AI and the Future of Work: Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace, Business, Ethics, HR, and IT for AI Enthusiasts, Leaders and Academics

In this special discussion, legal minds Robert Plotkin, a patent attorney focused on AI and IP rights, and Jim McKenna, Fenwick & West's CIO, delve into how AI reshapes legal frameworks. Scott Stevenson from Spellbook emphasizes the importance of lawyer oversight in AI tools, while Rafie Faruq from Genie AI highlights contract accuracy and risk management. Tamara Steffens at Thomson Reuters predicts a shift in junior legal roles as automation takes over routine tasks, showcasing AI's transformative impact on the legal profession.

Faraj Aalaei, Founder and CEO of Cognichip, is a semiconductor innovator with a rich entrepreneurial background. In this discussion, he highlights the slow pace of chip development compared to the rapid growth of AI applications. Faraj explains how AI can democratize chip design, allowing smaller teams to create customized hardware. He emphasizes AI's role in enhancing engineers' productivity while maintaining human oversight. The conversation also explores tackling the engineering talent shortage and the importance of explainability in AI-driven design.

Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, shares insights from his journey reimagining presentations, growing to 50 million users in just two years. He discusses how the company prioritizes user pain points over competition, using lessons from Optimizely to foster a culture of experimentation. Grant elaborates on his belief that AI should be a design partner, enhancing human creativity rather than replacing it. He also addresses the importance of building trust in generative AI, transparency, and community involvement during challenging times.

Dennis Kozak, CEO of Ivanti, brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at CA Technologies and Avaya. In this conversation, he explores the convergence of cybersecurity and IT operations, highlighting how Ivanti positions itself at the forefront of this shift. Kozak discusses the transformative potential of generative AI in IT support, emphasizing automation's role in reducing cybersecurity risks. He also addresses concerns about job impacts, advocating for AI's capability to enhance roles rather than eliminate them, alongside the importance of continuous learning for IT professionals.

Jim Curry, the co-founder and CEO of BuildGroup and a former Rackspace and OpenStack visionary, shares insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital. He believes in supporting mission-driven founders with slower capital approaches and discusses how AI will reshape fundraising. Jim highlights the importance of community-driven innovation and how lessons from the cloud era can inform AI startups today. He also explores what makes a great entrepreneur in 2025 and the promising gaps in AI go-to-market strategies.

In this special discussion, Peter Voss, CEO of Aigo.ai and AGI pioneer, explores defining AGI and the limitations of large language models. Babak Hodjat, CTO at Cognizant and co-creator of Siri, highlights the importance of embodiment in understanding intelligence. Pankaj Kedia, founder of 2468 Ventures, offers insights on the societal shifts AGI might bring, like democratizing creativity and redefining work. Together, they delve into the future of human-like machines and the ethical implications that arise.

George Maddaloni, Executive Vice President and CTO at Mastercard, shares insights from his extensive tech leadership background. He discusses the importance of trust and innovation within the complex payments landscape. The conversation highlights Mastercard's decade of AI experience, emphasizing how it transformed fraud detection and boosted employee comfort with new technology. Maddaloni envisions a future where payments are faster and nearly invisible through next-gen tech like wearables and edge computing, positioning Mastercard to compete with innovative startups.

Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist and bestselling author, delves into the dynamics of trust and belonging in teams. He reveals why individual IQ fails to predict group success and how psychological safety can enhance collective intelligence. Levy discusses the role of AI in reshaping team dynamics and the importance of designing environments that foster collaboration. He emphasizes the significance of 'glue players' and the unique attributes that multiply a team's impact, paving the way for a new approach to leadership in a tech-driven world.

In a captivating discussion, Tracy Layney, a seasoned HR leader and former CHRO at Levi’s, Gap, and Shutterfly, shares her unique career path from English major to HR strategist. She emphasizes the synergy between excellence and heart-centered leadership in fostering workplace culture. Tracy explores how AI transforms HR, urging leaders to build transparency and trust during uncertainties. With insights into mental health and the evolving role of AI, she highlights the need for adaptable, values-driven leadership in an ever-changing landscape.

Sean Williams, Founder and CEO of AutogenAI, which recently raised $40 million, shares insights on transforming proposal writing with AI. He discusses how AutogenAI slashes proposal creation from days to hours, emphasizing that AI amplifies storytelling rather than fabricating truths. They delve into the ethical implications of AI in high-stakes industries, the importance of transparency, and why regulatory governance is essential. Sean highlights the potential job transformation rather than elimination and predicts ongoing debates about AI's role in the future.