AI doesn’t fail because the technology isn’t ready—it fails because organizations make implementation far more complex than it needs to be.

In this session, we move past vendor demos and inflated promises to look at what actually determines whether AI delivers business value. Drawing on real-world implementation experience, this talk breaks down the few decisions that matter most—and the common traps that derail even well-funded initiatives.

Designed for leaders responsible for outcomes, not experiments, this session reframes AI implementation as an execution and change problem—not a technical one—and offers a practical way to move from ambition to impact without unnecessary complexity.

Scheduled presentations in 2026 and 2025 presented at Big Mountain Data and Dev Conference, DevFest Salt Lake City 2025, Future Data Driven Summit, and Denver Dev Day the Developer's Conference.

Target Audience
Boards, C-suite executives, and senior VPs
Technology, digital transformation, and innovation leaders
Executives accountable for AI investment outcomes

Session Level
Executive / Advanced
Focused on decision-making, governance, and execution
No technical or data science background required

Preferred Session Duration
45 minutes + 10–15 minutes Q&A
Adaptable to 30 or 60 minutes

Session Format
Executive keynote with real-world implementation examples
Emphasis on judgment, tradeoffs, and organizational readiness

Technical Requirements
Projector or large display (16:9 slides)
Microphone for large rooms
No live demos or system access required

Additional Notes
Emphasizes AI as an execution and leadership challenge, not a technology problem
Designed for leaders responsible for outcomes, risk, and ROI
Applicable to enterprise, public sector, and regulated environments