Embrace:AI // 2026.03 - AI Risk, Human Layer & Building AI Strategy that works

Join us at our next event where AI safety meets AI readiness, with the frameworks that actually move things forward!

Agenda:

• 18h: welcome and networking
• 18h30: The Human Layer in AI - Understanding and managing behavioural Risk (Sara Portell)
• 19h00: Ambition vs. Execution: A structured approach to AI readiness (Marvin McKinney)
• 19h30-20h30: networking

Join and help build the AI community in Lisbon!
RSVP now and invite your peers.

*** The lineup and speakers for the evening

Talk 1: The Human Layer in AI - Understanding and managing behavioural Risk by Sara Portell

Sara will speak about behavioural risk in AI: the risks that emerge not only from model inaccuracies and errors, but from how people interpret, trust, and act on AI systems in practice. The talk will examine why technically compliant systems can still lead to harm, and why responsible AI must account for the human–system interaction layer. Sara will also share a practical approach to identifying these risks and translating responsible AI principles into clearer product, design, and governance decisions.

Bio: Sara is a behavioural scientist and responsible AI practitioner with 17+ years of experience across product, UX, and research in global technology companies including Shopify, Expedia, F-Secure, and Unit4. She is the founder of HCRAI (Human-Centric Responsible AI), where she helps organisations design and govern AI systems with greater attention to human behaviour, safety, wellbeing and real-world use.

Talk 2: Ambition vs. Execution: A structured approach to AI readiness by Marvin McKinney

Most AI initiatives don't fail at implementation. They fail before anyone writes a line of code or signs a vendor contract. The tools get bought, the use cases get announced, and six months later, nobody can explain what changed. This session uses a real startup case study to walk through the discovery process most organizations skip entirely: figuring out where AI actually belongs in your business before you start building. Covers AI readiness assessment, where implementations typically break down, and what a structured pre-build process looks like in practice.

Bio: Marvin McKinney has spent the last several years working inside that gap, adapting enterprise AI frameworks for businesses without dedicated ML teams or eight-figure transformation budgets.

*** About our Sponsor
Announced soon.

*** About Embrace:AI
Join Embrace:AI, be part of an open meetup fostering a vibrant AI community that brings together engineers, researchers, data scientists, and leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements, real-world use cases, and critical topics like Responsible AI, security, and governance.
You'll have access to high-quality, non-commercial content that covers both the technical and non-technical aspects of AI. Concise, impactful presentations ensure you gain valuable insights while still having plenty of time for in-person networking.
Experience the power of face-to-face connection—meet like-minded professionals and shape the future of this transformative technology. Together, we'll embrace the limitless potential of AI.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the event!
Join and help build the AI community in Lisbon!