In this keynote, Dr. Seth Dobrin explores how AI is reshaping the arms race and enhancing resilience. Attendees will learn how to build resilient, human-focused security systems that balance innovation with trust and transparency. Dr. Dobrin will share strategies for integrating AI ethically and responsibly, including best practices for explainable AI, bias mitigation, and user empowerment. The session will highlight the importance of collaboration between security professionals, AI developers, and organizational leaders to ensure that AI augments-not replaces-human expertise, and that security remains a shared, values-driven mission.

Speaker:

• Dr. Seth Dobrin | CEO, QANTM AI

Learn what really happens when a cyber-attack hits? In this eye-opening session, members of the Memphis SIM Chapter draw from firsthand experience to walk you through real-world cyber incidents—what unfolded, what went wrong, what worked, and what they’d do differently next time.
Additionally, there will be discussion regarding leveraging A.I. for future protection of the business. How does Agentic A.I. fit in today’s landscape?

This session is sponsored by: SIM Memphis

SPEAKERS:

• Jimmy Arbelaez | Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Manager, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

• Lana Davenport | Chief Information Security Officer, Sylvamo

• Alex Tartera | SVP Information Security & Privacy, MAA

• Lynette Larkins | Senior Director Information Security, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

• Tony Fischer | Chief Information Officer / Director of Information Technology, City of Germantown

In a time defined by rapid change and emerging technologies, collaboration across communities, sectors, and skillsets has never been more essential—or more inspiring.
This session brings together voices from across the innovation ecosystem: from citizen developers creating tools at the grassroots level, to tech organizers shaping Memphis’ thriving tech scene, to leaders driving city-wide innovation and broadband infrastructure.

SPEAKERS

• Brian Swanson | Co-Founder, GiveCamp Memphis
• JC Smiley | Founder , Tech Scene Media
• HackerMane | Founder, MEMSEC DEFCON901
• Kathy MacDonald | Senior Director, Ookla

AI is no longer just behind the scenes—it’s shaping how we live, shop, and make decisions every day. This session dives into the real-world impact of AI on consumers and the ripple effects across industries.
Explore how AI-empowered individuals are transforming the marketplace, shifting expectations, and redefining the relationship between buyers and sellers.

SPEAKERS:

• Dr. Srikar Velichety | Associate Professor, University of Memphis
• Steve Phipps | Founder / President, Wayfind Marketing
• James Miller | Mergers and Acquisitions, VRC Companies, LLC
• Austin Harris | Deputy Director & CTO, Center for Urban Informatics and Progress at UTC Research Institute

How is the fusion of AI and cybersecurity reshaping the future of work? This session explores the transformative impact on students, emerging professionals, and the organizations that will employ them.
Discover how evolving technologies are redefining what it means to build a meaningful career—and how universities around the world are stepping up as hubs of innovation, talent, and breakthrough value in this rapidly changing landscape.

SPEAKERS:

• Pierre Landaiche | CEO, UMRF Ventures

• Angela Wilkins | Executive Director of the Ken Kennedy Institute, Rice University
• Sherita Johnson | CIO, UMRF Ventures
• Tyler | Student, University of Memphis - UMRF Ventures
• Eli | Student, University of Memphis - UMRF Ventures

What happens when AI meets the high-stakes world of broadband cybersecurity? In this forward-looking session, you'll hear directly from the experts shaping the future of cyber defense in one of the most critical sectors: broadband infrastructure.
Learn how organizations are rethinking their data strategies—not only to strengthen security, but also to unlock more powerful, responsible, and effective AI systems.

• Travis Good | Enterprise Security Director, Ookla

• Michael Silva | Founder & CEO, Emely AI

• Dr. Dipankar Dasgupta | Hill Professor in Cybersecurity and Director, Center for Information Assurance, University of Memphis

• Dr. Pavankumar Mulgund | Assistant Professor in the Management Information Systems, University of Memphis

Step beyond the hype and into the trenches of real-world AI deployment. In this dynamic session, industry leaders will share hard-earned lessons from the front lines—what worked, what didn’t, and what companies need to know before launching AI initiatives.
Explore the everyday challenges organizations face when adopting AI, and discover the most immediate, practical opportunities where AI can deliver real value today.
Plus: Get an insider’s look at the world’s first—and largest—Microsoft Co-Pilot pilot program. Learn how it's reshaping productivity, decision-making, and workforce transformation at scale.

This session sponsored by: eBiz Solutions

SPEAKERS

• Shridhar Sunkara | CEO, eBiz Solutions

• Christoph Sieger | Former Vice President Head of Global Digital Workplace, Bayer

• Payton Baran | Founder, AuditPro.ai

• Ajitabh Gupta |VP - IT Innovation, Sedgwick