Naval Thakur is a Practice Manager at SLB and a practitioner-turned-thought-leader in enterprise cloud transformation. Over 18+ years he has led some of the most complex DevSecOps, FinOps, and GenAI adoption programs in the energy and professional services sectors — with $600K+ in documented cost savings, a 30% average cloud cost reduction, and 35+ projects spanning SLB, Genpact and Sapient.

He is the creator of the CognitiveOps Model — a four-layer maturity framework (AutoOps → DevSecOps → FinOps → CognitiveOps) that maps where enterprises sit today and what intelligent operations looks like in practice. The model underpins his speaking, writing, and consulting work.

Naval holds 39+ certifications across Azure, AWS, GCP, Kubernetes, FinOps, Scrum, TOGAF, and GenAI — including FinOps Certified Practitioner, Google Cloud GenAI Leader, CKA, AWS Solutions Architect, and TOGAF 9 Certified. He holds an MBA from MDI Gurgaon (Gold Medalist).

He has spoken at the Global Azure Bootcamp, APGI, Microsoft DevCon, the FinOps Foundation community, and delivered 20+ sessions on DevOps, Blockchain, IaC, and FinOps to engineering teams. His sessions are consistently practitioner-first: real architectures, real failures, real numbers.

He writes at nthakur.com and publishes The CognitiveOps Brief — a bi-weekly newsletter for enterprise engineers and architects.

Naval Thakur is a Practice Manager at SLB and a practitioner-turned-thought-leader in enterprise cloud transformation. Over 18+ years he has led some of the most complex DevSecOps, FinOps, and GenAI adoption programs in the energy and professional se... Show more

Mariusz is an experienced Architect and Data Engineer who specializes in creating Data Platforms for projects focused on Data Warehouses, Data Lakes, and Machine Learning. He's skilled in popular cloud systems like Azure, GCP, and AWS and has over 14 years of experience in the data processing industry in Finance, FMCG, Pharma, and Telecommunication. Mariusz works on innovative projects for clients in Poland and beyond. He's certified in data engineering from both Azure and GCP. Beyond his technical expertise, Mariusz is a big fan of history, books, drawing, data engineering, and the Python language. He enjoys sharing his knowledge, and you can find his articles on Medium.

Mariusz is an experienced Architect and Data Engineer who specializes in creating Data Platforms for projects focused on Data Warehouses, Data Lakes, and Machine Learning. He's skilled in popular cloud systems like Azure, GCP, and AWS and has over 14... Show more

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins.

Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity.

With a career spanning roles as an energy trader, global head of innovation, and startup founder, Stephen has worked with companies of all sizes - from agile one-person ventures, to European scale-ups, to multinational corporations with over 100,000 employees.

As the founder of Culturedge®, Stephen advises medium to large enterprises on building the structures and strategies they need to embed innovation, take manageable risks and achieve exponential growth.

As the co-founder of Strategy Quest, Stephen gives companies the opportunity to co-design AI-powered business simulations and wargames - to strengthen their resilience and decision-making under uncertain conditions.

Known for pushing boundaries and telling executives not what they want, but what they need to hear – Stephen has helped redesign flagship products like ABN AMRO Bank's Tikkie and established global innovation frameworks at organisations like SGS.

A polyglot and global citizen, Stephen has lived in five countries and speaks five languages, bringing an international perspective to every new challenge.

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins. Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity. ... Show more

With 15 years of experience in the data and technology landscape, Ajinkya Soitkar is a Sr. Solutions Engineer based in Amsterdam. His deep expertise spans cloud-native and hybrid database architectures, data modernization strategies, and scalable, secure data solutions, making him a strategic partner for enterprises navigating digital transformation.

Currently focusing on Azure Databases at Microsoft. Ajinkya brings a wealth of experience helping organizations modernize their data platforms on the cloud. His journey with AWS began few as an Associate Technical Trainer in India and has since evolved across multiple geographies and technical roles. Today, he supports enterprise customers across Europe, helping them select and implement the right database technologies to power innovation and performance.

Ajinkya is also a recognized thought leader in the data community. He has delivered impactful talks at leading industry events like SQLBits 2023 and AWS Cloud Day Prague, where he shared insights on Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon QuickSight. His technical acumen is complemented by a passion for knowledge sharing, as demonstrated through his sessions on selecting the right database for the right workload and his appearances on AWS Community Sessions. He's now doing the same for Azure communities and influencing database business at Microsoft.

Looking ahead, Ajinkya is driven by a mission to continue enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data through well-architected, future-ready solutions. With a strong foundation in data architecture, public speaking, migration and modernization through customer engagements, he is able to help organizations thrive at the intersection of technology strategy and business impact.

With 15 years of experience in the data and technology landscape, Ajinkya Soitkar is a Sr. Solutions Engineer based in Amsterdam. His deep expertise spans cloud-native and hybrid database architectures, data modernization strategies, and scalable, se... Show more

Senior Deep Learning compiler engineer at Nvidia, ISO:C++ standardization member; Author

Senior Deep Learning compiler engineer at Nvidia, ISO:C++ standardization member; Author Show more

Prashant has a Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 17 years of IT experience in Canada across various industry verticals. He works as a Senior Cyber Security Advisor for a Fortune 500 company. He calls himself a self-styled geek with a purpose. He likes to support the budding cyber talent, share his experience and continue to progress the Cyber Security discipline in industry, academia and research fields. He considers himself a problem solver in solving interesting IT problems for the betterment and progress of human society.

He is an Information Security (IS) Leader, Specialist and Teacher with proven expertise in managing information security in several businesses including power, oil and gas, healthcare, government, retail and technology sectors.

He subscribes to a holistic approach in practicing Information Security architecture, Security Operations, Information Risk Management, Operational and Industrial Control System Security (OT/ICS) and Information Security Audits. Takes pride in driving IS programs to meet enterprise objectives and act as a trusted Cyber Advisor to the lines of business with regards to cyber risk. He prides himself in being able to balance stakeholder’s expectations to deliver projects against individual groups’ expectations in IT departments. He is a Subject matter expert in several aspects of Cyber Security including but not limited to Threat Assessment & Vulnerability Management, Risk Management, Incident Management, Operational Processes, and Architecture.

He has numerous research papers in the field of Quantum Computing, Youtube channel and videos on Quantum Computing, OT Security among others. He has presented in multiple IT and Security conferences over the years such as CIPS, ISACA Edmonton, B-Sides Edmonton, B-Sides Calgary, and Public Safety Canada ICS Symposium as mentioned below. He also has a passion of teaching Cyber Security courses in Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) to Bachelors and Master of Information Security Management students.

He likes to play chess, hike and camp in the mountains alone and ponder over the purpose of life and nature.

Prashant has a Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 17 years of IT experience in Canada across various industry verticals. He works as a Senior Cyber Security Advisor for a Fortune 500 company. He calls himself a self-styled geek with a purpose... Show more

Matias Julian Christoffersen is a Microsoft Power Platform Architect who specializes in governance for the agentic era: how organizations run Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and multi-agent systems at scale without losing control of data, cost, or compliance.

As Direction of Automation & Technologies at twoday, he designs the environment strategies, security frameworks, and Centers of Excellence that let citizen developers build quickly while giving enterprises the audit trail and lifecycle control that agents now require. His background spans business strategy, IT governance, and program management, built over years advising Nordic enterprises, most recently as a senior consultant at Devoteam before moving to twoday to lead Power Platform and Copilot Studio governance advisory.

Matias speaks regularly on securing and governing AI agents. Recent sessions include building a trusted foundation for Copilot Studio agents at the Global Power Platform Bootcamp, and designing responsible, decision-making multi-agent solutions at the Fælles AI-Implementering conference. His talks cover environment strategy, Managed Environments, DLP, Entra Agent ID, and what it takes to run a Power Platform Center of Excellence as an organization scales from a handful of pilot agents to a production fleet.

Matias Julian Christoffersen is a Microsoft Power Platform Architect who specializes in governance for the agentic era: how organizations run Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and multi-agent systems at scale without losing control of data, cost... Show more

Aigiun Guseinova is an Enterprise Data & AI Strategist, Power BI Developer, and Business Intelligence Specialist meant to design scalable intelligence systems across the Microsoft ecosystem. With a strong foundation in Information Systems and strong expertise in analytics engineering, she transforms complex data environments into high-impact decision platforms that drive measurable business outcomes.

Aigiun Guseinova is an Enterprise Data & AI Strategist, Power BI Developer, and Business Intelligence Specialist meant to design scalable intelligence systems across the Microsoft ecosystem. With a strong foundation in Information Systems and strong ... Show more

I am a Senior AI/ML Engineer focused on Technical Leadership, bridging the gap between theoretical research and scalable, real-world production systems. My career sits at the intersection of hands-on engineering, team management, and strategic innovation.

​Currently, as a Senior Software Engineer & Line Manager at Virtusa, I lead teams in defining the Solution Architecture for complex Machine Learning and Generative AI applications. I specialize in deploying these robust, cloud-native systems on AWS, balancing rigorous technical execution with talent development and delivery management.

​My perspective on AI is deeply informed by my previous role as Co-founder & COO of Trinet Innovations. That experience honed my ability to translate technical possibilities into tangible business value and societal impact, driven by a philosophy of "AI for all."

​Beyond corporate delivery, I am committed to advancing the global AI ecosystem. I am an active researcher and passionate educator, having executed over 45 diverse AI projects, conducted 50+ technical workshops, and mentored nearly 350 students, professionals, and startup founders globally.

​I am always open to connecting on innovative R&D collaborations, high-impact societal projects, and leadership opportunities.

I am a Senior AI/ML Engineer focused on Technical Leadership, bridging the gap between theoretical research and scalable, real-world production systems. My career sits at the intersection of hands-on engineering, team management, and strategic innova... Show more

Sumaiyya Fatima is a Software Modeling Engineer with a strong background in enterprise-scale embedded systems engineering, specializing in hardware-in-the-loop simulation, system validation, and software-defined vehicle development. She brings extensive experience in designing, modeling, and validating complex embedded control systems across automotive platforms, with a focus on integrating software and hardware to ensure reliable and scalable system performance.
In her current role at General Motors, she contributes to system calibration and validation activities, supporting vehicle programs through cross-functional collaboration with software architects, calibration engineers, and system integration teams. Her work involves developing and refining calibration strategies, conducting root cause analysis, and improving system performance through structured testing and validation processes. She has also played a key role in modeling software architectures using AUTOSAR-based tools and supporting the deployment of diagnostic requirements and system interfaces within software-defined vehicle environments.
Previously, she worked extensively on hardware-in-the-loop simulation frameworks, where she developed real-time models using MATLAB and Simulink to validate embedded controllers across multiple vehicle domains. Her contributions include automating test procedures, integrating plant models, and supporting validation teams in executing complex simulation-based testing workflows. She has also been involved in building simulation environments for powertrain, chassis, and safety systems, enabling efficient verification of software functionalities before deployment.
Earlier in her career, she gained experience in embedded software validation and control system testing within industrial applications, contributing to the development and testing of electro-hydraulic systems and machine control software. She holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing embedded systems engineering through innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Sumaiyya Fatima is a Software Modeling Engineer with a strong background in enterprise-scale embedded systems engineering, specializing in hardware-in-the-loop simulation, system validation, and software-defined vehicle development. She brings extens... Show more

Gopinath Rajamanickam is a seasoned IT professional with 20 years of experience spanning QA leadership, enterprise web application development, cloud engineering, DevOps, automation, and large-scale program delivery. He currently serves as an Expert Test Lead for the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) program at Pacific Gas & Electric, where he leads QA strategy, system integration testing, UAT, risk-based testing, and operational readiness initiatives for critical utility systems. His expertise includes validating complex integrations across platforms such as MuleSoft, ABB, PI, and GIS, while leveraging AI/ML-driven analytics, Python automation, JIRA/Zephyr data, and Power BI dashboards to improve test prioritization, defect analysis, and release quality.
Earlier in his career, Gopinath worked extensively as a full-stack web developer and test consultant for enterprise programs at Pacific Gas & Electric and Microsoft, building scalable applications using React, Java, .NET, C#, SQL, Python, and AWS cloud services. He has strong experience with CI/CD, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Selenium, Git, and Agile delivery practices. A certified PMP, AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Certified Scrum Master, Salesforce Administrator, and CSTE, Gopinath brings a strong combination of technical depth, quality engineering leadership, stakeholder management, and domain expertise across utilities, supply chain, CRM, and banking.

Gopinath Rajamanickam is a seasoned IT professional with 20 years of experience spanning QA leadership, enterprise web application development, cloud engineering, DevOps, automation, and large-scale program delivery. He currently serves as an Expert ... Show more

Matthias Rochtus, experienced public speaker and Data Scientist.
Main fields of expertise are Geospatial research, data engineering & CI/CD , Predictive Maintenance and Retrieval Augmented Generation (LLMs)

Matthias Rochtus, experienced public speaker and Data Scientist. Main fields of expertise are Geospatial research, data engineering & CI/CD , Predictive Maintenance and Retrieval Augmented Generation (LLMs) Show more

Akash Srivastava is a strategy and operations leader with extensive expertise in supply chain transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise value creation. He currently serves as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he leads high-impact engagements across the consumer and operations sectors. In this role, he advises senior executives on complex business challenges, develops transformation strategies, and drives sustainable performance improvements for global organizations. His work spans supply chain optimization, logistics redesign, and frontline productivity enhancement, combining data-driven insights with practical execution to improve operational efficiency and long-term organizational capabilities.
At McKinsey, Akash is also actively involved in mentoring teams, developing intellectual capital, and advancing innovative methodologies adopted across the firm’s global practice. Prior to McKinsey, he held consulting positions at Strategy& and KPMG, leading procurement transformations, digital operating model design, and cost optimization initiatives across industries including energy, metals, mining, and the public sector. Earlier, he worked at Tata Steel, where he managed mining operations and continuous improvement programs, building strong expertise in industrial systems and execution excellence. Akash holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from IIT.

Akash Srivastava is a strategy and operations leader with extensive expertise in supply chain transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise value creation. He currently serves as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he leads hig... Show more

Nikhil Jathar is Co-Founder and CTO of AvanSaber, where he builds governance and reliability into AI-generated software so enterprises can trust autonomous agents with real systems. He is the inventor on multiple US patents in AI software safety, an IEEE Senior Member, and a Forbes Technology Council member. He created an AI testing agent that finds real defects in open source code, ships an open-source AI-native ERP, and mentors early-career engineers across the US and India.

Nikhil Jathar is Co-Founder and CTO of AvanSaber, where he builds governance and reliability into AI-generated software so enterprises can trust autonomous agents with real systems. He is the inventor on multiple US patents in AI software safety, an ... Show more

Over 15 years of experience in data analytics and data platforms, with a passion for building AI-powered assistant products for manufacturing plants. Focused on delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions that solve complex operational problems and drive real business impact. Guided by curiosity, practicality, and economic feasibility.

Over 15 years of experience in data analytics and data platforms, with a passion for building AI-powered assistant products for manufacturing plants. Focused on delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions that solve complex operational problems and... Show more

Vara Bonthu is a Principal Technologist for Open Source – Data, AI & Kubernetes at AWS, and a CNCF Maintainer for the Kubeflow Spark Operator and MCP Server for Spark History Server. He leads the Data-on-EKS and AI-on-EKS open-source initiatives, helping organizations architect and scale distributed data and AI workloads on Kubernetes.
With hands-on experience managing Spark deployments across thousands of nodes and hundreds of thousands of pods, Vara focuses on performance optimization, workload resiliency, and AI-driven observability for cloud-native data frameworks including Apache Spark, Ray, and Kubeflow. He actively contributes to CNCF and open-source communities, advancing standards for scalable data processing, AI inference, and agentic AI systems on Kubernetes.

Vara Bonthu is a Principal Technologist for Open Source – Data, AI & Kubernetes at AWS, and a CNCF Maintainer for the Kubeflow Spark Operator and MCP Server for Spark History Server. He leads the Data-on-EKS and AI-on-EKS open-source initiatives, hel... Show more

Mira is a Staff Security/Software Engineer at a unicorn-stage SaaS company running on Microsoft Azure in a multi-cloud environment. As one of the ten architects responsible for both software and security architecture, he shapes the trajectory of a platform built on .NET - from the monolith that carries the business to the emerging microservices that will define its future, while being actively engaged in both business and technical guidance during M&A events.

By day, I navigate the tension between shipping fast and shipping safe across a product surface that now includes LLM-powered features. By night (and early morning, and weekends), I build games, convenience apps, and small tools using every conventional and unconventional AI coding assistant I can get his hands on (I used to do small scoped projects prior to the AI era as well) and I have the experience as both a hobby and a long-running field study in what these tools actually produce.

I speak from the intersection of architecture, security, culture, and hands-on making. I have some production scars, real side-project joy, and very few slides with stock photos.

Mira is a Staff Security/Software Engineer at a unicorn-stage SaaS company running on Microsoft Azure in a multi-cloud environment. As one of the ten architects responsible for both software and security architecture, he shapes the trajectory of a pl... Show more

With nearly two decades of strategic planning and advisory experience, Marco has supported executive decision makers and leaders at all levels with their most challenging problems. His professional experience stretches from a wide range of industries to include aerospace defense, national security, CPG, retail, energy, healthcare, and fintech among others.

Marco's professional background is in organizational strategy and business transformation. Marco speaks on topics like AI Governance, adoption emerging technologies, the future of work, and the impacts that AI has on the workforce. Marco is a nerd at heart with a deep passion for strategy table top games like Magic the Gathering and could give a guest lecture on Frank Herbert's Dune series.

With nearly two decades of strategic planning and advisory experience, Marco has supported executive decision makers and leaders at all levels with their most challenging problems. His professional experience stretches from a wide range of industries... Show more

Computólogo por profesión, melómano por obsesión y chilango de tiempo completo. Soy co-fundador de Sudo FCiencias, Lider @ AWS Student Builder Group UNAM y Staff @ PythonCDMX. Creo firmemente que facilitando el acceso al conocimiento tecnológico nos acercará a un mejor futuro para todxs.

Computólogo por profesión, melómano por obsesión y chilango de tiempo completo. Soy co-fundador de Sudo FCiencias, Lider @ AWS Student Builder Group UNAM y Staff @ PythonCDMX. Creo firmemente que facilitando el acceso al conocimiento tecnológico nos ... Show more

Ayush Dubey is a Yale School of Management MBA candidate, London Business School exchange student, and emerging speaker at the intersection of AI, technology M&A, private equity value creation, energy transition, and enterprise transformation.

His work focuses on how organizations make better decisions when technology, capital, infrastructure, and human judgment are all changing at once. In private equity advisory, Ayush has worked across technology diligence, carve-out planning, post-merger integration, and value creation strategy. His broader operating experience spans digital transformation, manufacturing technology, AI/ML deployment, energy analytics, sustainability strategy, and global operations.

Ayush’s energy and infrastructure lens is central to his work. At Yale, his academic and project work has covered climate finance, project finance, energy and infrastructure, land use, real assets, sustainable finance, renewable energy, and geothermal commercialization. His capstone work includes geothermal data-center cooling strategy and commercialization for a climate-tech company, as well as forest and carbon decision-support work for land-use protection. At London Business School, his private equity-focused exchange adds exposure to corporate turnarounds, pricing, and strategic innovation, strengthening his ability to connect investment logic with operational execution.

Ayush’s AI thought leadership examines a central question: what happens when AI makes individuals and organizations appear more capable before their judgment, governance, and operating systems have caught up? His CIO.com article, “The 10-Man Parity Rule: When AI Adoption Accelerates Faster Than Organizations Can See,” argues that AI is increasingly pulled into work by employees, quietly outpacing traditional governance and reshaping who gets leverage inside companies.

In 2026, Ayush was selected to speak and present at AI @ Yale Symposium: From Innovation to Impact. His talk, “Clarity before Understanding: How Generative AI Reshapes Judgment in MBA Education,” explored how AI can produce polished synthesis before independent judgment is formed. His connected poster, “The AI Visibility Gap: Why Leaders Misread Capability Inside Their Own Organizations,” translated the same concern into the workplace context, asking how leaders can assess capability when AI changes the visible signals of work.

Ayush also serves as a reviewer for the Academy of Management Annual Meeting in M&A and is listed on the UNESCO Expert Roster in Natural Sciences. He holds a B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay, bringing a systems-level lens to questions of AI adoption, energy transition, corporate transformation, private equity value creation, and leadership judgment.

Ayush Dubey is a Yale School of Management MBA candidate, London Business School exchange student, and emerging speaker at the intersection of AI, technology M&A, private equity value creation, energy transition, and enterprise transformation. His... Show more

I am Cleber Rangel, I'm an Innovation Engineer, working on the intersection of technology and innovation processes. Currently, I am contributing my skills at Fugro in Lafayette, Louisiana, where I've been deeply engaged in software development for critical projects in the oil & energy sector. My expertise lies in in software development, system analysis, and agile development.

I am Cleber Rangel, I'm an Innovation Engineer, working on the intersection of technology and innovation processes. Currently, I am contributing my skills at Fugro in Lafayette, Louisiana, where I've been deeply engaged in software development for cr... Show more

Olayiwola Akinnagbe is a Senior Backend Engineer and AI researcher working at the intersection of financial technology, distributed systems, and intelligent human–AI collaboration. His work is guided by a clear conviction: systems should not merely function. They should scale, adapt, and strengthen the people who use them.

In the fintech sector, Olayiwola architects API-first, event-driven microservices that power payments, loan origination, and high-volume transaction platforms processing over one million API requests daily. He designs secure and resilient backend infrastructures using Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, and AWS. By applying CQRS principles, low-latency search optimization, and cloud-native deployment strategies, he consistently delivers measurable improvements in latency, throughput, and system reliability.

His contribution extends beyond engineering practice into scholarly research. He is the author of the peer-reviewed paper “Human–AI Collaboration: Enhancing Productivity and Decision-Making,” where he reframed artificial intelligence not as automation, but as cognitive partnership. His work examines how humans and intelligent systems can intentionally distribute cognitive responsibility while preserving human agency. This framework has been recognized for its clarity in explaining productivity acceleration and hybrid decision-making models.

Olayiwola holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology, graduating in the top five percent of his class, with research focused on machine learning–based malware detection. His broader publications span AI in finance, cybersecurity, federated learning, and predictive modeling for risk management. This combination of production engineering and academic inquiry enables him to translate theoretical insight into secure, deployable, and economically sound systems.

An AWS Certified Solutions Architect and Developer, he is committed to building architectures that are secure by design, resilient under pressure, and optimized for real-world constraints. He mentors engineers, contributes to technical scholarship, and speaks on system design, fintech infrastructure, and the evolving discipline of human–AI collaborative intelligence.

For Olayiwola, technology is not only about writing code. It is about designing systems that expand human capability while preserving judgment, responsibility, and trust.

Olayiwola Akinnagbe is a Senior Backend Engineer and AI researcher working at the intersection of financial technology, distributed systems, and intelligent human–AI collaboration. His work is guided by a clear conviction: systems should not merely f... Show more

Hernan Huwyler is a Global Risk Management Executive and the Academic Director at IE Law and Business School (Executive Education). With a dual background as an MBA and CPA, Hernan specializes in the intersection of Law, Technology, and Quantitative Risk.

He focuses on "translating" complex regulatory frameworks (EU AI Act, GDPR, ISO 42001) into actionable architectures for engineering and business teams. Unlike traditional compliance officers, Hernan advocates for data-driven risk management, moving beyond "heatmaps" to utilize Monte Carlo simulations, convolution models, and Python-based risk quantification.

Hernan has led Risk, Control, and Audit functions for major multinational corporations across Europe and the Americas. He writes and speaks extensively on Adversarial AI, Algorithmic Auditing, and the financial quantification of Cyber Risk. Past keynote venues include Risk Awareness Conferences (>2,000 risk managers), IIA and ISACA Summits, ProcureCom Europe, IKN Madrid, IE University, and closed-door sessions for international organizations and national regulators. Hernan’s talks consistently rank in the top 5% of conference feedback scores because he makes complex security requirements, business needs and regulations feel like a competitive advantage.

Speaking Topics:

AI Governance: Implementing ISO 42001 and navigating the EU AI Act.
Risk Quantification: Why "Impact x Probability" fails and how to use convolution models.
Adversarial AI: Balancing transparency with security to prevent data poisoning.
AI ROI: Risk-adjusted financial modeling for Generative AI deployments.

Ready-to-Submit Talk Proposals:

Session 1: The Technical/Quant Talk

Title: Kill the Heatmap: Quantifying AI Risk with Python & Monte Carlo Simulations
Abstract: Most organizations manage AI risk using colorful 5x5 "heatmaps." This is mathematically flawed and dangerous for high-stakes AI deployment. In this talk, we will ditch the gut-check methodology. I will demonstrate how to use convolution and Monte Carlo simulations to model the "tail risk" of AI hallucinations and regulatory fines. You will leave with a method to calculate the actual financial exposure of your models—no expensive GRC software required, just math and logic.

Session 2: The Governance/Security Talk

Title: The Transparency Trap: How to Audit AI Without Creating Vulnerabilities
Abstract: New standards like ISO/IEC 12792 demand AI transparency, but in the age of Adversarial Machine Learning, "oversharing" is a security vector. If you reveal your full architecture and training sources, you invite data poisoning and model inversion attacks. This session outlines a "Tiered Disclosure Architecture." We will discuss how to route specific data to auditors, regulators, and users differently, ensuring compliance with the EU AI Act without handing the keys to bad actors.

Session 3: The Business/Strategy Talk

Title: The Real Cost of Intelligence: A Risk-Adjusted Framework for AI ROI
Abstract: Companies are deploying Generative AI based on productivity hype, but they are ignoring the "OpEx Iceberg"—model drift, inference costs, and liability reserves. This talk presents a financial framework for calculating the true ROI of AI. We will cover how to factor in the "Risk Delta" (new risks vs. automated risks), calculate the Levelized Cost of AI (LCOAI), and determine when to build vs. buy based on process uniqueness. A session for leaders who need to justify the cloud bill to the CFO.

Hernan Huwyler is a Global Risk Management Executive and the Academic Director at IE Law and Business School (Executive Education). With a dual background as an MBA and CPA, Hernan specializes in the intersection of Law, Technology, and Quantitative ... Show more

Daniel Akhabue is a Senior AI/ML Engineer and Cloud Solutions Architect with 5+ years of experience, based in Lagos, building production-grade AI systems focused on solving real problems across emerging markets.
He architected EMEA's first cloud-native conversational agentic AI banking solution, a system that scaled transactional capacity by 70% and reduced customer enquiry workloads by two-thirds.
Across EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and Supply Chain, Daniel works with Python at the core: FastAPI backends, agentic pipelines, and PyTorch models deployed across hybrid environments. A Kaggle Expert and four-time hackathon winner, his accolades include the Deep Learning IndabaX Nigeria ML Hackathon.
He serves as a faculty member and organiser at AISOC (AI Summer of Code), a 150+ member community driving hands-on AI learning, and contributes as a researcher with the Machine Learning Collective. He has spoken at PyCon Kenya 2025, Datafest Africa Lagos 2024, and Black in Robotics USA 2025.
Daniel believes the most powerful AI systems are the ones built for the communities that need them most.

Daniel Akhabue is a Senior AI/ML Engineer and Cloud Solutions Architect with 5+ years of experience, based in Lagos, building production-grade AI systems focused on solving real problems across emerging markets. He architected EMEA's first cloud-nat... Show more

Business Intelligence professional with 20 years experience in data analytics, including at a top Power BI Consultant, Fortune 200 company, and startup EPC. Combines business acumen with digital fluency and innovative mindset to improve data comprehension and facilitate data-driven decision making. Chaired Data Analytics Community at the Construction Industry Institute, featured in BD+C Magazine’s 40 Under 40, and active member of #SML.

Business Intelligence professional with 20 years experience in data analytics, including at a top Power BI Consultant, Fortune 200 company, and startup EPC. Combines business acumen with digital fluency and innovative mindset to improve data comprehe... Show more

Freddy Alvarado es Ingeniero en Sistemas Computacionales, con Maestría en Administración de Negocios y actualmente cursa una Maestría en Inteligencia Artificial.

Es especialista en Inteligencia Artificial aplicada a los negocios, con enfoque en automatización, analítica avanzada e IA agéntica para la toma de decisiones empresariales. Cuenta con especialización en Transformación Digital y Machine Learning por el MIT, y un Diplomado en Ciencia de Datos por la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI).

Es CEO fundador de IA NOVUS, empresa dedicada al desarrollo de soluciones de Inteligencia Artificial y formación ejecutiva, ayudando a organizaciones a acelerar su transformación digital. Ha trabajado con empresas de los sectores agroexportador, industrial y minero del Perú.

Como expositor, comparte casos reales, demos aplicadas y enfoques prácticos para implementar IA en la empresa, desde modelos predictivos hasta agentes inteligentes integrados a sistemas ERP.

Cuenta con la certificación “Anaconda - Python in Excel” y lidera la comunidad “IA en Excel” en LinkedIn.

Freddy Alvarado es Ingeniero en Sistemas Computacionales, con Maestría en Administración de Negocios y actualmente cursa una Maestría en Inteligencia Artificial. Es especialista en Inteligencia Artificial aplicada a los negocios, con enfoque en au... Show more

Lars Reichert ist Leiter des Bereichs Vertriebsmanagement-Lösungen bei der Finanz Informatik, dem zentralen IT-Dienstleister der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Er und sein Team verantworten Anwendungen zur Unterstützung der Vertriebsplanung, Kostenrechnung sowie Vor- und Nachkalkulation im Kundengeschäft der Sparkassen. Darüber hinaus betreut sein Bereich das zentrale Data Warehouse für alle vertriebsrelevanten Daten. Seit der Übernahme dieser Rolle Ende 2023 treibt er die Modernisierung der Anwendungsarchitektur voran – mit dem Ziel, zentrale Mainframe-Systeme in skalierbare, dezentrale Komponenten zu überführen.

Lars Reichert ist Leiter des Bereichs Vertriebsmanagement-Lösungen bei der Finanz Informatik, dem zentralen IT-Dienstleister der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Er und sein Team verantworten Anwendungen zur Unterstützung der Vertriebsplanung, Kostenrechnung... Show more

Hari Vamsi Krishna is a wastewater infrastructure analytics specialist focused on GIS, spatial-temporal analytics, and data-driven decision-making for municipal infrastructure systems. His work combines geospatial intelligence, condition assessment analytics, enterprise data management, and business intelligence to support infrastructure planning, rehabilitation prioritization, and operational performance improvement. He has experience developing analytical frameworks, dashboards, and digital workflows using GIS, Power BI, Python, and enterprise geodatabases. His research and speaking interests include infrastructure intelligence, predictive analytics, sewer rehabilitation planning, and digital transformation in utility asset management.

Hari Vamsi Krishna is a wastewater infrastructure analytics specialist focused on GIS, spatial-temporal analytics, and data-driven decision-making for municipal infrastructure systems. His work combines geospatial intelligence, condition assessment a... Show more

Hi! I am a frontend enthousiast that loves diving into Developer Experience. Looking forward to new technologies, ways to level up teams and individuals, while finding things to make developing programs more enjoyable.

Hi! I am a frontend enthousiast that loves diving into Developer Experience. Looking forward to new technologies, ways to level up teams and individuals, while finding things to make developing programs more enjoyable. Show more

Raahul Singh has spent nearly six years at Phaidra as a Staff AI Research Engineer focused on one problem: making AI systems reason reliably about complex physical infrastructure. He is a co-inventor on US patent US20250021061A1, granted in January 2025, covering deterministic thermal constraint control systems directly related to the architectural concepts discussed in this session. Prior to Phaidra, he contributed to Google Summer of Code through SunPy/OpenAstronomy, developing forecasting systems for high-dimensional solar physics time-series data.

Raahul Singh has spent nearly six years at Phaidra as a Staff AI Research Engineer focused on one problem: making AI systems reason reliably about complex physical infrastructure. He is a co-inventor on US patent US20250021061A1, granted in January 2... Show more