Name: Save the Date: All Things AI
Start: 2026-03-23T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Durham Convention Center

Artificial intelligence isn’t just reshaping technology—it’s influencing every corner of society. This month’s All Things AI meetup will feature an expanded speaker lineup to help us unpack how AI is changing the game in product management, marketing, healthcare, technology, and business at large.

Recently Governor Josh Stein In [Executive Order 24](https://governor.nc.gov/executive-order-no-24-advancing-trustworthy-artificial-intelligence-benefits-all-north-carolinians),
the Governor established the [North Carolina AI Accelerator](https://it.nc.gov/resources/artificial-intelligence/ai-accelerator) within NCDIT to serve as a centralized hub for AI governance, research, partnership, development, implementation, and training. The executive order also mandates an AI Oversight Team for each state agency and lays out parameters for an AI Literacy and Fraud Prevention Training Program for the general public.
We will start with a keynote by NC State Representative Zach Woods whose district covers Durham and RTP.

Join moderator Mark Hinkle for an engaging, no-fluff panel discussion with leaders who are on the front lines of AI adoption and innovation. We’ll explore what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s coming next—across industries and organizational levels.

Whether you’re building products, running marketing campaigns, delivering healthcare, or leading teams, this is your chance to hear directly from experts shaping the AI conversation. Bring your questions and be ready for a candid, practical discussion.

**Keynote State Representative Zack Hawkins**

State Representative [Zack Hawkins](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/742) believes in A Better North Carolina—a state where everyone, from Murphy to Manteo, can reach their full potential without discrimination or unnecessary barriers. A proud native of North Carolina and HBCU graduate of Elizabeth City State and North Carolina Central, Zack has spent over two decades in Durham as a science teacher, nonprofit leader, and public servant. Elected in 2018 as the youngest representative for NC House District 31, he has been a leading voice on education, healthcare, transportation, and workforce equity. He co-chairs the bipartisan HBCU and IDD Caucuses and has served on key House committees, including Appropriations, Education, and Redistricting. Among his legislative accomplishments are expanding acceptable voter ID forms, securing paid leave for state employees, supporting environmental reform, diversifying the teaching workforce, reforming ABC laws, and sponsoring the sports betting bill that brought billions to the state. Zack's work is rooted in his belief that North Carolina is still a place "where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great." He lives in Durham with his wife, Tracey, and their three sons.

**Panelists**

We are confirming the final speaker line-up but wanted to make sure that our members saved the date it will be a great night to get your most pressing artificial intelligence questions answered. Here's who is in already.

**[Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambit-profile/)**
***Professor, Fayetteville State University***

Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya is a Computer Scientist with more than 15 years of experience in teaching and research. He has a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a tenured Full Professor in Computer Science at Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, USA. In 2023 he was honored by the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Dr. Bhattacharya is experienced in developing and executing innovative and use-inspired research in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) with a broad range of techniques and applications, and with multidisciplinary teams. He has more than 60 peer reviewed publications and has delivered 50+ oral presentations, including keynote lectures at conferences. Dr. Bhattacharya works on research in the applications of AIML to geospatial intelligence, computer vision with synthetic data for target recognition, efficiency and latency reducing inferencing for edge computing, robotics and manufacturing. Dr. Bhattacharya leads projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Defense (DoD), including support for research aligned with interests of the US Intelligence Community (IC), NASA, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the University of North Carolina Research Opportunities Initiative. He directs the Intelligent Systems Lab (ISL) at Fayetteville State University which hosts research and houses resources like robotics equipment, and high-performance computing for AIML research.

**[Greg Boone](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregboone/)**
***CEO, Walk West***

As CEO of Walk West, Greg Boone oversees the agency’s executive strategy and is responsible for establishing partnerships that enhance client engagement and deliver measurable results. A distinguished technology and marketing expert with over 20 years of leadership experience, Greg is leading Walk West into an important new chapter of growth and digital marketing innovation.
A strategic advisor through and through, he champions innovative growth initiatives while leveraging his deep passion for and knowledge in artificial intelligence and data transformation to drive exceptional client outcomes. His ability to connect strategic vision with AI-driven insights and dynamic storytelling is unparalleled, and his forward-thinking approach keeps Walk West and its clients on the cutting edge of digital innovation.
Recognized for his people-first approach, Greg’s leadership philosophy centers on the belief that organizational success stems from investing in and developing talented teams. This principle has guided his impressive career trajectory from software engineer to CEO, consistently delivering remarkable results across multiple enterprises.
Prior to joining Walk West, Greg served as CEO of Cleartelligence, a leading data consultancy, and Co-CEO of Blue Acorn iCi, where he orchestrated a landmark $125 million acquisition by Infosys. His strategic acumen has transformed digital experiences for Fortune 500 companies including Charter Communications, Walmart, NASCAR, and Panera Bread.
Outside of his role as CEO, Greg remains deeply committed to industry advancement and community development. A sought-after speaker on leadership, technology, and digital innovation, he regularly shares his insights at premier industry events. Greg also helps shape tomorrow’s business leaders through his involvement with various Executive Education Programs. Based in Durham, NC, he balances his professional pursuits with dedicated family time.

**[Aaron Delp](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarondelp/)**
***Head of AI Technical Marketing***
***Equinix***

Aaron builds and leads technical programs and content generation for Equinix AI Solutions globally. Before joining Equinix, Aaron was responsible for the go-to-market strategy and content for cloud-native and artificial intelligence solutions, with a focus on Nutanix Artificial Intelligence (NAI), GPT-in-a-Box, Red Hat OpenShift, and Nutanix Kubernetes Engine (NKE). Aaron also publishes The Cloudcast podcast. The Cloudcast is the world's largest independent podcast on cloud computing, AI/ML, and emerging technologies.

**[Dean Peters](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanpeters/)**
***Principal Consultant & Trainer, Productside***

Dean Peters is a visionary product leader, expert instructor, and frequent speaker, renowned for his profound expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, CI/CD, and continuous testing. His seasoned experience in AI, IoT, and mobile solutions has equipped him with practical, real-world insights, making him a pivotal educator in advanced product management. As a seasoned Agile team leader, Dean has mentored numerous product leaders, transforming intricate concepts into outcome-focused strategies. His proven success in enhancing organizational business and operational models underscores his value to companies aiming to refine their product management practices. Dean’s engaging ‘Hakawati’ storytelling captivates his audience, making him a sought-after speaker at industry events.

**[Todd Quartiere](https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddquartiere/),**
***Executive Director,***
***Foundation for AI & Health (FAIH)***

The visonary and voice behind the AI Vitals Podcast, Todd Quartiere.
Sparking imagination for responsible AI & health, Todd (he/him) has become a visionary leader and voice behind our AI Vitals podcast. He serves as the Executive Director at the Foundation for AI & Health (FAIH), and the Leader for Responsible AI at Vynamic.
He an industry executive and thought leader on the impacts of AI & Health. His past experience as an EMT, in health service operations, management consulting, and nonprofit leadership helps shape the holistic view of both positives and negatives that AI applications are creating.
Todd’s has worked across 100+ providers, payers, life science, public health, and health technology companies to realize over $250M in annual, recurring savings. In his free time Todd visits patients at UNC Health with his pet therapy dog, named Eleven.

**[Steve Rao](https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-rao-6ab05692/)**
**Morrisville Town Council**
**Candidate for Wake County Commissioner**

Steve Rao is a four-term At-Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville (2011–present) and a former mayor pro tem (2015–2017). Over 14 years in office, he’s worked on smart-growth planning, transit pilots, and open-data initiatives to support residents and small businesses in one of the fastest-growing corners of Wake County. He currently serves as a delegate to the Central Pines Regional Council (formerly Triangle J COG) and previously contributed to the NC League of Municipalities Racial Equity Task Force.

Rao is the longest-serving Asian American elected official in North Carolina and the first Indian American elected in Wake County and the Triangle. He has been an advocate for immigrant talent retention and the region’s innovation economy.

Outside town hall, Rao advises technology companies on sales and business development to state and local governments at State Federal Strategies. He writes about technology, entrepreneurship, and the opportunities of responsible AI—arguing Wake County can lead in AI through its universities, startups, and pragmatic public policy.

He is running for [Wake County Commissioner](https://www.steveraoforwake.com) to strengthen public schools, expand housing options, and invest in infrastructure that keeps pace with growth and attracts high-quality jobs. Rao earned a B.A. in Political Science from Emory University and a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law.

All Things AI (Live)

Mark Hinkle

Melanie McLaughlin

Dean Peters

Mariama Jabati

James Schweitzer

Barry Shafer

jose

Jasmine Glancy

Christopher Scott

Bob richie

Oleg

Kshitiz

Andy Jin

LULU

Marc Sirkin

Robert Campbell

SamPlaysKeys

Chris Gray

Patrick Clancy

Krishna Avva

AI State of the Union

Durham Armory

Are you trying to scale out AI but not having a lot of luck or don't even know where to start?

**You're not alone if AI feels like a promise that's just out of reach.**

Right now, 87% of executives are watching their AI initiatives stall in pilot purgatory while competitors race ahead. The pressure is real — boards want results, teams need direction, and every day without a clear path forward is a day lost.

In this candid 40-minute conversation, DeShon Clark reveals why most organizations are trapped in "AI theater" — impressive demos that never scale — and shares the exact framework that's helping enterprises break through.

**You'll discover:**

* The 3 use cases that consistently deliver ROI within 90 days (and which ones waste millions)
* A governance framework that protects without paralyzing — get security AND speed
* How to transform Microsoft 365 & Azure AI Foundry from expensive licenses into department-wide competitive advantages
* The honest conversation about what separates organizations that scale from those stuck in perpetual pilots

**This is for you if:** You're an executive, director, or decision-maker who's tired of AI experiments that go nowhere. You need AI to deliver real business value — not next year, but now.

**What makes this different:** While others talk theory, DeShon shares battle-tested strategies from the trenches. This isn't about the technology — it's about the organizational transformation that makes AI adoption actually work. The webinar gives you the critical insights; the in-person event provides the complete implementation roadmap.

**Walk away with:** Clear next steps, proven frameworks, and the confidence to move your organization from AI aspiration to AI acceleration — while others are still PowerPointing their potential.

[This is a virtual event so make sure to register on WebinarJam to get access - https://event.webinarjam.com/register/12/8z3w9sq]

Helquin

Thomas Butalid

Matt Williamson

Vijay Nandakumar

Dave Anderson

Paula

lokeshkraj

Charles Stockman

Andrew Francis

Shay Vatarescu

Abhi Sikka

Anders Schuyler

g sandeep

retinastegall77

Eric Neyhard

Amber Gupta

How to Scale Fast with AI, Battle Stories from the Trenches

Online event

While our meetup is based in RDU, there's been a lot of desire for an event in Charlotte. To that end All Things AI is producing an event in Charlotte on October 27th and 28th.

[Event Location - UNC Charlotte, Dubois Center, 320 E 9th Street Charlotte, NC 28202]

***This is a paid event and requires tickets. I may be able to help with a ticket for Monday if you need one please reach out to Me.***

[AI//FORWARD](https://charlotte.allthingsai.org/) is the flagship AI conference for **senior business executives and enterprise leaders** in Charlotte produced by [All Things AI](https://allthingsai.org/) and [Cognyfied](https://cognifyd.com/).

**To get your invitation and purchase tickets: [https://charlotte.allthingsai.org/register/](https://charlotte.allthingsai.org/register/)**[ ](https://charlotte.allthingsai.org/register/)

Over two days, the program delivers strategic frameworks, operational playbooks, and peer-to-peer exchange for leaders tasked with moving AI from pilots to enterprise-scale productivity.

Though **All Things AI** is headquartered in Raleigh/Durham, with a 3,000+ member community, demand from the Charlotte metro area has been overwhelming. With Charlotte’s rapid adoption of AI across finance, healthcare, and logistics, this event was built to meet the needs of the region’s senior leadership community.

Also we will have a limited amount of tickets for the training that we'll provide via a drawing for free.

To secure your spot make sure to purchase tickets via the website. Otherwise, we'll provide a very limited number of free tickets to those members who are the best match for the conference.

### Day 1 – Executive & DevOps Workshops

* **AIOS for Executives** with Mark Hinkle: AI strategy, governance, and scaling pilots into enterprise-wide impact.
* **AI for DevOps** with John Willis: Generative AI in the SDLC and lifecycle management with the NORMAL framework.

AI Forward: An AI Event for Executives by All Things AI 

UNC Charlotte City Center

Something big is coming.

Launchpad is your invitation to join us at the starting line for the run-up to our annual **All Things AI** event this March(Save the date - *MARCH 22 + 23 + 24, 2026)* . This evening sets the tone for what’s ahead—with speakers who will challenge your thinking and hint at what’s next.

Before the main event, connect with peers, innovators, and leaders during our networking reception. Earlier in the day, we’re hosting a focused training session for marketing and sales professionals—designed to give you practical AI strategies you can use now.

Networking: 5:00-6:30
AI Speakers and Topic - TBD

We’re sharing this now so you can lock it on your calendar and secure your spot. Space will be limited, and you won’t want to miss the first spark of what’s to come.

Todd Lewis

Omar Ghaznavi

Jordan Bean

Chris Wilkes

Kitson P

Lawrence R.

jacqueline.martin78

Carolina Conde

Cheryl Gottschall

Jeff Torello

Jeffrey E

Andre Barkov

All Things AI Launchpad (Get Ready for All Things AI 2026)

**Save the Date – All Things AI 2026**
**March 23–24, 2026**
**Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre & Durham Convention Center**
**Two days. One mission: Deliver the best AI event for users and practitioners.**

All Things AI returns in 2026—**4x bigger** than before.

**Day 1 – March 23: Training Day**
Deep-dive sessions for professionals who want to sharpen their AI skills fast. Whether you’re in marketing, product, operations, or development, you’ll leave with workflows, tools, and tactics you can apply immediately.
**Day 2 – March 24: Conference Day**
Hear from industry-leading speakers—builders, researchers, and business leaders—sharing what’s next in AI and how to use it now. Expect hard-hitting keynotes, candid panels, and real-world case studies.
**What’s New in 2026**

* **More Speakers**: Broader perspectives from AI pioneers and practitioners.
* **More Space**: The Carolina Theatre and Durham Convention Center combined for bigger networking and collaboration.
* **More AI Learning**: Hands-on, applied content you can take back to your work the very next day.

If you’re serious about AI—whether you’re deploying it, managing it, or building with it—this is your event.

**March 23–24, 2026. Durham, NC.**
Mark your calendar. Secure your spot early.
Full details will be available soon at:
[allthingsai.org](https://allthingsai.org)
Secure your ticket early - expected to sell out.

Raj Uchil

Mary Holtschneider

Grigory

Oleg Danyliuk

Mr. Whittington

Dan Long

Khanh Hoang 

Jessica Silverstein

Pradeep 

Save the Date: All Things AI 

Durham Convention Center

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