Your AI Idea Is Great. Here’s What You Need to Know to Make Enterprises Actually Use It.

AI developers are building some of the most exciting technology of our time—new agents, new workflows, new assistants, new automation layers. But the moment you try to bring any of this into a large enterprise, you run headfirst into realities that aren’t obvious from the outside: decades of legacy systems, thousands of long-tail applications, fragmented identity boundaries, inconsistent APIs, compliance constraints, and user environments shaped entirely around humans.

This session is a practical guide to that world, from someone who's spent 30+ years in enterprise IT. We’ll break down what AI builders consistently underestimate (and overestimate), why great demos fail in real customer environments, and what you actually need to design for if you want your AI product, agent, or platform to gain enterprise traction. You’ll learn why GUI-level automation isn’t a hack, why “just use the API” rarely works at scale, why enterprises adopt new tech slowly and nonlinearly, and how to bridge your modern AI ideas with the reality of old infrastructure.

Whether you’re building agents, copilots, devtools, enterprise integrations, or AI-native products, this session gives you the mental model you need to unlock one of AI’s biggest unrealized TAMs: applying modern AI to the messy, high-value workflows of large organizations.

The Last Chapter of End-User Computing

For 30 years, EUC has been about delivering apps and desktops to workers. That era is ending. AI is dissolving the application layer as workers are already delegating tasks to AI instead of opening apps, building workflows IT never sees, and treating AI as a coworker rather than a tool. This keynote explores what happens when the desktop stops being the center of work, when apps become optional middleware, and what EUC professionals should focus on next.

The Second Brain: How AI Changes Everything You Think You Know About Knowledge Work

Two months ago I pointed an AI at a folder of plain text files containing everything I know—my frameworks, positions, meeting notes, & evolving thinking on the future of work—and told AI to maintain all of it. Within two hours I knew I'd never work the same way again.

I then published my knowledge as an AI-native module at brainmadden.ai, so anyone can plug my expertise into their own AI. This is the first system of its kind, and I built it using tools that already exist: markdown files, git, and an open protocol called MCP.

In this session I'll show you exactly how it works—live. You'll see how I use the second brain day-to-day, how the published version connects to anyone's AI, and why I think this pattern will reshape how every knowledge worker operates within the next 18 months. I'll also explain what this means for the people in this room: if your job has been managing the workspace where work happens, the second brain is the next workspace you'll need to understand.

Navigating Employee AI Use in the Workplace

The AI revolution isn't coming—it's already here, and your employees are leading the charge because they're able to use AI tools without your support or knowledge. As a business leader, are you prepared to navigate this new landscape?

In this eye-opening talk, Brian Madden, a 30-year IT veteran and creator of the Workplace AI Strategy Guide (StrategyGuide.ai), cuts through the AI hype to address the pressing reality: AI tools are transforming your workplace operations right now, whether you're ready or not.

Drawing from his ongoing research and real-world experiences, Brian will guide you through the complex terrain of employee-driven AI adoption, offering practical insights on:

• The "Consumerization of AI": Why this is bigger and more impactful than any previous tech revolution
• Policy Dilemmas: Crafting strategies that balance innovation with security and compliance
• Workforce Dynamics: Navigating the shifting employee-employer relationship in an AI-enhanced workplace
• Measurement Challenges: Distinguishing between AI hype and actual productivity gains
• Competitive Edge: Ensuring your company (and employees) don't fall behind in the AI race

This isn't just another talk about ChatGPT prompts or the technical intricacies of large language models. Instead, Brian offers a unique, business-focused perspective on managing the human side of AI adoption in your organization.

You'll leave this session with:

• A clear understanding of the current AI landscape in the workplace
• Practical strategies for developing AI policies that work for your organization
• Insights on fostering an AI-savvy workforce without compromising security or ethics
• Tools for measuring the real impact of AI on your business operations

Join Brian for this dynamic, continuously-evolving discussion that mirrors his innovative approach to the Workplace AI Strategy Guide—a living document that evolves as rapidly as the AI landscape itself.

Whether you're an IT leader, HR professional, or C-suite executive, this talk will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to confidently lead your organization through the AI revolution. Don't let your employees outpace you—be prepared to harness the full potential of AI in your workplace.

This talk is based on the content from the Workplace AI Strategy Guide project, which you can see at https://strategyguide.ai.

The Evolution and Future of End User Computing (EUC)

End User Computing (EUC) continues to be a key element in corporate IT strategies, evolving from basic desktop management to complex digital workspace solutions encompassing remote work, VDI/DaaS, enterprise mobility, and broad employee-driven technology use. As digital work habits and technologies evolve, the need for strategic thinking in supporting and managing employee devices and applications has never been more critical.

Brian Madden, a distinguished critic, analyst, and thought leader in the EUC space, brings over three decades of experience to this discussion. From his early days in desktop support to founding the influential BrianMadden.com website and BriForum conference, Brian has been at the forefront of the EUC conversation, offering insights and predictions that have often predated major industry shifts.

In this engaging and informative talk, Brian will review the current state of the EUC industry in 2024 and forecast the developments we can expect in the coming years. Reflecting on recent developments, such as the acquisitions of Citrix and VMware by private equity, Google's acquisition of Cameyo, and Microsoft's ascent to one of the world’s most valuable companies, he’ll provide a nuanced perspective on the continuing strategic importance of familiar technologies while blending in the latest thinking.

Key topics will include:
• The evolving role of Windows: Dying, or more important than ever?
• Is today’s mobile-first world making the desktop more or less relevant?
• Is unified endpoint management finally real, or did we chase the wrong thing?
• The ongoing effects of the consumerization of IT in a world where employees have the power?
• The emerging influence of AI in shaping EUC strategies.

Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of where the EUC industry stands today and where it’s headed, equipped with insights to build successful strategies for the future of work effectively. Brian’s deep expertise and entertaining and humorous presentation style promise to make this session both educational and enjoyable.