAND CENTER FOR CLINICAL INNOVATION (PCCI)
Dr. Steve Miff is the President and CEO of Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), a leading, non-profit, artificial intelligence and cognitive computing organization affiliated with Parkland Health, one of the country’s largest and most progressive safety-net hospitals. Spurred by his passion to use next-generation analytics and technology to help serve the most vulnerable and underserved residents, Steve and his team focus on leveraging technology, data science, and clinical expertise to obtain unique social-determinants-of-health data and incorporate those holistic, personal insights into point-of-care interventions. Steve was the recipient of The Community Council of Dallas’ 2017 Social Innovator of the Year award, the 2020 Dallas Business Journal Most Inspiring Leader award and the winner of the 2021 DCEO and Dallas Innovates healthcare award. Steve was also named to the 2020 and 2021 Dallas 500 Most Influential Leaders Award. Under his leadership, PCCI was named one of the 2019 Dallas Best Tech Startups by the Tech Tribune and the award recipient for the 2022 Corporate Citizenship Award. He was also named the winner of the Tech Titans Emerging Company CEO Award in 2023. Also, Dallas Innovates and Dallas Regional Chamber named Steve as a Top AI Innovator in its inaugural AI75 list. Steve earned his PhD and MS degrees in biomedical engineering and a BA in economics from Northwestern University. He has been an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering for more than five years and has authored more than 100 thought leadership, white papers, and peer-reviewed publications. He is also the co-author of the 2020 Building Connected Communities of Care book released by HIMSS publishing and Amazon. In 2021, Steve and PCCI’s work have been featured in Time Magazine, NEJM, IHI, HealthLeaders, NPR, CBS, NBC, and many other leading news and scientific venues. Before joining the nonprofit world, Steve served as the General Manager of Sg2, a national advanced analytics and consulting business serving over 1,200 leading healthcare systems, and as the Senior Vice President of clinical strategy, population health, and performance management at VHA (Vizient Inc.). He has also performed in various roles at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and St. Agnes Hospital System. Steve has served on the Senior Board of Examiners for the Baldrige National Quality Program, on the Executive Quest for Quality Prize Board Committee for the American Hospital Association, and as an editor and reviewer for the NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery. He currently participates on multiple other associations and boards, including Health Evolution, Healthcare Executive Forum CEO, and the Northwestern University Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board. Steve is a first generation American and he lives in Dallas with his wife of 26 years and their precocious ten-year old daughter. He is a data and technology geek, an avid sports enthusiast, world traveler, and a self-taught sous-chef and mixologist.
This session will explore how evolving AI trends are reshaping the startup ecosystem, with a focus on how AI-first companies are driving unprecedented valuation growth and investor interest. It will also examine what’s ahead for AI innovation, funding patterns, and the factors that will define the next generation of high-growth startups.
DAVID EVANS SENTIERO VENTURES
David Evans serves as the Managing Partner at Sentiero Ventures, an early-stage venture fund with a focus on artificial intelligence-enabled software businesses. A seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, David began coding at 14 on a TI-85 graphing calculator and launched his inaugural company at 19. His impressive track record includes multiple successful exits as both a founder and investor. Notably, he sold a national digital signage network to CBS and an Inc 500 eCommerce company to a strategic buyer. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, David is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he instructs graduate courses on innovation and entrepreneurship. His commitment to fostering innovation extends beyond academia, as he is a key member of the Mentor Committee of the United Way Social Innovation Accelerator. David also contributes to the North Texas start-up ecosystem as a member of the Steering Committee of Venture Dallas, the leading hub for venture innovation in the region. Additionally, he serves on the Research and Innovation Council for the University of Texas at Dallas and the Deep Technology Innovation Council at the University of North Texas.
JEFF WILLIAMS INTERLOCK PARTNERS
Jeff has more than 25 years of management, operational and investing experience, including over 20 years investing in early and late-stage companies. Collectively, Jeff has managed, sold, and invested over $1 billion into numerous private companies over the past two decades. Currently, Jeff serves as the Founder and Managing General Partner of Interlock Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm focusing on technology companies in the BTB SaaS market, with offices in New York and Dallas. Prior to founding Interlock, Jeff was also a Managing Director for Covera Ventures, a top-quartile performing venture capital firm focused on early stage investing in BTB technology companies. Throughout his career, Jeff has held board positions at numerous private companies, where his strategic insights and venture experience has been instrumental to their success.
Jeff's influence extends beyond the traditional boardroom, as an Advisor and Board member to The University of Texas at Dallas Institute Advisory Board and the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business Venture Fund. He is also a sought-after guest lecturer and speaker, sharing his deep knowledge of venture capital and entrepreneurship with the next generation of business leaders.
Agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making—requires new approaches to deployment and monitoring. This session covers architecture, guardrails, and best practices for scaling agentic systems safely into production environments.
GARRY WISEMAN SABRE
Garry Wiseman is President of Product & Engineering. In this role, Garry oversees innovation and agentic AI initiatives at Sabre.
Prior to his promotion to President, Garry served as the chief product and technology officer of Sabre Travel Solutions. In this role, Garry lead the global product and engineering teams responsible for enabling next-generation retailing, distribution and fulfillment of products. His teams are focused on strategic product investments, roadmap management and end-to-end, go-to-market capabilities – offering innovative solutions that help our clients deliver a consistent customer experience across all channels. Garry initially joined Sabre in 2022 as EVP, chief product officer. Prior to joining Sabre – and over the course of more than two decades – Garry held a variety of key product management roles of increasing responsibility at some of the world’s largest technology companies. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and chief digital officer at Nautilus, Inc., a role he’d held since 2020. Prior to that, Garry was senior vice president of digital customer experience at Dell Technologies, where he guided the company through a rapid digital transformation; establishing a design-centric, customer-first focus, which led to significant year-over-year revenue increases and enhanced customer and employee net promoter scores. Before Dell, he held multiple senior leadership roles across product management, e-commerce and software engineering for global technology companies including Microsoft, eBay and Salesforce. Additionally, he is recognized as an author on eight U.S. patents. Garry studied international business administration at the University of Wolverhampton, and he has previously served on the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Outside of work, Garry enjoys traveling with his wife and two children, running outdoors, metal working and making progress with his electric car conversion project.
KENYON ADEI-MANU CAPITAL ONE
Kenyon Adei-Manu is a product leader building scalable digital platforms and AI-driven customer experiences. At Capital One, he’s led the Auto Navigator platform, SEO, AI Labs, Develop platform. His passion is focusing on solving customer problems that drive significant business outcomes. His work increasingly explores how AI-enabled systems can be deployed safely and scaled into production environments. Previously, he held Search/SEO product roles at Amazon, Carvana, T-Mobile & AT&T.
This session explores how organizations can unlock hidden value within their existing data by structuring, connecting, and enriching it for AI analysis. Attendees will learn practical methods for transforming raw enterprise data into a meaningful knowledge base for AI systems, while examining adoption trends, what is working, what is not, and real world use cases.
JASON PORTER AT&T
Jason is the SVP of Global Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency at AT&T. In his current role, he manages a $70B Supply Chain for AT&T and is responsible for transforming the cost structure of the company. Since the beginning of his career with AT&T in 2002, Jason has held several leadership positions in engineering, strategy, operations, and marketing spanning across the consumer and business customer segments. He has maintained a successful track record of introducing and maturing emerging technologies and transforming businesses. Prior to becoming SVP of Global Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency, Jason led the Public Sector and FirstNet business. FirstNet is the first-ever nationwide, wireless network for first responders. He was responsible for delivering on the 25-year public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, which represents the largest government contract to ever be awarded to a telecommunications provider. Other previous roles include Chief Data Officer and Senior Vice President – Strategic Planning, where he was responsible for global network planning, prioritization of over half of AT&T’s capital spend, design technology, talent enablement and the CDO’s center of excellence for data science, AI and automation. Jason also served as Vice President of Global Technology Planning and Program Management, Vice President of Cybersecurity Operations, Vice President of DevOps for AT&T Partner Solutions over the course of his career.
MANISH WORLIKAR FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Manish Worlikar is an is an industry AI practitioner with more than 25 years of experience across the finance, insurance, and media sectors. Over the course of his career, Manish has led enterprise‑level AI, technology, and analytics initiatives, driving strategic vision and delivered small and large‑scale data‑driven products while managing diverse, international teams. Manish is particularly experienced in AI governance, quant research, end-to-end application development and advanced analytics. Manish is currently the Head of Advanced Analytics and AI at Fidelity Investments, and has previously held positions at State Street, Garrett Asset Management and Susquehanna International Group. He has earned a master’s degree in quantitative finance from Rutgers Business School and regularly participates in AI industry panels and conferences.
Come join us for a casual conversation about OpenClaw and Claude CoWork — two of the most talked-about tools in AI right now. Hear what others are already doing with these tools, share your own experiences, and bring your questions for everyone to discuss. We’ll also discuss potential impact across industries and the key security and governance considerations.
Come celebrate with us as we recognize the 2026 Dallas Innovates AI75 honorees. These are the visionaries, creators, and influencers fueling the growth of artificial intelligence in Dallas-Fort Worth. Happy Hour sponsored by INSPYR Solutions
Collect your event badge, network with your fellow attendees, and explore the exhibit hall and the robot playground.
Get your day started with remarks from the Dallas Regional Chamber’s President & CEO.
BRAD CHEVES DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER
Brad Cheves joined the Dallas Regional Chamber in January 2026 as President and CEO. Prior to joining the DRC, he served as Senior Vice President for Development and External Affairs at Southern Methodist University, where he led the university’s fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement efforts. At SMU, Cheves spearheaded SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, a $1.656 billion comprehensive campaign that surpassed its goal three years early and ranks among the largest in Texas higher education history. Cheves also directed SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign and helped secure the George W. Bush Presidential Center for the SMU campus. Earlier, he served as Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs at Pepperdine University, where he created the university’s first Office of Marketing and modernized its advancement operations. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Cheves is deeply involved in civic life across North Texas. He serves on the boards of Broadway Dallas, the Dallas Assembly, the Dallas Council on Foreign Relations, the Texas Lyceum, the Circle Ten Council of Scouting America, and the Honorary Board and Men’s Advocacy Group of New Friends New Life. He is also an elder at the Preston Road Church of Christ. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cheves earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Abilene Christian University and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has worked with the Texas State Legislature. Cheves and his wife, Angela, have three sons—Kyle, Conner, and Keaton—all of whom are SMU Mustangs.
Most organizations are running AI pilots. Few are changing how they actually work. In this opening keynote, Lee Barrett will hit where AI stands today.. what's coming and what the next 2–3 years will demand of leaders. Drawing on real client examples and emerging trend signals, Lee makes the case that the real challenge isn't just embedding AI and adoption — it's reinvention: redesigning workflows, redefining value, and building the organizational muscle to scale change before competitors do.
LEE BARRETT ACCENTURE
Lee Barrett is a Managing Director at Accenture, leading AI & Data for the Americas across all industries and functions. With over 23 years at Accenture, Lee has focused on helping clients harness data and AI to deliver quantifiable business outcomes. He has led numerous large-scale, end-to-end AI transformations, bridging Business and Technology to enable true business reinvention. Lee played a pivotal role in launching Accenture’s cloud-based AI services platform and holds two patents in this area. A recognized thought leader, he regularly participates in global AI & Data summits, hosts a monthly C-Suite Leadership Forum, delivers keynotes, and contributes to podcasts and articles. Lee is also deeply passionate about Inclusion & Diversity in AI & Data and was honored last year with the Women’s Leader in Data & AI – Ally Award for his advocacy and impact.”
Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services and capital markets. In this keynote conversation, industry leaders will discuss how AI is enabling smarter risk and investment decisions, improving customer experiences, and transforming operations.
LEE BARRETT ACCENTURE
DOUGLAS HAMILTON NASDAQ
Douglas Hamilton heads AI research and engineering at Nasdaq. Doug’s notable achievements at Nasdaq include establishing the first AI-powered strike listing system and launching the first AI-powered order type approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. He has an M.S. in systems engineering from MIT and a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Illinois, Springfield.
ALEX WOODGATE J.P. MORGAN
Alex is a Managing Director and Head of AI & Data Analytics for JPMorgan's Global Investment Bank. He leads both the strategic vision and development of agentic platforms, predictive modelling, and transaction intelligence solutions, driving AI adoption across the firm's investment banking businesses.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, organizations must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent. Explore how AI is changing roles, skills, and workforce strategies, and what leaders can do today to prepare their teams for the future.
KELLEY CORNISH TD JAKES FOUNDATION
Kelley Cornish is the President and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), a workforce development and community building foundation committed to improving the lifelong outcomes for communities and individuals who have limited access to resources and opportunities - www.tdjfoundation.org. Prior to this role, she served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at Wells Fargo & Company where she was the primary liaison between diverse segments and various business lines and support partners. Her work included leading planning, implementing strategy and driving accountabilities for all internal functions supporting efforts across the enterprise. Kelley also served as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the TD Bank Group and led Diversity and Inclusion for AmeriHealth Caritas and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Accomplished in her career, in March 2025, Kelley was officially sworn in as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wiley University, marking a historic milestone as the first woman in the 152-year history of the university to serve in this role. Other recent awards include in 2023, Kelley was recognized as a Women of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine for her remarkable achievements, innovation, and impact in the communities and industries in which she serves as well as in the personal and professional lives of others. In 2022, she received the Woman of the Year Award from iHeartMedia radio recognizing her work in the community and in corporate America. With nearly 4 decades in the workplace, Kelley shares the importance of resetting, self-care and unplugging as a leader in the podcast, Life + Leadership UNPLUGGED with Kelley Cornish heard on all podcast platforms. In addition, true to sharing her life's experiences, Kelley speaks around the country about her career climb, her leadership journey, and creating legacy. Kelley also serves on the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kelley obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina - Aiken in Business Administration and her Masters from Webster University in Human Resource Management. She is currently enrolled in the University of California Berkley’s CEO Program, is a Certified Diversity Professional by Cornell University (CCDP) and has completed course work at the Harvard Kennedy School in strategies for leading and building diverse organizations. Kelley enjoys spending time with two adult sons whenever possible, her extended family and friends, and exploring new ways to live her best life!
TOSAN OJEAHERE THOMSON REUTERS
Tosan Ojeahere is a globally recognized transformation leader who sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human potential, and organizational change. As Vice President of Content Operations & Technology at Thomson Reuters, she leads a high-performing team of content specialists globally, driving one of the most ambitious AI transformation programs in the legal and professional services industry. With a portfolio spanning agentic AI workflows, large-scale automation, and Human-in-the-Loop innovation, Tosan is not just watching the future of work unfold, she is architecting it. A practitioner as much as a strategist, Tosan serves as Program Leader for Thomson Reuters' Internal AI initiative, where she has achieved and sustained 100% AI adoption across her global team, a milestone that reflects her core belief that technology transformation succeeds only when people are brought along, not left behind. Her work spans the full spectrum of AI-powered reinvention: from deploying AI case classification tools, to pioneering agentic orchestration models that are redefining how legal content is created at scale. She has also led the development of AI-specific job profiles and competency frameworks, building the organizational infrastructure for a workforce ready to thrive in an AI-native world. Beyond her operational leadership, Tosan is a voice for inclusive, human-centered transformation. As Co-Chair of Global Women at Thomson Reuters and a member of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2026, she brings a powerful lens to the questions that matter most: Who benefits from AI? Who gets left behind? And what does responsible, equitable adoption actually look like in practice? With over 20 years of transformation leadership across Thomson Reuters, Deloitte, Cisco, and British Telecom and an MBA in Strategy, Tosan brings the rare combination of boardroom credibility, on-the-ground execution, and an unwavering commitment to people-first progress.
LAURA ULLRICH INDEED
Laura Ullrich is Director of Economic Research in North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab. Prior to joining Indeed, Laura served as a Senior Regional Economist and Senior Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, primarily focused on research related to higher education and workforce dynamics. For over a decade, Laura was an economics professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at Winthrop University. Her research interests include higher education, community college policy, labor participation, and the economic impact of local development. She holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Georgia and a master's and doctorate in Economics from the University of Tennessee.
We’ll take a break between sessions to explore our exhibitors and discuss the insights we heard in our first two sessions with fellow attendees. Don’t forget to use this time to choose which Table Talk you want to attend during lunch!
AI is evolving from passive assistants into autonomous engineers that can plan and execute complex tasks. Join leaders from Cognition, the pioneers of autonomous software engineering, and Okta, a leader in agentic identity and security, in a conversation with the Chief Consulting Officer at Improving. Hear how the industry is shifting from humans writing every line of code to a new paradigm where engineers act as architects, delegating work to agents with the trust and authority to deploy production-ready solutions.
CHRIS GUSTAFSON OKTA
As the leader of Okta's Office of the Field CTO for the Americas, Chris Gustafson translates the complex world of digital identity into strategic business advantage. Drawing on three decades of technology leadership, Chris and his team of senior advisors, industry specialists, and architects counsel C-suite executives on leveraging identity as a cornerstone for secure innovation and customer trust. They are dedicated to helping organizations move beyond security as a defensive measure, reimagining it as a catalyst for creating exceptional customer experiences and unlocking new revenue opportunities.
DEVLIN LILES IMPROVING
Devlin Liles, Chief Consulting Officer, at Improving, a modern digital services firm, is a business leader with a deep technical background. His passion and expertise are around leveraging technology to solve the problems facing business. Devlin has an entrepreneurial mindset and has been a core contributor to growth and success of Improving since 2010. Since 2007, he has been presenting and teaching classes on business practices, building company culture, software development, and deep technical topics for large and small audiences around the world, including user groups, conferences, and community events. Devlin’s technical career gained him recognition from some of the top technology companies in the world and was awarded the prestigious Microsoft MVP Award for 6 consecutive years. The MVP award is only awarded to 3,000 technologists’ annually. In addition, he is the co-author, along with his good friend and fellow Improver Tim Rayburn of Entity Framework 4.1 Experts Cookbook. After shifting to a business-centric focus, Devlin has been awarded multiple awards, including the Vistage Leadership Award, finalist for the CEO Impact award, and one of the Most Admired CEOs in Houston in 2019. His organization has won over 100 best places to work awards across North America and been #1 in Houston 4 years consecutively. When he is not in front of a crowd, at his company, or behind a computer Devlin is an avid soccer player and hobbyist gamer.
JEFF WANG COGNITION
Jeff Wang is the CEO of Windsurf (now part of Cognition), the company behind the first agentic IDE. Windsurf has scaled to serve a large and active community of developers, industry partners, and enterprise customers. Prior to Windsurf, he co-founded RocketFuel Education and RNR Capital, held executive roles at several startups, and began his career at Salesforce and Cisco.
Explore how strategic AI deployments are redesigning workflows and delivering measurable return across industries.
DOMINIC MANNING PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES
Dominic is an Account Strategist and Architect at Palantir Technologies with a background in early-stage startups, applied AI, and cognitive neuroscience. He leads the architecture, forward-deployed teams, and outcomes across various manufacturing, energy, insurance, mortgage, CPG, and defense deployments.
NICHOLAS LEE FUJITSU INTELLIGENCE
As CEO of Fujitsu Intelligence, Nicholas leads a premier Data & AI organization across the Americas, overseeing the conception and execution of cutting-edge, ethical, and scalable AI and data strategies that empower businesses to innovate, grow, and achieve meaningful impact. Under his leadership, the organization has delivered transformative outcomes—from proofs-of-concept to full enterprise scale—across diverse industries, all while nurturing a culture of innovation and collaboration. Nicholas has driven the introduction of breakthrough solutions and business models for global clients, grounded in trust, transparency, and responsible AI practices. The distinction of being named one of Dallas–Fort Worth’s Top 18 AI Visionaries (AI 75, Class of 2025) underscores his role in shaping the next generation of AI leaders and technologies.
ANNE MORONI AMERICAN AIRLINES
Anne Moroni is Vice President of Operations Strategic Planning and Performance, where she leads American’s operations strategic planning efforts including crew planning, block planning, schedule reliability improvements and operational readiness. Her team acts as a key partner to the Network planning to develop a profitable and reliable schedule for the airline. She also leads the Operations Performance and Analytics team, focused on driving large scale reliability improvement initiatives for the Operations team through data and business process improvement. Last, Anne leads the Operations Product Management organization for the Operations division, ensuring robust prioritization of technology resources and business value from technology investments across American’s operation. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Operations Finance, supporting a large part of the Operations team and Managing Director of American Eagle, leading the commercial and operational strategy for American’s regional carriers. Anne joined American in 2009 in Financial Planning and Analysis. Since then, she’s served in a variety of roles in Airline Profitability and Analysis, Revenue Management & Analysis, Network Planning, Mainline Operations Planning and Regional Operations Planning & Strategy. Before joining American, Anne served as an auditor at Ernst & Young and worked in investment banking at Societe Generale, where she handled mergers and acquisitions and credit analysis for European and Asian corporations. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris and a Master of Business Administration from the College of William & Mary.
Pick up a boxed lunch, then head to your Table Talk session. If you prefer a quiet lunch, we have open seating, too.
Physical AI is bringing intelligence into the real world through advances in vision, robotics, mobility, and automation. This session explores how AI-powered machines are learning to perceive, move, and operate in complex environments, unlocking new possibilities across industries
DAVE COPPS WORLDS
Dave is CEO and Co-Founder of Worlds. He is known internationally as a futurist, technologist and visionary on the role that emerging technologies will play in transforming markets and the world. Dave has founded and sold two technology companies that pioneered the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in hundreds of companies around the world.
DARYN NAKHUDA WAABI
Daryn Nakhuda, Waabi's Head of Software, has over 25 years of experience in the software industry, both as an engineer as well as a manager and executive leader. He has founded and worked at several early-stage companies, as well as some of the largest in the industry, including Uber and Amazon. Most recently, Daryn was a member of the software leadership team at Aurora Innovation, following Aurora’s acquisition of Uber ATG. Prior to Uber ATG, Daryn was CEO and Co-Founder of Mighty AI, one of the world’s leading data labeling companies, which was acquired by Uber ATG in 2019.
INSIYA LOKHANDWALA COBOT
Insiya Lokhandwala is VP of Business Strategy & Growth at Cobot, where she leads strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. Before joining Cobot, she spent seven years at Andreessen Horowitz building the firm's Go-To-Market Acceleration Platform and partnering with hundreds of founders across AI, fintech, gaming, and the creator economy. Prior to a16z, Insiya held business development and growth roles at Lyft, Google, and YouTube, where she helped launch and scale technologies ranging from autonomous vehicles to Google Glass and YouTube's global content distribution. She brings a track record of turning complex partnerships into repeatable, scalable revenue impact.
DUANE DANKESREITER DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER
Duane Dankesreiter is Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation at the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC). He oversees the research team which is responsible for creating research products that support the DRC’s strategic focus areas. He also leads the DRC’s activities around the launch and growth of innovation in DFW by connecting entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, and the business community. Dankesreiter co-founded Dallas Innovates, the DRC’s online publication covering innovation across Dallas-Fort Worth, was part of a community effort to launch Venture Dallas, an organization focused on connecting venture capital to startups in Dallas-Fort Worth. Dankesreiter joined the DRC in August 2009. He previously led demographic and economic data research efforts at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for 14 years. He serves on numerous boards, including Visit Dallas, UNT Dallas School of Business Executive Board, SMU’s Innovation Council, and serves as Vice President of the Cedar Hill Economic Development Board. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A) degree from the University of Texas - Dallas.
How should the United States approach artificial intelligence policy in a time of rapid technological change and global competition? Sean Fulton, Of Counsel, with DLA Piper will lead a conversation with Dean Ball, former Senior Policy Advisor for AI and Emerging Technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and primary staff drafter of America’s AI Action Plan. They will discuss the vision behind the plan and what it means for the future of U.S. AI policy, governance, and innovation. Ball is now a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation.
DEAN BALL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN INNOVATION
Dean Woodley Ball is a senior fellow at FAI. He most recently served as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Strategic Advisor for AI at the National Science Foundation. Previously he was a Research Fellow in the Artificial Intelligence & Progress Project at George Mason University's Mercatus Center and a Policy Fellow at Fathom. Dean is author of Hyperdimensional. His work focuses on emerging technologies and the future of governance, spanning artificial intelligence, manufacturing innovation, neural technology, bioengineering, technology policy, political theory, public finance, urban infrastructure, and criminal justice reform. Outside of FAI, his scholarship has been published by the Mercatus Center, the Hoover Institution, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Federation of American Scientists, the Manhattan Institute, and American Compass. His writing has appeared in National Affairs, The New Atlantis, Pirate Wires, Lawfare, The Dispatch, The Hill, Tech Policy Press, the Washington Post, the Orange County Register, the Coolidge Quarterly, and National Review. His academic work includes "Neither Harbour nor Floor: Contemplating the Singularity with Michael Oakeshott" in the forthcoming Liberalism Revisited (Palgrave) and "Ideas of Another Order: Michael Oakeshott and Confucius in Conversation" in Collingwood and British Idealism Studies. Prior to his government service, Dean held senior positions at Stanford's Hoover Institution, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, and the Manhattan Institute, where he oversaw the Hayek Book Prize. He also consults on passion projects, including on-the-ground policing reform in Argentina and Chile and the restoration of the Florentine guild system for sacred liturgical art. Dean serves on the Board of Directors of the Alexander Hamilton Institute and was selected as an Aspen Ideas Fellow. He graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College with a B.A. in History and lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Abigail, and their two cats, Io and Ganymede.
SEAN FULTON DLA PIPER
Sean Fulton is a seasoned generalist litigator and has extensive experience counseling and representing multinational companies in "bet-the-firm" state/federal litigation, including products liability/mass torts, securities class actions, employment, antitrust, bankruptcy, and other complex commercial disputes. He has also represented those clients in related regulatory investigations brought by the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and state attorneys general. Those multinational companies include leaders in the automotive, alcohol/spirits, banking, cryptocurrency, e-commerce, energy, manufacturing, and wireless carrier industries. Sean has particular expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and other emerging technologies, and leverages his extensive litigation experience to advise organizations on the risks associated with adopting such technologies. He has advised numerous Fortune 500 organizations on implementing and maturing enterprise-wide AI governance frameworks and designed and led legal red teaming exercises for AI use cases across various industries. Sean also regularly advises clients on risks associated with technology transactions. He is a thought leader on issues at the intersection of technology and the law and regularly publishes and speaks on these areas. In addition to his litigation practice, Sean maintains a significant corporate advisory and transactional practice. He frequently serves as an AI subject‑matter expert on M&A and investment teams, conducting risk‑focused diligence on data assets, algorithmic models, and emerging technology platforms. Sean partners closely with deal counsel to negotiate and structure AI-related provisions, and to develop governance and risk‑mitigation frameworks tailored to technology‑intensive targets. He is regularly called upon by corporate leadership and deal teams to assess AI‑related exposure in high‑value transactions, guide strategic adoption of new technologies, and support post‑closing integration and compliance efforts. Sean also maintains an active pro bono practice. He is currently serving as pro bono counsel for the National Center for Law and Economic Justice in federal impact litigation involving a state's implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He also acted as lead pro bono counsel in a class action brought by tenants against their landlord and an arbitration brought by a charter school against a construction company.
DANNY TOBEY DLA PIPER
Danny Tobey is a trusted advisor to the world's most prominent companies, boards, and governments, guiding them through transformative change and complex risk landscapes. With deep experience in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, Danny provides 360-degree support throughout the technology lifecycle, from strategic planning and deployment to governance, optimization, and investigations and/or litigation defense when issues arise. Renowned for his multidisciplinary experience as a seasoned litigator, medical doctor, and successful software founder, Danny is recognized by the Financial Times as one of the most "consistently impactful" legal practitioners of the past two decades and "a pioneer in the current shift in the practice of law from reactive to proactive." Clients consistently praise his "creativity, insight, and forward-looking solutions to our most difficult problems," with Chambers USA and Chambers Global describing him as "incredibly impressive and unique" and "on the cutting edge of practitioners." The Library of Congress has honored his writing as the "best of the best in the legal profession." As a litigator, Danny has led clients through their most critical disputes and investigations. He played a pivotal role in securing one of the largest product liability victories in pharmaceutical history, successfully arguing key motions in federal Daubert proceedings. Danny achieved a unanimous reversal in a landmark federal Research & Development (R&D) tax case, dramatically increasing his client's return, and represents a leading cancer charity in enforcing its royalty rights for groundbreaking research. He has also delivered precedent-setting results in emerging technology litigation, including the first successful resolution of a Generative AI hallucination lawsuit for a top global technology company and is leading post-settlement remediation in the first major State Attorney General Generative AI settlement. Danny is a sought-after counselor for companies navigating legal risk in the adoption and development of new technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence. Chambers Global Spotlight recognizes him as "by far one of the top leaders and industry experts in AI." His thought leadership has been cited by the United Nations for "profound insights on AI, law, and ethics," and by Oxford for his "crucial" innovations in red-teaming AI for legal risk. Danny has advised at least half of the Fortune 10, as well as most major hyperscalers and innovators, on their most complex AI challenges. Leveraging his medical background, Danny counsels leading life sciences companies on the most advanced biotechnology issues. Chambers USA highlights his "deep subject matter expertise across technology, law, and healthcare and life sciences." He played a key legal role in the global risk management of the first mRNA Covid vaccine and led risk mitigation for the first fully autonomous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved diagnostic device. Danny is a frequent presenter on robotics and AI alongside industry leaders such as Johnson & Johnson. Danny leads a hybrid legal and technical team that harnesses AI to proactively manage risk and prevent emerging issues. His team has developed bespoke, client-specific small language models for proactive compliance, enabling early detection of statutory risk, and has rigorously tested AI systems for consumer protection, product liability, discrimination, and other legal exposures. These innovations have earned his firm recognition for Best Law Firm Use of AI (American Lawyer) and Innovation in New Services to Manage Risk (Financial Times), among other accolades. Deeply committed to community service, Danny has chaired the board of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and served on the executive committees of the Perot Museum of Nature & Science, the Parkland Foundation, and the Yale Law School Association. In 2025, he was elected to the American Law Institute. Danny is also a co-founder of the United Nations' AI for Good Law Track and the AI Law & Justice Institute, reflecting his dedication to advancing the responsible use of technology in society.
Mark Cuban joins us for a moderated conversation on the state of AI, sharing his trademark perspective on what leaders should pay attention to, where caution is warranted, and what the future may bring. Alex Kantrowitz, is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI.
MARK CUBAN COST PLUS DRUGS
Mark Cuban, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, a graduate of Indiana University, and now a Dallas, TX resident has always been an entrepreneur. From selling and trading baseball cards, selling garbage bags and magazines door-to-door, to starting a business buying and selling stamps at age 16, there have been few years in his life when he wasn’t starting or running a business. After graduating from IU, a friend suggested he come to Dallas. Off Mark went to live in “The Village” with five roommates, getting only the floor in the corner of a bedroom as his new “home.” Starting as a bartender, he was not there long before he got a job at one of Dallas’ first retail software stores, Your Business Software. He spent nine months doing everything from learning how to code, supporting and installing every type of business software and of course, making sure the store opened on time. That went well until he made the executive decision to turn over the store opening duties to a peer so he could pick up a check for a sale. He was fired. Mark decided it was time to start on his own, the next day, MicroSolutions was founded… With no money and still sleeping on the floor, Mark was relentless until he found his first customer, Architectural Lighting, who fronted him the money for the software they needed. That advance was all Mark needed. Over the next seven vacationless years, MicroSolutions became a national leader in Systems Integration and custom applications for local and wide area networks, making it near the top of LAN Magazine’s LAN 100. Growing to 80 employees, never having a losing month of operations and nearly $36M in annualized sales, in 1990, MicroSolutions was sold to CompuServe, a subsidiary of H&R Block for $6M. At that point Mark “retired ” to investing in public and private companies. His knowledge of the networking industry led to success and brought returns of 80 percent and more each year. He used that track record to briefly build a hedge fund, for which he got an offer he couldn’t refuse and sold within 12 months. After a brief stint in LA to have fun taking acting classes and doing fortunately long-forgotten commercials and B movies, he returned to Dallas. During a lunch with a college friend, Todd Wagner, they discussed how they might use “this new thing called the internet” to listen to broadcasts of IU basketball games in Dallas–at that time, an impossibility. Using his knowledge of networking and Todd’s extensive background on law and business, they started Audionet.com, the first commercial streaming company in the world. AudioNet grew quickly and soon became Broadcast.com, adding video and much more, going public in July 1998 with what would be the largest first day jump in share valuation in the history of the stock market! Broadcast.com was the largest multimedia site on the internet, without a close second. After being pursued by multiple possible acquisitors, Broadcast.com was sold for $5.7B in stock to Yahoo Inc. Once the deal closed, Mark became concerned that the internet stock boom could become a bust, so he hedged his stock, putting on a long short collar that would go on to be called “one of the top 10 stock market trades of all time.” It was at the same time Mark purchased the Dallas Mavericks for $285M. The Mavs would have the second-best record in the NBA during his ownership tenure, got to the NBA Finals in 2006, and won the World Championship in 2011. Mark changed the nature of ownership of a professional team. He sat with fans. He took a vocal stand on officiating, getting fined millions of dollars. He also led to significant changes in how teams were operated. He was the first to bring in Player Development coaches. At the time he was criticized, but it is now done by every team. He had the NBA change the clear path rule to 2 shots and the ball after showing the league the math behind the incentives to foul. He added mics to the rim of the American Airlines Center, expanded in arena entertainment and fan engagement. He considers his greatest failure during his tenure as Governor of the Mavs to be his inability to help the NBA improve the officiating, despite spending more than $3M in fines. Mark sold majority control of the Mavs in 2023, but continues to be actively involved with the team. In addition to the Mavs, Mark continued to be active as an entrepreneur and investor. Along with Phil Garvin, in 2001, they started HDNet and HDNet Movies, the world’s first all High-Definition TV network. That started the path for Todd Wagner and Mark to focus on building the first fully integrated media and entertainment company. Adding Landmark Theaters, starting 2929 Productions, HDNet Films and Magnolia Pictures, Todd and Mark set a new entertainment path. The first movie Mark personally greenlit, in 12 minutes, all via email, was “Enron: The Smartest Guys In the Room.” It went on to be nominated for an Academy Award. The next movie, from 2929 Productions, was “Good Night and Good Luck,” nominated for six Academy Awards. Mark and Todd teamed to create a variety of firsts: the first movie released on TV, theaters, and on DVD, came from 2929 Productions, as were the first movies released to hotels branded as “While in Theaters.” Landmark Theaters was sold in 2019, HDNet not long after. Magnolia Pictures and 2929 continue to thrive. Mark’s accomplishments extended to other areas as well. He first appeared as a “Shark” on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit business show “Shark Tank” in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular and tough Sharks throughout his tenure, investing millions of dollars in hundreds of small businesses. He’s been nominated nine times for an Emmy for “Shark Tank,” which includes four times for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Competition Program and won the Emmy as an Executive Producer in 2024 for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The vast number of companies he’s invested in are featured on www.markcubancompanies.com. His last appearance on the program will be during season 16 in May 2025. In 2015, in response to vestibular issues he was experiencing, he partnered with the doctors who currently operate DizzyAndVertigo.com to integrate Vestibular Rehabilitation software and VR Goggles to create a solution that offers an alternative to special devices that cost $190K. The solution continues to be used and has helped thousands of people get relief from dizziness. In 2019, Mark co-founded Costplusdrugs.com. Its launch on Jan 19, 2022, with transparent pricing and a limited markup, has fundamentally changed the pricing of medications in the USA. Other awards Mark has earned include being named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame, the Horatio Alger Award, the SXSW Hall of Fame, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and GQ Man of the Year. He is married and lives in Dallas with his wife and three children.
ALEX KANTROWITZ BIG TECHNOLOGY
Alex Kantrowitz is a veteran journalist who's interviewed the world’s top AI CEOs, including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Mark Zuckerberg. His company, Big Technology, serves more than 100,000 newsletter subscribers and registers millions of annual podcast downloads, delivering accessible news about tech, business, and AI. He's also an on-air contributor at CNBC and the author of Always Day One: How The Tech Titans Plan To Stay On Top Forever.
End the day with a drink and light bites. Be sure to say hi to an AI 75 honoree and ask about what they’re doing in the space!
10Pearls | AptaCloud | Capsher Technology | Cloudflare | Communities Foundation of Texas | Dallas College | Glean | Island | Justworks | Plug and Play | Sentiero Ventures | Texas Christian University |
Texas Woman’s University | University of North Texas | University of Texas at Arlington | USAA | WhitegloveAI
Address: 500 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, Texas 75039
Parking: An 800-space parking structure is attached to the facility and additional parking is available within walking distance.
Download a printable parking map with driving directions
Hotels: There are numerous hotels nearby, including the attached Westin Irving Convention Center Las Colinas and the Texican Court, directly across the street. For a full list of area hotels visit https://www.irvingtexas.com/hotels/
