Keynote Addresses
January 7, 2026 | 12:45pm – 1:50pm
Rama Akkiraju
Vice President – AI/ML for IT, NVIDIA
Title:
From LLMs to Living Systems: Applying Systems Science to Agentic AI in the Enterprise
Abstract:
Enterprise AI is transitioning from simple single-LLM flows to complex agentic ecosystems—adaptive systems composed of multiple agents, tools, governed data, human workflows, and organizational policies. This keynote introduces a systems-science framework for designing and managing such ecosystems using principles of modularity, control, feedback, robustness, and socio-technical alignment.
We illustrate these concepts through practical examples drawn from real-world deployments of agentic AI systems within our enterprise—covering problem framing and task decomposition, model and tool selection, governed data access with role-based guardrails, deterministic scaffolding and orchestration, and SLO-driven optimization for quality, latency, and cost.
The framework emphasizes end-to-end observability through logging and tracing, alongside engineered feedback loops—data flywheels—that sustain performance and prevent regression. It also addresses critical failure modes such as brittle retrieval pipelines, unbounded tool execution, model drift, and hidden coupling. We conclude with proven mitigation strategies to help organizations evolve agentic AI from prototype experimentation into dependable, scalable enterprise infrastructure.
Bio:
Rama Akkiraju is the Vice President of Enterprise AI at NVIDIA, where she leads the AI-at-NVIDIA mission to build Agentic AI platforms and AI agents that enhance employee productivity and drive business and operational effectiveness.
Previously, Rama was an IBM Fellow, Master Inventor, and CTO of IBM Watson AIOps. Over her career, she has led the design and development of enterprise AI products spanning generative and agentic AI, machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, human-computer interaction (HCI), decision support systems, business process management, and semantic web services.
A TED AI speaker and W3C standards contributor, Rama has co-authored more than 100 technical papers, holds over 50 patents, and has received multiple academic and industry honors. Her recognitions include four best paper awards (INFORMS, AAAI), Forbes’ Top 20 Women in AI Research (2017), Fortune Magazine ‘A-Team in AI’ in 2018, UC Berkeley’s Athena Award (2020), and AI Industry Leader of the Year (2022) by Women Leaders in Data & AI. She holds a master’s degree in computer science and graduated as valedictorian of her MBA program at New York University.
January 8, 2026 | 12:45pm – 1:50pm
Guy Kawasaki
Chief Evangelist, Canva
Title:
The Future of Work: Thriving in the Age of AI
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence isn’t just coming—it’s here, and it’s reshaping the way we work, create, and connect. In this keynote, Guy Kawasaki, former chief evangelist of Apple and current chief evangelist of Canva, explores how AI is transforming industries and redefining the skills that matter most in the workplace. Drawing on decades of experience at the forefront of innovation, Guy will share actionable insights on how to future-proof your career, leverage AI as a tool for creativity and productivity, and embrace the human qualities that machines can’t replicate—like empathy, curiosity, and storytelling.
This isn’t about fearing the robots, it’s about learning to ride the wave of change. This talk will inspire you to think differently, act boldly, and thrive in the age of AI. Because the future of work isn’t about competing with machines—it’s about being more human than ever.
Bio:
Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, host of the Remarkable People podcast, author of Wiser Guy, Think Remarkable, and sixteen other books, and adjunct professor of UC Santa Cruz. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College.