Agenda

conference

AGENDA

As AI technologies surge forward at an unprecedented pace, Texas stands at the epicenter of this transformative wave—redefining work, education, and social interaction. But with great opportunity comes a critical challenge: How can Texas harness AI’s power, manage its risks, and lead the world into an AI-driven future?

WELCOME TO TEX AI

Live from ACL…

7:30-8:00 AM — Registration and Breakfast Open

8:00-8:10 AM — Welcome from the Texas Lyceum
For 45 years, the Lyceum has promoted civil discourse around the state’s most pressing challenges.

Laolu Davies-Yemitan, Principal, Five Woods Realty
Steven Pedigo, Assistant Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Jen Wilder, Founder and CEO, Wilder Horizons
Crayton Webb, Owner and CEO, Sunwest Communications

8:10-8:25 AM — Welcome to Austin
Austin provides the ideal backdrop for shaping Texas’s AI-driven future.

Introduction: Cris Turner, Global Head of Knowledge and Info. Products, Google
The Honorable Kirk Watson, Mayor, City of Austin

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF AI

8:25-8:45 AM — AI: From Inception to Acceleration
AI’s recent acceleration is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace.

Amina Al Sharif, Generative AI Lead, Google Public Sector

8:45-9:30 AM — From Diagnosis to Design: How AI is Revolutionizing Our Future
AI innovations are reshaping health diagnosis, automation, and the future of construction and infrastructure design.

Introduction: Christopher Rios, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact, Wells Fargo
Moderator: Thomas Miranda, General Partner, Topline Ventures
Gerardo Interiano, SVP of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Aurora
Steve Meier, Head of Innovation, Kung Fu AI
Derek Schell, Vice President of Digital Services, AECOM
Cris Turner, Global Head of Knowledge and Information Products, Google

9:30-10:15 AM — The Great AI Debate: Promise or Peril?
Is AI a transformative force for good, or does it pose risks too significant to ignore?

Introduction: Laura Cabanilla, Corporate Social Responsibility Director, USAA
Moderator: Craig Watkins, Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor and the Executive Director of the IC² Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Nicole Beebe, Melvin Lachman Endowed Chair Professor, Information Systems and Cyber Security Assistant Vice President, Faculty Research Development, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Amanda Crawford, Chief Information Officer, State of Texas
Vivek Mohindra, SVP, Corporate Strategy, Dell Technologies
Nicol Turner Lee, Director of Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution

10:15-10:30 AM — AI Meets Automation: Revolutionizing National Defense
How are AI and automation redefining defense strategies and securing the future of national security?

Casey Perley, Executive Director, Army Applications Laboratory

THE NEED FOR POLICY

10:30-11:00 AM — Texas Lyceum Fellows: Best Practices in AI Governance
What does effective AI governance look like in practice?

Introduction: Victor Sanez, Associate Dean, UT College of Education
Moderator: Sherri Greenberg, Assistant Dean for State and Local Government Engagement, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin
Melissa Ionson, 2025 Texas Lyceum Fellow
Nicloe Roy, 2025 Texas Lyceum Fellow
Joe Eduard Rucke, 2025 Texas Lyceum Fellow

11:00-11:45 AM — Under the Dome: Shaping Texas AI Policy Together
How can Texas lead in shaping AI’s future and protect the rights and privacy of Texans?

Introduction: Caroline Joiner, Regional Policy Leader, Amazon
Moderator: David Brown, Host, The Texas Standard
The Honorable Giovanni Capriglione, Representative and Chairman, Texas House of Representatives and House Committee on Artificial Intelligence
The Honorable Tan Parker, Senator, Texas Senate

11:45-12:30 PM — The Texas Grid and AI: Can We Handle It?
Can the state’s power grid meet the growing demand?

Introduction: Jerrod Jones, Senior Public Affairs Advisor, Apache
Moderator: John Dickson, CEO, Bytewhisper Security
Joshua D. Rhodes, Research Scientist, Webber Energy Group, University of Texas at Austin
Woody Rickerson, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ERCOT
Jonathan Tijerina, VP of Corporate Development, CPS Energy

12:30-1:30 PM — Lunch
Grab some lunch and network with your colleagues.

1:00-1:30 PM — The TexAI Moment
Can Texas and its flagship public universities lead the AI revolution?

Introduction: Jonathan Childress, U.S. Philanthropies Western Lead, Microsoft
Moderator: Judy Maggio, Journalist and Founder, Judy Maggio Media
Jay Hartzell, President, The University of Texas at Austin
Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, Texas A&M University

1:30-2:30 PM — 60-Minute Break
Take some time to check emails, return calls, and make your way to the Capital Factory.

AI AND YOU: NAVIGATING THE FUTURE

Live from the Capital Factory…

2:30-4:00 PM — Spotlight on Texas AI

Deep Fakes, the Dark Side and DoD Needs
AI’s darker side presents growing risks, from the rise of deepfakes and misinformation to critical vulnerabilities. Explore solutions to shore up vulnerabilities as well as AI tools to support national defense and cybersecurity.

Participating Companies:

Pete Carroll, Founder and Chairman, ValidSoft
Jacob Cordova, CEO, BrightYeti
Dave Copps, CEO and Co-Founder, Worlds
Mauricio Iglesias, CEO, Batazo
Abigail Maines, Chief Revenue Officer, Hidden Layer
Allen Phelps, Founder, IPTalons
Brenda Stoner, CEO and Co-Founder, ByteTrail

Fireside Chat: AI’s Role in Strategic Defense
How is AI shaping defense for the U.S. and its adversaries?

Moderator: Joseph Kopser, President Grayline Group
Lieutenant General Miles Brown, Deputy Commanding General, US Army Futures Command

Revolutionizing Learning and Healing
Hear from Texas-based AI companies at the forefront of transforming education and healthcare.

Participating Companies:

Ramses Alcaide, CEO, Neurable
Rick Barkley, Founder and CEO, Everlume Bio
Kathleen Bauman, SVP of Product, Senseye
Connor Glass, Founder and CEO, Phantom Neuro
Mark Jamison, Regional Account Executive, Khan Academy
Eric Kildebeck, Senior Vice President of Education, Pedegree Studios
Drew Ladner, Chairman and CEO, Pascal Metrics
Hannah McKenny, CEO and Co-Founder, Starling Medical
Ganesh Padmanabhan, Founder and CEO, Autonomize

4:00-5:00 PM — Happy Hour and AI Start-Up Crawl
Enjoy the Happy Hour and AI Start-Up Crawl powered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | C1 Innovation Lab.

Companies demonstrating include:

5:00-6:30 PM — Break

WHAT'S AHEAD ON AI FRONTIER?

Live from ACL…

6:30-7:00 PM — Reception
Connect with fellow Texas Lyceum Directors and conference attendees.

7:00-8:30 PM — Dinner
Enjoy dinner and drinks with your colleagues.

Welcoming Remarks: Luis Patiño, President and CEO, PBS Austin

7:30-8:30 PM — Robots and Our Future: A One-on-One with Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas
Robots are no longer just the future—they’re reshaping our world and opening a new frontier.

Introduction: Michael Webster, President, Houston Community College Southwest
Moderator: Joshua Baer, Founder and CEO, Capital Factory
Jeff Cardenas, CEO, Apptronik

SOUNDS OF AUSTIN

8:30-11:00 PM — Hospitality Suite
Gather for fellowship, networking, and live music from Graham Wilkinson, Rob Baird, and their bands.

ACL LIVE

310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd.
Austin, TX 78701