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

In this discussion, Sid Sheth, CEO and co-founder of d-Matrix, shares insights from his extensive semiconductor experience. He emphasizes that AI inference represents a transformative opportunity, driving productivity unlike any previous tech shift. Sid explains how more efficient, smaller models are key to AI's scalability and why a talent shortage could impede progress. He also discusses the need for purpose-built AI chips and highlights D-Matrix's innovative approach to integrating into existing data centers.

This special reflection dives into how AI is reshaping the workplace. Experts discuss the importance of human-centered skills like empathy and leadership. AI is viewed as a co-pilot for enhancing productivity, not a replacement. A focus on sustainable AI systems is emphasized over unrealistic forecasts. Trust within organizations is crucial, aligning incentives for mutual success. The redefining of workplace greatness is explored, with automation creating 'super workers.' Finally, AI's role in personalized learning is highlighted, freeing educators to enhance connections.

Darrick Horton, CEO and co-founder of TensorWave, shares insights from his journey in AI infrastructure. He discusses the strategic decision to choose AMD over Nvidia, highlighting how this choice created a competitive edge in a GPU-constrained market. Horton explains why training clusters offer greater versatility than inference clusters and the advantages of NeoClouds like TensorWave in innovation speed. He warns about potential power limits impacting AI scaling and reflects on the importance of optimizing for green energy and the future of hardware architecture.

Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, previously transformed Box into a multi-product juggernaut. He shares insights on how Cisco is evolving into an AI-first company, stressing the urgency of embracing AI across all jobs. Jeetu discusses constraints like power and data that hinder enterprise AI adoption and highlights the growing importance of human skills in the AI era. He also emphasizes building trust with employees and predicts that AI will soon solve previously unsolvable challenges, enabling innovative solutions.

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.