Leaders In AI Summit Austin 2025

Download brochure Apply for Your Seat Here

Our Summit's

Leaders In AI SUmmit Austin

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

February 24th-25th

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Featured Speakers

Anh Selissen

Chief Information Officer

Stanley Samuel

Director, AI and Automation

Elizabeth Sartin

Chief Product Officer

Melvin Greer

Chief Data Scientist

Christopher Bennett

CTO, Global AI and Data

Vicki Zheng

SAP Business AI GTM Strategy Principal

Jeff Moore

Chief Information Security Officer

Ari Kaplan

Head of Evangelism

Austin 2025 Agenda

1:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Shoal Creek Room Inside Omni Barton Creek Resort

Day 1 WorkShop Series - Invite Only

Day 1 of the Leaders In AI Summit Austin 2025 will be held in the stunning Texas Hill Country at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. This invite-only segment of the summit is designed for a select group of senior executives to participate in deep discussions, practical insights, and valuable networking opportunities. The workshop provides an intimate and focused environment specifically tailored for high-level decision-makers within the AI community. Attendance is strictly by invitation to ensure meaningful engagement and impactful conversations.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Session Location

Workshop

Governance in AI Deployment: Balancing Innovation and Control

In the rapidly evolving technology landscape, balancing innovation with control is crucial for successful AI deployment. This session will focus on empowering stakeholders to drive AI initiatives that align with business goals by building internal governance frameworks that foster transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment with responsible AI usage.

What You Will Learn:

Developing Internal Governance Frameworks:

Learn about building governance structures that support innovation while maintaining strategic control. Understand how to establish internal guidelines and frameworks that empower your teams to innovate responsibly.

Identifying Gaps in AI Roadmaps:

Discover often-overlooked areas within your organization’s AI strategy. This includes identifying governance gaps that could impact AI initiatives and understanding how to close them effectively.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Examine the importance of involving diverse teams from across your organization in AI projects. Learn how cross-functional governance can help mitigate risks and ensure alignment across departments.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Session Location

Roundtable

Executive Roundtable:
Responsible AI: Governance, Ethics, and Safety

As AI technologies continue to evolve, robust data governance and ethical AI practices are more important than ever. This roundtable will delve into the development and implementation of data governance frameworks, privacy and compliance issues, and ethical considerations in AI deployment. Participants will discuss how to ensure AI safety and build public trust through responsible AI usage.

What You Will Learn:

Developing Internal Governance Frameworks:

Discover how to build governance structures that balance innovation with accountability. Learn to create internal guidelines that empower teams to innovate responsibly while maintaining strategic control.

Identifying Gaps in AI Roadmaps:

Uncover overlooked areas in your organization's AI roadmap, including potential governance gaps. Gain insights on how to address these challenges to strengthen your AI initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Understand the importance of involving diverse teams in AI projects. Learn how cross-departmental collaboration enhances risk mitigation, aligns objectives, and strengthens governance.

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Bob's Chophouse Main Bar

Day 1 Reception

Cocktail RECEPTION

Beverage Menu:

Premium Spirits:

‍Tito’s Vodka

Balcones Whiskey

Tequila 512

Gosling's Rum

Hendrick’s Gin

Craft Beers:

Karbach Ranch Water

Karbach Love Street

Elegant Wines and Champagne:

‍Sauvignon Blanc: Kim Crawford

Prosecco: Lunetta

Chardonnay: La Crema

Pinot Noir: Mark West

Cabernet: Columbia Crest - Grand Estates

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Bob's ChopHouse

The Future of Intelligence:
Co-Pilots, Data, & Decisions

Location:

Following The Pre-Summit Day Workshop, we will be hosting an exclusive invite only Think Tank Dinner at Bob 's Chophouse which is next door.
Inside the Omni Barton Creek's Banquet Area

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Session Location

Arrivals & REGISTRATION

Start your Leaders In AI Summit experience by checking in at the Leaders in AI Summit hosted at the luxurious Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Our VIP Registration Team will greet you in the lobby with your VIP badges and a complimentary gift bag. Enjoy artisian coffee, tropical fruit, and pastries while you prepare for an exciting day of insights and exclusive networking.

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Main Stage

Opening Remarks

Kick off the summit with opening remarks from Robert Jaggers, CEO of the Institute for AI Transformation, as he introduces the themes and priorities for the day ahead. This brief session will lead into our opening panel, setting the focus for impactful discussions to follow.

9:10 AM - 9:50 AM

Main Stage

Opening Panel

Crafting an Enterprise-Wide AI Strategy:
Overcoming Pilot Failures and Scaling to Production

As AI becomes a cornerstone of innovation, organizations are under pressure to move beyond experimentation and deliver tangible business results. Yet, according to our research, 86% of AI pilot projects fail to scale, leaving senior executives facing challenges such as stalled ROI, resource misalignment, and skills gaps in critical areas like Python development. These failures not only delay progress but often lead to wasted investments, lost jobs, and eroding stakeholder trust in AI’s potential. This session will address the hard truths behind why AI projects falter and explore practical, enterprise-wide strategies to overcome these roadblocks.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience

Understand the Root Causes of Pilot Failures:

Learn why most AI projects stall at the pilot stage, including organizational misalignment, unmet ROI expectations, and skills shortages, and discover strategies to address these pain points effectively.

Develop an effective Enterprise-Wide Framework for Scaling AI:

Gain insights into embedding AI initiatives within business units, fostering ownership, and aligning projects with strategic goals to achieve production-ready success.

Maximize ROI and Resource Efficiency:

Explore how to optimize limited technical resources, improve AI project alignment with baseline production requirements, and ensure sustainable ROI to justify further AI investments.

Christopher Bennett

CTO, Global AI and Data Solutions

Anh Selissen

Chief Information Officer

Moderator

Bruce Monaco

Co-Founder / Head of Research

Melvin Greer

Intel Fellow and Chief Data Scientist

Sailesh Bharathwaaj

Head of AI Center of Excellence

9:50 AM - 10:30 AM

Main Stage

Featured Panel

AI with a Human Touch: Enhancing GenAI Through Human-in-the-Loop Systems

This panel will examine how human expertise and training data play a pivotal role in shaping Generative AI systems. This panel will explore how human input—through methods like reinforcement learning and hybrid architectures—refines model accuracy, addresses bias, and improves ethical compliance. Industry leaders will share strategies for balancing automation with human oversight to enhance decision-making processes, scale responsibly, and ensure that AI systems remain aligned with organizational and societal values.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience

Refining AI Outputs with Human Expertise:

Understand how human-in-the-loop systems improve the quality, accuracy, & reliability of GenAI by integrating human judgment into training & decision-making processes.

Scalable and Ethical AI Oversight:

Explore strategies for implementing human-in-the-loop practices that address bias, hallucinations, and ethical risks while maintaining efficiency and scalability in AI systems.

Advancing AI Governance and Leadership:

Learn how human oversight frameworks, including reinforcement learning and hybrid architectures, can empower leaders to ensure responsible and trustworthy AI deployment at scale.

Vasagi Kothandapani

President, Enterprise Services, RWS

Quang Ton

Head Of Business Intelligence

Vicki Zheng

SAP Business AI GTM Strategy Principal

Eric Poon

VP, Head of Technology and Digital Information

Moderator

Bruce Monaco

Co-Founder / Head of Research

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Atrium

Opening Networking Break

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Main Stage

Featured Panel

Innovate or Become Obsolete:
Breaking The Chains Of Legacy IT

On our third panel discussion, we will have a powerful exploration of how organizations can navigate the complexities of change management, cultural transformation, and workforce evolution in the age of AI. This featured panel will challenge senior executives to rethink traditional models of leadership and embrace the cultural and structural shifts necessary to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Featuring insights from industry leaders, this session will address how enterprises can break free from legacy systems—not just in technology, but in mindset—and reskill or upskill their teams to drive innovation.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience

Resource Allocation in the AI Era:

Discover how AI changes the way organizations allocate resources. Learn about the shift from traditional resource-intensive projects to more agile, AI-driven initiatives that optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

Overcoming Pilot Failures:

Explore the challenges of AI implementation, including the high failure rates of AI pilots. Panelists will share insights on why 86% of AI projects fail within the first 18 months and provide strategies to improve success rates through better planning, execution, and iteration.

Reskilling and Upskilling Leaders:

Examine the critical need for re-skilling and up-skilling leaders to manage AI-driven change. Learn about the new skills and competencies required to lead in an AI-driven world, and how to foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

Lindsay Mico

Head of Data Science

Elizabeth Sartin

Chief Product Officer

Justin King

Principal Product Marketing Manager – Enterprise AI

Ari Kaplan

Head Evangelist

Moderator

Bruce Monaco

Co-Founder / Head of Research

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Atrium

Lunch Hosted By the
institute for ai transformation

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

TABLES 1-12

Executive Roundtable Discussions

Executive Roundtables Option 1

Unlocking Value: Measuring AI ROI in Enterprises

Understanding the return on investment (ROI) for AI initiatives is crucial for justifying expenditures and demonstrating value to stakeholders. This roundtable will focus on methodologies and frameworks for accurately measuring the ROI of AI projects, considering both tangible and intangible benefits. Participants will discuss best practices for aligning AI investments with business goals and ensuring that AI deployments deliver measurable business value.

Discussion Points:
Table Numbers: 1, 4, 7

Measuring Tangible Benefits:

Techniques for quantifying direct financial gains from AI initiatives, such as cost reductions, increased revenue, and efficiency improvements.

Evaluating Intangible Benefits:

Methods for assessing intangible benefits like improved customer satisfaction, enhanced decision-making capabilities, and innovation acceleration.

ROI Frameworks:

Overview of various frameworks and models used to calculate AI ROI, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Value-at-Risk (VaR) assessments.

Aligning AI with Business Goals:

Strategies for ensuring that AI projects are closely aligned with organizational objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Executive Roundtables Option 2

Responsible AI: Governance, Ethics, and Safety

Discussion Points:
Table Numbers: 2, 5, 8

Framework Development:

Learn how to develop and implement robust data governance frameworks that ensure data quality, integrity, and accessibility.

Privacy and Compliance:

Address the complexities of data privacy and compliance, and explore strategies for maintaining regulatory standards in AI initiatives.

Ethical AI Deployment:

Engage in discussions on mitigating biases in AI models, ensuring transparency, and promoting ethical AI practices.

AI Safety:

Discuss best practices for ensuring AI safety, including risk management strategies and the development of safety protocols.

Executive Roundtables Option 3

Future-Proofing Your Business with AI

Preparing your business for the future involves adopting and integrating AI technologies that can scale and evolve with emerging trends. This roundtable will focus on strategies for building scalable AI infrastructure, optimizing AI performance, and navigating multi-cloud environments.

Discussion Points:
Table Numbers: 3, 6, 9

Infrastructure Optimization:

Explore strategies for building and scaling AI infrastructure that can handle growing data and processing demands efficiently.

Performance Enhancements:

Discuss methods for optimizing the performance and efficiency of AI workloads, including leveraging edge computing and hybrid cloud solutions.

Enterprise Integration:

Examine best practices for integrating AI seamlessly across various enterprise functions, from R&D to supply chain management.

Navigating Multi-Cloud Environments:

Learn how to effectively manage AI operations across multiple cloud platforms, ensuring flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness.

Long-Term Scalability:

Develop strategies for future-proofing AI infrastructure to adapt to technological advancements and evolving business needs.

Executive Roundtables Option 4

The Impact Of Humans On The Gen AI Fine-Tuning Process

Understanding the role of human expertise in shaping and fine-tuning Generative AI models is critical for achieving balanced and responsible AI outcomes. This roundtable will explore the human-centric aspects of AI fine-tuning, including ethical considerations, collaborative approaches, and strategies to enhance model reliability.

Discussion Points:
Table Numbers: 7, 10

Human Collaboration in AI Fine-Tuning:

Analyze the interplay between human expertise and machine learning in improving Generative AI model performance and aligning outputs with specific use cases.

Ethical Considerations:

Examine the ethical responsibilities involved in leveraging human feedback for AI fine-tuning, including addressing bias and ensuring inclusivity.

Model Reliability and Performance:

Explore how human-in-the-loop processes enhance the accuracy, reliability, and robustness of Generative AI systems.

Workforce Development:

Discuss strategies for upskilling teams to effectively collaborate with Generative AI systems and contribute to fine-tuning efforts.

Future Roles of Humans in AI Development:

Envision the evolving role of human experts in shaping AI systems to meet dynamic business and societal needs.

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

Main Stage

Present Your executive roundTables Findings

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

Session Location

Afternoon Networking Break

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Main Stage

Featured Panel

Guardians of the Digital Galaxy:
Navigating Cybersecurity in the AI Era

Join us for “Guardians of the Digital Galaxy: Navigating Cybersecurity in the AI Era,” a crucial panel discussion that dives into the intricate and evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This session will take you through the transformative landscape of digital security, from its rudimentary beginnings to the complex AI-driven challenges of today.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience

Evolving Threat Landscape:

Discover how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, introducing advanced protective measures while also presenting new sophisticated threats. Understand the dynamics of this evolving threat landscape and the innovative defenses being developed to counteract these challenges.

Innovative Strategies and Ethical Challenges:

Explore cutting-edge AI solutions for enhancing cybersecurity and delve into the ethical complexities that arise with AI’s integration into digital defense. Discuss the balance between leveraging AI for security and addressing the moral dilemmas it presents.

Enhancing Cyber Resilience:

Learn about the tools and practices necessary to build a robust cyber defense framework capable of adapting to the rapid advancements in AI technology. Discover strategies for maintaining resilience in the face of continuous AI-driven threats and attacks.

Preparing for the Future:

‍Gain insights into how cybersecurity strategies must evolve to address AI-centric threats. Learn about the potential impact of AI on future cybersecurity policies and the proactive measures needed to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field.

Jeff Moore

Chief Information Security Officer

Jesse Scott

Global Head of Cybersecurity

John B. Sapp, Jr

Chief Information Security Officer

Moderator

Bruce Monaco

Co-Founder / Head of Research

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Main Stage

Featured Panel

Bridging the Gap: AI Centers of Excellence in Healthcare

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations often struggle to align business stakeholder ideas with AI initiatives effectively. This session, “Bridging the Gap: AI Centers of Excellence in Healthcare,” will explore strategic approaches to integrating stakeholder input into AI projects, ensuring that these initiatives generate significant value and align with overarching organizational goals. Industry experts will provide insights on fostering collaboration between AI Centers of Excellence and business units, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and cross-functional synergy.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience

Resource Allocation in the AI Era:

Overcoming Pilot Failures:

Explore the challenges of AI implementation, including the high failure rates of AI pilots. Panelists will share insights on why 90% of AI projects fail within the first 18 months and provide strategies to improve success rates through better planning, execution, and iteration.

Reskilling and Upskilling Leaders:

Examine the critical need for reskilling and upskilling leaders to manage AI-driven change. Learn about the new skills and competencies required to lead in an AI-driven world, and how to foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

Moderator

James Zanewicz

Chief Strategy Officer

Stanley Samuel

Director, AI and Automation

Greg Kuhnen

System Director, Analytical Solutions

Mayank Kumar

Director of Data Science

4:15 PM - 4:50 PM

Main Stage

Featured Panel

Generative AI at the Airport:
Transforming Operations and Navigating Challenges

As one of the busiest airports in the world, DFW Airport is harnessing AI, ML, and LLM to optimize operations, improve decision-making, and enhance the passenger experience. This session will explore DFW’s strategic AI/ML initiatives, including:

AWARE (Advanced Warning and Resource Exchange), a real-time early warning system that integrates 20+ data sources, to predict congestion, highlight disruptions, automate signage, and guide response efforts.
Data-driven improvements, from an AI-enhanced data dictionary in Snowflake to sentiment analysis that uncovers trends in passenger experience.
AI-powered chatbots and wayfinding, ensuring travelers and employees have access to real-time information.
Automation and AI copilots, for DFW Employees and Digital Twin Program streamlining workflows, providing improvements to asset management, and predictive maintenance for critical airport systems.
AI-powered infrastructure monitoring, including DFW Digital Twin and crowdsourcing data for road surface management and leak detection from satellite GPR imagery.

Key Learning Objectives for the Audience