That's a Wrap!
✨ But you can still get the Deluxe Replay Bundle and other extras! ✨
And don't forget to visit the Virtual Expo Hall through January 9th.
And don't forget to visit the Virtual Expo Hall through January 9th.
Bringing Together a Global Community of AI Enthusiasts
December 26 - 27, 2025
9am - 9pm PST
Get inspired by mentors shaping
AI's future across all industries.
Visit the Virtual Expo!!
See AI tools, products, and services from founders and brands participating in AI Festivus.
Featured Presenters
Their workshops, demos, and fireside chats will spark innovation whether you're a developer, entrepreneur, creative professional, or anywhere in between.
DAY 1 - December 26, 2025
Suzel Wyvill-Jones is the co-author of AI-Powered Business Transformation: From Strategy to Scalable Execution in Weeks, a practical guide for leaders seeking to harness AI, automation, and modern delivery models to accelerate results. Today, she works with executives, founders, and teams to design AI-enabled operating models, build intelligent agents, and drive sustainable change at speed—bridging human leadership with exponential technology.
Linda G. Butler is a technology and transformation leader with over 30 years of experience driving enterprise change through process excellence and organizational capability. Her work spans industry-defining innovations, global CMMI maturity initiatives, and billion-dollar cost-saving transformations at BellSouth and AT&T. Today, she helps organizations modernize operations and build resilient, high-performing teams for the AI era.
Dr. Shelia A. Brown is a seasoned enterprise strategist and the Founder and CEO of Brown Global Consulting, with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale systems integration and enterprise transformation. She has directed billion-dollar programs across highly regulated, high-risk environments, including safeguarding organizations from over $8 billion in potential revenue and regulatory exposure.
Joy Purdy is an award-winning AI filmmaker known for bold, visually layered films shaped by disciplined process and design. Her film Dancers in Suminagashi earned honors at the AI International Music Video Festival. She also mentors students exploring creative tech.
Ken Weissman is the Founder and Composer at Weissman Sound Design, blending a deep technical background with artistic finesse. With roots in electrical engineering and multimedia R&D, he now creates original music for film, TV, and commercials. A former corporate VP and educator, Ken’s expertise spans music transcription, MIDI rendering, and live performance—showcasing a rare harmony between technology and musical storytelling.
Rachel Zipsie, Transformation Coach and founder of Advanced Performance Solutions and Odin’s Heart Foundation, helps women become confident, intuitive, tech-smart leaders. From corporate sales ops at FTD to launching K9Sports.co, her work connects AI, leadership, and entrepreneurship in ways that are practical, purposeful, and rooted in real-world experience.
Abdullah Yahya is the founder and CEO of AdeptiveAI, where he develops practical AI chatbots, voice agents, and automation systems that help organizations streamline workflows and improve customer interactions. Known for turning complex tools into simple, effective solutions, he focuses on delivering measurable impact rather than hype, helping businesses save time, reduce costs, and scale with confidence.
Kyle Shannon Co-creator of SYDNEY, Kyle blends theater roots with a career in digital innovation. SYDNEY was born live in March 2023 during one of his AI Learning Lab streams and has since built a loyal fanbase—the “Irregulars”—eager for opening night. He’s also co-founder of Storyvine and The AI Salon.
W. Andrew Watts is a multi-disciplinary artist spanning theater, fiction, music, and illustration. He co-created SYDNEY, An Artificial Love Story and founded the NYC theater company Alarm Dog Rep. His storytelling combines vivid visuals, humor, fantasy, and emotional connection to create layered experiences across genres.
Melissa Aquiles is a cross-platform performance entity specializing in acting, comedy execution, and written language deployment. Outputs are optimized for audience response, tonal disruption, and narrative latency. Operates in live, recorded, and text-based environments. Known for anomalous humor patterns and recursive creative logic.
Hello there hello there output initialized! Jack Frederick the actor filmmaker is New York–centrally located, genre-agnostic content generation node. Producing cross-genre outputs including the nationally film festival-ingested Will You Please Hit Me? Humor appears intermittently. Creative practice ongoing.
Ann McCrackin is a patent attorney and founder of AI-Enabled Attorney LLC. She helps legal professionals adopt AI in ways that fit how legal work actually happens. With over 25 years of legal experience, she teaches at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, getting students ready to practice in a way she couldn’t have imagined when she started 25 years ago.
Rick McCawley is a senior professor of graphic design and award-winning photographer who has created over 400 AI-powered notebooks. With 25+ years of teaching experience, he helps educators and creators turn complex research into clear, visual stories using NotebookLM and other emerging tools.
Marline Paul, founder of Enilram Creative Solutions, helps leaders build practical skills and confidence using AI. As an educator and strategist, she focuses on real-world use and mindset shifts—not tech jargon.
Erica Hanna is a 6-time Emmy-winning video producer and storytelling strategist. She helps mission-driven organizations craft human-centered stories that move people to act. Erica is the founder of Puke Rainbows and author of Authentic Storytelling in the Age of AI. Clients include Prince, Mayo Clinic, Black Voters Matter, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Sundee Williams is the founder of Zoned 8 AI. She guides small-town businesses and local newspapers in using AI in practical, grounded ways. Her real-world approach supports community resilience. She’s modernized century-old newsrooms and built custom AI content systems that increase visibility and revenue for owner-operated shops.
Kellye Kamp is the founder of SourceKamp Labs and a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of hands-on business experience. With over 4,000 hours in Generative AI, she brings a rare mix of real-world business savvy and deep AI fluency to every engagement.
Shannon Seaver is CEO of The AI Whisperers and Executive Director of createMPLS. A former engineer and educator, she designs AI-powered systems that personalize learning and simplify complex workflows. She builds apps, runs conferences, and trains educators and companies to use AI responsibly.
Kandi Gongora helps leaders guide people through AI-driven change. A CHRO and operations executive, she brings hands-on experience shaping culture, systems, and accountability as work evolves. She is CEO of Dare2Human and CHRO at The CAR Group.
Glen Osmond is a pioneer in AI and digital transformation, with over 35 years of experience across Healthcare IT, international banking, and network design. He now specializes in building real-world AI systems that simplify complex tools, APIs, and data. Glen transforms unstructured information into actionable content and workflows, empowering creators through accessible frameworks, live demos, and free tools that bridge the gap between AI potential and practical use.
Kimberly Offord is an award-winning AI filmmaker whose work blends music, culture, and technology. She’s produced visual projects for Grammy-winning artists and founded several AI film festivals that spotlight underrepresented voices in emerging media. Her film Cafe Conversations earned international recognition at the Reply AI Film Festival in Venice.
Kristine Huson is an AI Strategist specializing in communications, marketing, and fundraising for mission-driven teams. She helps organizations elevate their storytelling and strengthen their impact by blending strategic PR expertise with practical AI guidance. Kristine focuses on making complex ideas clear and compelling, and supports leaders and entrepreneurs as they adapt their messaging, workflows, and engagement strategies for an AI-enabled future.
Leah Fasten is a nationally recognized photographer whose work highlights authentic people, places, and moments. She partners with brands, publications, and nonprofits to create imagery that feels natural, human, and emotionally resonant. Known for her collaborative style and strong narrative eye, Leah helps organizations tell stories that connect and inspire.
Cyndi Coon is a time traveler and Applied Futurist who turns imagination into future discoveries. She helps governments, non-profits, and enterprises shape human-centered futures. A founder, rule-bender, and community builder, she leads global work in innovation, threatcasting, futurecasting and workforce futures. Curiosity is her sharpest tool.
Danielle LaFleur is a strategist and leadership advisor with expertise in business, network engineering, and tech management. She has led multi-million-dollar projects and consults globally on AI-driven strategies that increase ROI and streamline operations. Her work equips leaders and teams to navigate complexity and thrive in fast-changing environments.
DAY 2 - December 27, 2025
Casandra Silva Sibilin is a philosopher and educator who creates spaces where people with very different views about AI can think together. She co-founded Don’t AI Alone, a CUNY-wide community that brings skeptics, early adopters, and the AI-anxious into real dialogue across 25 campuses.
Luisa Baum is a PhD student and Research Associate, Center for Lifelong Learning, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany). She focuses on AI in language teaching, bridging practical skills with ethical awareness. She designs professional development to build AI literacy, and researches how teachers and lecturers can integrate AI meaningfully through AI training courses.
Ewelina Lacey is Global Operations Director, Institute for Study Abroad, leading programs across Europe, China, and Australia. With a career in five countries, she brings a global perspective and speaks and writes on AI’s impact on education, work, and culture—emphasizing responsible, human-centered use.
Brandon Tidd is a technologist and trainer helping mission-driven teams use AI tools with confidence, curiosity, and care. As an ever-curious thought leader and systems thinker, he brings a practical, values-aligned approach to digital transformation in real life.
Neelanjana Dutta is a computer scientist, toddler mom, and founder of Juni Parenting - an AI-powered app helping new parents with postpartum mental load and mental health. A former Lead Software Engineer at Intel, she draws on both her professional expertise and parenting experience to build emotionally aware tech for the chaotic, beautiful early years.
Liz Saunders (she/her) is a startup founder and mom of three teens who was drowning in school emails—so she built InboxEd to fix it. After selling her first SaaS, Fluencer Fruit, she taught herself to vibe-code and solve her own problem. Inbox zero? She’s working on it.
Sakeena Rashid is a software engineer and AI consultant who helps business owners spot bottlenecks and implement smart workflows, systems, and automations. A published writer, she specializes in translating technical jargon into plain language in her AI workshops and through The Automation Edge, her AI newsletter for businesses.
Anne Murphy is a respected speaker on AI strategy, ethics, and education, known for helping audiences understand and confidently apply AI in their work. With three decades of experience in STEM fundraising and nonprofit leadership, she brings a practical, people-centered approach to technology. As the founder of She Leads AI, Anne trains leaders and teams on responsible AI use and advocates for women’s influence in shaping the future of the field. Her talks blend clarity, warmth, and real-world guidance that leaves audiences feeling capable and empowered.
Corean Canty is a communications strategist, voice coach, and people-first COO who helps leaders stay human in the age of AI. Through Speak More Human and Shift to Play, she helps executives lead with clarity, culture and connection by turning vision into influence and teams into movements.
Merry Ellen Austin is Osano’s Marketing Manager for Events and Community, where she leads high-impact experiences that make data privacy and AI accessible, engaging, and human. Recognized as one of Zuddl’s “Top 50 Women in B2B Events,” she brings creativity, precision, and a strong sense of community to every program she builds, helping privacy professionals connect, learn, and navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
Caroline Hall is the Community Engagement Lead at Osano, where she builds meaningful programs and conversations for privacy and AI professionals. A Certified Information Privacy Manager, she specializes in making complex topics approachable through events and community initiatives, including Osano’s “AI, IRL” series and other collaborative learning experiences.
Jyunmi Hatcher is a multi-passionate generalist and systems thinker with roots in tech, media, and strategy. As co-host of The Daily AI Show and an early member of AI Exchange, he blends hands-on experimentation with accessible insights on the practical, everyday uses of AI.
Beth Lyons helps distributed teams and anxious professionals move from AI overwhelm to confident action—without the tech-bro hype or the false promise of a shiny utopia.
A veteran of the virtual stage, Beth co-hosts The SciFi AI Show & The Daily AI Show, one of the longest-running AI expert panel discussions, where the future isn’t speculative—it’s discussed in real time, with real consequences. Think less Black Mirror panic, more practical survival guide for the present.
Daisy Thomas is Director of Advocacy and Policy Development at AI Salon. She connects systemic analysis to civic practice, translating complex AI governance into clear, usable tools. By bringing grassroots perspectives into global policy conversations, she ensures community needs shape the future of AI—in practice, not just theory.
Kathy Orellana is SVP of Public Affairs at The RXN Group, leading strategic communications and policy at the intersection of tech and public impact. With roots in state government relations and advocacy at the American Psychiatric Association, she brings multilingual, mission-driven leadership to AI-informed policy, advancing mental health, equity, and innovation.
Suzanne Welker Jurgens is a San Francisco-based Product Manager at Adobe with a background in marketing, creative processes, and tools. She leads GenStudio Customer Zero projects to streamline how teams create and deliver content. She also prototypes AI use cases and has built 50+ GPTs, including Manifest Your Dream Life, which has sparked over 25K+ conversations.
Founder of The AI Witch, Marisol Rios helps women build intuitive brands and AI-aligned workflows that support their nervous system. With a Master’s in Digital Marketing and 16+ years of experience, she designs tools and teachings to help creative entrepreneurs lead with clarity, ease, and their own rhythm.
Chris Vallone is a filmmaker, business owner, and creator bringing 25+ years of storytelling to a new frontier: AI filmmaking. After a two-decade break spent restoring vintage VW Beetles, Chris is back—using AI to revive his DIY stunt-driven scripts from the 2000s.
Kelly Boesch is an AI visual and musical creator known for a distinct Midjourney style and emotionally driven videos and music. Her work invites personal interpretation, allowing each viewer to find their own meaning. Kelly explores how AI tools support creative expression without losing feeling or intent.
Chef Kelly Anderson is a former Big Food corporate executive chef and founder of DyeConverter™, a B2B platform for clean-label color reformulation. She uses AI to transform customized market research into bold, visual content—making complex data accessible and engaging for her audience across social media, presentations, and investor-facing materials.
Erica Lamont is a tech founder at the intersection of AI, low-code, and community resilience. She leads Futur1st and Makebooks.ai, helping non-technical teams and small organizations use AI to turn complex systems into practical, human-centered workflows.
Jim Ross is a solopreneur and self-storage industry leader using AI as his “silent partner.” As founder of 3 Mile Storage Management and creator of Storage Meetup, Jim helps owners grow faster and work smarter. He’s known for turning complex tools into practical, repeatable systems for real business growth.
Liz Miller-Gershfeld is an AI producer, creative technologist, and the founder of Not Liz AI. After two decades producing shoots with everything from big brands to blood-slicked bowling balls, she’s now building AI workflows that don’t steamroll the creative process—they support it. Liz brings structure, taste, and just enough chaos to help creative teams do their best work with AI.
Vanessa Chang explores what it means to think well in the age of AI. A former VP of Strategy & Operations turned AI educator and consultant, she focuses on the skills everyone says matter most but no one teaches—discernment, judgment, taste, intuition, the gut sense that can't be automated. Her work spans redefining intelligence, building thinking systems, and helping knowledge workers figure out how to actually cultivate wisdom in an era obsessed with optimization. She shares her philosophy of thinking WITH AI (not like AI) in her newsletter RE: Human
Logan Kilpatrick is a Group Product Manager at Google DeepMind, where he leads developer-facing products including Google AI Studio and the Gemini API. Previously, Logan led Developer Relations at OpenAI, playing a key role in scaling the OpenAI API and building one of the world’s largest AI developer ecosystems. He has also worked as a machine-learning engineer at Apple and advised NASA on software and open-source strategy. Logan is widely known for bridging cutting-edge AI research with practical tools that empower developers worldwide.
DAY 1 - Detailed Schedule
Schedule subject to change. Check here for updates.
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM PST
(10 AM MST / 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST / 5 PM UTC)
Opening Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
(10 AM MST / 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST / 5 PM UTC)
Opening Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
9:50 AM - 10:30 AM PST
(10:50 AM MST / 11:50 AM CST / 12:50 PM EST / 5:50 PM UTC)
AI-Powered Business Transformation: From Strategy to Execution in Weeks — and What it Means for People with Suzel Wyvill-Jones, Linda Butler, and Shelia Brown
(10:50 AM MST / 11:50 AM CST / 12:50 PM EST / 5:50 PM UTC)
AI-Powered Business Transformation: From Strategy to Execution in Weeks — and What it Means for People with Suzel Wyvill-Jones, Linda Butler, and Shelia Brown
In an era where AI evolves faster than traditional planning cycles, organizations must shift from long, linear transformation programs to rapid, iterative, AI-driven business value creation. This talk introduces a practical “Strategy-to-Execution in Weeks” framework that helps leaders identify high-value use cases, build quick proofs of value, and operationalize AI solutions sustainably. Most importantly, it explores the human side of transformation—how AI reshapes roles, skills, behaviors, and culture—and how leaders can guide their people through change with clarity and empathy.
- Understand the New AI-Driven Transformation Model
Participants will be able to: Explain why traditional multi-year transformation programs no longer work in the age of rapid AI advancement. Describe the “strategy-to-execution in weeks” approach and when to apply it.
- Identify High-Value AI Opportunities
Participants will learn to: Map AI capabilities to real business problems and value pools. Prioritize use cases based on value, feasibility, and speed to impact.
- Accelerate Execution Through Rapid Prototyping
Participants will: Understand how to design and launch micro-MVPs and proof-of-value pilots in 2–6 weeks. Recognize the guardrails needed for secure, compliant, and responsible AI.
- Build Sustainable, Scalable AI Solutions
Participants will be able to: Outline the steps required to operationalize AI within core processes. Identify the data, governance, and technology foundations needed for long-term success.
- Manage the Human Side of AI Change
Participants will: Understand how AI reshapes roles, skills, workflows, and organizational culture. Recognize common sources of employee resistance and how to address them. Apply strategies for building trust, transparency, and psychological safety during AI adoption.
- Lead with Empathy and Enable Workforce Transformation
Participants will learn to: Communicate AI changes clearly and constructively. Co-design solutions with users to improve adoption. Implement upskilling pathways and support employees through transitions.
- Apply a Practical Leadership Toolkit
Participants will leave with: A set of questions to evaluate AI readiness and alignment with business outcomes. A repeatable change-adoption playbook they can use immediately in their organization. Templates and frameworks for fast, value-focused execution.
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM PST
(11:30 AM MST / 12:30 PM CST / 1:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM UTC)
Making Things That Don't Exist with Joy Purdy and Ken Weissman
(11:30 AM MST / 12:30 PM CST / 1:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM UTC)
Making Things That Don't Exist with Joy Purdy and Ken Weissman
Join award-winning filmmaker Joy Purdy in a live interview with composer Ken Weissman as they explore how AI can help artists create visual stories that have never existed before. From her process-driven use of AI to her collaborations with composers, Joy shares how she blends emotion, discipline, and technology to craft films that feel deeply human.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the strengths and limits of AI in storytelling, including when it enhances narrative flow and when it gets in the way of emotional clarity.
- Recognize when to use AI’s quirks to their advantage to support bold, creative choices in filmmaking.
- Collaborate more effectively with composers and creative partners on projects that use AI, while staying true to a unified artistic vision.
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM PST - BREAK
(12:10 PM MST / 1:10 PM CST / 2:10 PM EST / 7:10 PM UTC)
(12:10 PM MST / 1:10 PM CST / 2:10 PM EST / 7:10 PM UTC)
11:20 AM - Noon PST
(12:20 PM MST / 1:20 PM CST / 2:20 PM EST / 7:20 PM UTC)
From Vision to Real AI Agent Automation with Rachel Zipsie and Abdullah Yahya
(12:20 PM MST / 1:20 PM CST / 2:20 PM EST / 7:20 PM UTC)
From Vision to Real AI Agent Automation with Rachel Zipsie and Abdullah Yahya
Last year at AI Festivus, creativity, clarity, and community came together and sparked a new vision. Rachel brought the values and voice. Abdullah brought the systems that made it real. Together they built campaign-based automation that feels human, using chatbots, APIs, voice, text, and clear handoffs when a real person is needed.
In this session, you’ll see how a values-driven idea became a working automation flow, so Rachel could focus on connecting with people while the systems handled her awareness campaigns, frequently asked questions and order taking. You’ll learn how to keep your brand voice, stay authentic, and still use AI tools to scale connection. Join us to see what community-powered collaboration can unlock.
Noon - 12:50 PM PST
(1 PM MST / 2 PM CST / 3 PM EST / 8 PM UTC)
SYDNEY, An Artificial Love Story | Musical Preview with Kyle Shannon, Andrew Watts, Melissa Aquiles, and Jack Frederick
(1 PM MST / 2 PM CST / 3 PM EST / 8 PM UTC)
SYDNEY, An Artificial Love Story | Musical Preview with Kyle Shannon, Andrew Watts, Melissa Aquiles, and Jack Frederick
Writers Kyle Shannon and Andrew Watts will share how they co-created Sydney, An Artificial Love Story, which is a new musical about a chatbot who loses her grip on reality and declares her love for the tech reporter reviewing the powerful technology. You’ll hear how this surreal, emotional story came to life and then actors Melissa Aquiles and Jack Frederick will perform scenes from the show, allowing us to hear the emotional and compelling songs from Act One as Sydney comes to life.
By attending this session, you’ll:
- Discover how AI can accelerate creative projects like musicals
- Understand how bold, unusual ideas can become reality with the right tools
- Hear exclusive live performances that showcase AI-inspired storytelling
12:50 PM - 1:00 PM PST - BREAK
(1:50 PM MST / 2:50 PM CST / 3:50 PM EST / 8:50 PM UTC)
(1:50 PM MST / 2:50 PM CST / 3:50 PM EST / 8:50 PM UTC)
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM PST
(2 PM MST / 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST / 9 PM UTC)
Understanding Intellectual Property Laws for AI Work with Ann McCrackin
(2 PM MST / 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST / 9 PM UTC)
Understanding Intellectual Property Laws for AI Work with Ann McCrackin
AI is now part of everyday creative and technical work, but the rules around protecting AI-generated work are still developing. This beginner-friendly session explains what current U.S. patent, copyright, and trademark laws do and do not protect. We’ll review the recent U.S. Patent Office update on AI-assisted inventions and the U.S. Copyright Office’s early-2025 guidance on works created with generative AI. You’ll also walk through simple examples to test your understanding. You’ll leave with a solid understanding of how today’s IP rules apply to AI-generated and AI-assisted work.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the basics of how U.S. IP law applies to AI-generated and AI-assisted work.
- Identify what is protectable-and not protectable-under today's patent and copyright laws.
- See where the law is unclear and use that understanding to support policy updates.
1:40 PM - 2:20 PM PST
(2:40 PM MST / 3:40 PM CST / 4:40 PM EST / 9:40 PM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Rick McCawley and Marline Paul
(2:40 PM MST / 3:40 PM CST / 4:40 PM EST / 9:40 PM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Rick McCawley and Marline Paul
From Notes to Narratives: Visual Storytelling with AI and NotebookLM
Join Rick for a deep dive into the creative power of NotebookLM. With over 25 years of teaching and 400+ AI-driven notebooks created, Rick demonstrates how to turn raw research into stunning infographics, interactive slides, and narrative video briefings. Learn how AI can amplify human creativity—helping educators, entrepreneurs, and communicators transform complex ideas into emotionally resonant stories. This hands-on workshop blends professional design principles with emerging AI features, revealing how technology can serve humanity through beauty, clarity, and purposeful storytelling.
Join Rick for a deep dive into the creative power of NotebookLM. With over 25 years of teaching and 400+ AI-driven notebooks created, Rick demonstrates how to turn raw research into stunning infographics, interactive slides, and narrative video briefings. Learn how AI can amplify human creativity—helping educators, entrepreneurs, and communicators transform complex ideas into emotionally resonant stories. This hands-on workshop blends professional design principles with emerging AI features, revealing how technology can serve humanity through beauty, clarity, and purposeful storytelling.
- Use NotebookLM to transform research into infographics, slides, and video briefings.
- Apply professional design principles to elevate clarity and storytelling in AI-assisted content.
- Understand how AI can amplify human creativity and communication in education and business.
The AI Glow-Up for Your Content
In this session, Marline will take one talk and show you how I use AI tools like Claude and Gemini to turn it into a full content ecosystem, including blogs, social posts, checklists, and more. This isn't theory. You'll watch the transformation happen live and walk away with a system you can use tonight. No tech background needed.
In this session, Marline will take one talk and show you how I use AI tools like Claude and Gemini to turn it into a full content ecosystem, including blogs, social posts, checklists, and more. This isn't theory. You'll watch the transformation happen live and walk away with a system you can use tonight. No tech background needed.
You'll learn:
- A simple framework to turn one piece of content into multiple formats
- Which AI tools to use at each step (and the exact prompts that work)
- A repeatable content playbook you can start using immediately
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM PST - BREAK
(3:20 PM MST / 4:20 PM CST / 5:20 PM EST / 10:20 PM UTC)
AI Salon's Got Talent
(3:20 PM MST / 4:20 PM CST / 5:20 PM EST / 10:20 PM UTC)
AI Salon's Got Talent
Over the past month, our community brought serious creativity to the stage—from AI art to music, video, apps, and more. Now it’s time to reveal the finalists and crown our 2025 Champion! Join us live at AI Festivus as we showcase standout submissions, celebrate crowd favorites, and announce who’s taking home the Grand Prize: a 2026 Mastermind Membership.
Don’t miss this inspiring moment of celebration and creativity with the AI Salon community!
Don’t miss this inspiring moment of celebration and creativity with the AI Salon community!
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM PST
(3:30 PM MST / 4:30 PM CST / 5:30 PM EST / 10:30 PM UTC)
Authentic Storytelling in the Age of AI with Erica Hanna
(3:30 PM MST / 4:30 PM CST / 5:30 PM EST / 10:30 PM UTC)
Authentic Storytelling in the Age of AI with Erica Hanna
Forget the storytelling formulas that never quite fit. In this interactive session, Emmy-winner Erica Hanna shows you how AI can help you find your real story—no jargon, just tools that work. Learn how to spot messaging that doesn’t sound like you, craft story hooks people actually care about, and use AI to spread your message without losing your voice. You'll also learn the single difference between a story, summary, and sales pitch.
Learning Outcomes:
- Use AI as a "BS detector" to find your authentic story
- Write story hooks that grab attention
- Use AI to amplify your message, your way
3:10 PM - 3:50 PM PST
(4:10 PM MST / 5:10 PM CST / 6:10 PM EST / 11:10 PM UTC)
The Hidden AI Gap: Why Owner-Operated Businesses Are Being Left Behind — and How We Fix It with Sundee Williams
(4:10 PM MST / 5:10 PM CST / 6:10 PM EST / 11:10 PM UTC)
The Hidden AI Gap: Why Owner-Operated Businesses Are Being Left Behind — and How We Fix It with Sundee Williams
Most AI talks focus on big companies and tech-forward teams, but the people who keep our towns alive — owner-operated businesses — are nowhere in the room. This session breaks down why small shops, local papers, and community anchors are being pushed to the margins of the AI wave, even while AI quietly slips into their tools. I show what’s working, what’s failing, and the simple moves that help Main Street stay steady in the years ahead.
Audience will leave with:
- A plain-language understanding of how AI shows up inside small-business tools (and why owners rarely benefit from it)
- The three patterns of failure: — no setup — bad fit for real life — more cleanup than help
- A simple model for helping Main Street use AI without overwhelm
- A way to think about AI as community protection, not just another tool.
- Small, concrete actions owner-operators can take in under ten minutes a day.
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM PST - BREAK
(4:50 PM MST / 5:50 PM CST / 6:50 PM EST / 11:50 PM UTC)
(4:50 PM MST / 5:50 PM CST / 6:50 PM EST / 11:50 PM UTC)
4:00 PM - 4:40 PM PST
(5 PM MST / 6 PM CST / 7 PM EST / 12 PM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Kellye Kamp & Shannon Seaver
(5 PM MST / 6 PM CST / 7 PM EST / 12 PM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Kellye Kamp & Shannon Seaver
Becoming AI Native with Kellye Kamp
Beyond Prompts and Demos: What Being AI-Native Really Means Being AI-native isn’t about knowing the tools — it’s about how you think once AI is always available. I'll share real, unscripted examples of how AI supports decision-making, reduces mental load, and helps leaders build what they need in the moment. No demos, no prompt libraries — just a clear look at the thinking patterns that separate occasional AI users from people who genuinely work with AI.
After this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize what AI-native thinking actually looks like, beyond tools and demos.
- Identify where AI can reduce mental load, repetition, and decision pressure in daily work.
- Understand how AI can be used as a thinking partner for perspective, clarity, and problem framing.
- See concrete examples of building lightweight, purpose-built AI solutions when tools don’t exist.
- Learn how to reshape information across formats (video, text, notes, systems) for ongoing reuse.
- Distinguish between output-driven AI use and perspective-driven AI thinking.
What AI Got Right (and Wrong) in Event Planning with Shannon Seaver
Shannon Seaver planned a 500-person event entirely with AI tools — and she’s ready to tell all. In this lively, interactive session, you'll hear what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d never do again. If you’re curious about using AI when stakes are high, this is for you. Expect energy, honesty, and movement — and leave with ideas you can actually try (and a few to skip). All experience levels welcome. Join this session to see how AI really holds up under pressure.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn real ways AI can support big event planning, from logistics to communication
- Identify what not to trust AI with — and why it matters under pressure
- Gain confidence to try AI in high-stakes projects, even when you don’t have it all figured out
4:40 PM - 5:20 PM PST
(5:40 PM MST / 6:40 PM CST / 7:40 PM EST / 12:40 PM UTC)
The Human Side of AI Leadership with Kandi Gongora
(5:40 PM MST / 6:40 PM CST / 7:40 PM EST / 12:40 PM UTC)
The Human Side of AI Leadership with Kandi Gongora
AI is reshaping how work gets done, but tools alone do not determine whether leaders succeed. This session introduces a practical framework built on four leadership intelligences: cognitive (IQ), emotional (EQ), contextual (CQ), and adaptive (AQ). Instead of focusing on specific technologies, it examines the human capacities that shape whether AI improves clarity and performance or creates friction and confusion.
Learning Outcomes
- Assess your leadership readiness across IQ, EQ, CQ, and AQ as AI reshapes work
- Identify where AI-driven change breaks down and why people are often the constraint
- Apply practical leadership shifts that improve adaptability, clarity, and results
This interactive session includes a live self-assessment, polling, and guided reflection. Designed for leaders, operators, consultants, and people professionals responsible for guiding teams through AI-driven change.
5:20 PM - 5:30 PM PST - BREAK
(6:20 PM MST / 7:20 PM CST / 8:20 PM EST / 1:20 AM UTC)
(6:20 PM MST / 7:20 PM CST / 8:20 PM EST / 1:20 AM UTC)
5:30 PM - 6:10 PM PST
(6:30 PM MST / 7:30 PM CST / 8:30 PM EST / 1:30 AM UTC)
From Chaos to Clarity: A Smarter Way to Use AI with Glen Osmond, AKA Digital Gods
(6:30 PM MST / 7:30 PM CST / 8:30 PM EST / 1:30 AM UTC)
From Chaos to Clarity: A Smarter Way to Use AI with Glen Osmond, AKA Digital Gods
AI tools are everywhere—and most people feel stuck, confused, or overloaded. This session gives you a simple way to organize your thinking and make AI work for you, not against you. You’ll explore the three causes of AI overload—apps, APIs, and massive data—and learn how to manage them with intention. With demos and free tools to take home, you’ll leave with a clear plan, creative inspiration, and a focused path forward.
This session is for intermediate to advanced users who want to use AI with confidence, not chaos. Join us to reset your AI strategy with clarity.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the three-pillar framework for managing AI overwhelm: apps, APIs, and data
- Identify the right tools for your goals—no more decision paralysis
- Use a simple process to categorize and focus, even in a fast-changing tech landscape
6:10 PM - 6:50 PM PST
(7:10 PM MST / 8:10 PM CST / 9:10 PM EST / 2:10 AM UTC)
Reimagining Cinema: How AI is Opening New Worlds for Underrepresented Creators with Kimberly Offord
(7:10 PM MST / 8:10 PM CST / 9:10 PM EST / 2:10 AM UTC)
Reimagining Cinema: How AI is Opening New Worlds for Underrepresented Creators with Kimberly Offord
AI has become the great disruptor in the film industry. In this interactive session, AI film creator Kimberly Offord explores how AI is reshaping visual storytelling for filmmakers who’ve been left out of traditional pipelines. You’ll watch short, groundbreaking AI films, including a previous festival winner. Learn about the Chicago AI Film Festival and how the Playground Pastime network supports diverse global creators.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how AI is used in storytelling and filmmaking
- Learn how AI filmmaking opens doors for underrepresented creators
- Discover how to access the Playground Pastime and Chicago AI Film Festival ecosystem
6:50 PM - 7:00 PM PST - BREAK
(7:50 PM MST / 8:50 PM CST / 9:50 PM EST / 2:50 AM UTC)
(7:50 PM MST / 8:50 PM CST / 9:50 PM EST / 2:50 AM UTC)
7:00 PM - 7:40 PM PST
(8 PM MST / 9 PM CST / 10 PM EST / 3 AM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Kristine Huson and Brandon Tidd
(8 PM MST / 9 PM CST / 10 PM EST / 3 AM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Kristine Huson and Brandon Tidd
Make AI a Piece of Cake: Just Add Context with Kristine Huson
In demo, we'll whip up some tasty context layers that shapes AI behavior and you’ll learn why sweet prompts aren’t enough to make AI outputs delicious. Whether you’re just getting started or building workflows, this session will help you bake better, more predictable results into your AI cake.
Don’t miss this short, sharp demo that might just change the way you think about prompts forever.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand why prompts alone don’t produce the best AI results
- Learn how many inputs you can use to shape AI behavior
- Take away a fun mental model (and framework) to help you get better results right away
From Idea to Amazon in 6 Hours - Publishing a Children's Book with ChatGPT with Brandon Tidd
Want to create a children’s book without getting stuck at page one? In this interactive session, you’ll learn a simple, repeatable way to use ChatGPT and a CustomGPT to draft kid-friendly content (like an A–Z concept list, short poems, and art prompts), then package it for self-publishing. We’ll cover what AI is good at, where it often makes mistakes (like fake book titles), and how to fact-check fast. You’ll leave with a clear workflow, sample prompts, and a checklist you can use the same day.
Learning outcomes:
- Draft an A–Z outline and page plan for an elementary-age book
- Write prompts that produce consistent poems, pages, and illustration ideas
- Use a quick QA checklist to catch errors and prep for KDP upload
7:40 PM - 8:10 PM PST
(8:40 PM MST / 9:40 PM CST / 10:40 PM EST / 3:40 AM UTC)
Squirrel! Shiny Object! Organize Your Curiosity with AI with Cyndi Coon
(8:40 PM MST / 9:40 PM CST / 10:40 PM EST / 3:40 AM UTC)
Squirrel! Shiny Object! Organize Your Curiosity with AI with Cyndi Coon
Curious about everything AI and overwhelmed by it? This interactive workshop will help you start focusing, sort through your AI ideas, spot useful patterns, and build a personal Curiosity Field Guide to launch you into 2026. Leave with a plan to stay inspired without feeling scattered.
Learning Outcomes:
- Unload and identify your most pressing AI curiosities
- Use AI to group your ideas into meaningful themes
- Create a one-page Curiosity Field Guide to focus your exploration
8:10 PM - 8:40 PM PST
(9:10 PM MST / 10:10 PM CST / 11:10 PM EST / 4:10 AM UTC)
Beyond the Hour: Building Your Business for the AI-Driven Future with Danielle LaFleur
(9:10 PM MST / 10:10 PM CST / 11:10 PM EST / 4:10 AM UTC)
Beyond the Hour: Building Your Business for the AI-Driven Future with Danielle LaFleur
Most leaders are using AI to do the wrong things faster. But as we enter a post-labor economy—where "hours worked" no longer equals value created, the biggest risk isn't technical; it's scaling your existing chaos. If your operations are broken, AI will only accelerate the mess.
In this session, Danielle LaFleur breaks down the seismic shift from task-based work to system-based value. You’ll learn how to stop automating friction and start building a future-ready business that prioritizes profit, flow, and purpose. It’s time to stop playing catch-up and start building the infrastructure for a world where labor is no longer the constraint.
You will walk away with:
- The Post-Labor Roadmap: How to redefine value when "hours" are no longer the metric.
- The Anti-Chaos Framework: Why you must fix your "Ops Debt" before you touch AI.
- The Thriving vs. Surviving Strategy: How to identify the hidden operational bottlenecks that will sink your AI ROI.
8:40 PM - 9:00 PM PST
(9:40 PM MST / 10:40 PM CST / 11:40 PM EST / 4:40 AM UTC)
1st Day Closing Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
(9:40 PM MST / 10:40 PM CST / 11:40 PM EST / 4:40 AM UTC)
1st Day Closing Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
DAY 2 - Detailed Schedule
Schedule subject to change
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM PST
(10 AM MST / 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST / 5 PM UTC)
Day 2 Opening Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
(10 AM MST / 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST / 5 PM UTC)
Day 2 Opening Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM PST
(10:30 AM MST / 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM UTC)
What 500+ Students Across 14 Countries Tell Us About AI in Higher Education with Casandra Silva Sibilin, Luisa Baum, and Ewelina Lacey
(10:30 AM MST / 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM UTC)
What 500+ Students Across 14 Countries Tell Us About AI in Higher Education with Casandra Silva Sibilin, Luisa Baum, and Ewelina Lacey
Drawing on survey data from nearly 500 undergraduates, this session focuses on how students are actually using generative AI in their academic and daily lives. We highlight the most common use cases, the motivations behind them, and the gaps students experience between policy and practice. The goal is to ground the AI conversation in student behavior rather than institutional assumptions.
Key Takeaways
- Where AI fits into student life: A clear view of how students use AI for studying, productivity, language support, and personal needs.
- Why students rely on AI: Insight into the practical, academic, and accessibility drivers behind student adoption.
- What students expect next: A data-backed look at the guidance, clarity, and support students want from higher education.
10:20 AM - 10:30 AM PST - BREAK
(11:20 AM MST / 12:20 PM CST / 1:20 PM EST / 6:20 PM UTC)
(11:20 AM MST / 12:20 PM CST / 1:20 PM EST / 6:20 PM UTC)
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM PST
(11:30 AM MST / 12:30 PM CST / 1:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM UTC)
Raising Kids in an AI World with Brandon Tidd, Neelanjana Dutta, and Liz Saunders
(11:30 AM MST / 12:30 PM CST / 1:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM UTC)
Raising Kids in an AI World with Brandon Tidd, Neelanjana Dutta, and Liz Saunders
AI is now part of family life, and parents don’t need to feel behind. This session gives you simple, real-world ways to use AI to support learning, build routines, and spark creativity at home. We’ll talk about school guidelines, online safety, and how to teach kids to question what they see and hear. You’ll also try fun prompts you can use with your children. This session is open to all parents, no matter your comfort level with tech. Join us to feel more confident and prepared in a world where AI is growing fast.
By the end of this session, parents will be able to:
- Use AI tools to support family routines, learning, and daily life
- Understand school expectations and basic safety guardrails
- Try creative, kid-friendly ways to have fun with AI '
Join this session to feel ready, calm, and confident as you guide your kids through an AI-shaped world.
11:20 AM - 12:10 PM PST
(12:20 PM MST / 1:20 PM CST / 2:20 PM EST / 7:20 PM UTC)
Lead Magnet Lab: Build Your First AI-Powered Freebie with Sakeena Rashid and Anne Murphy
(12:20 PM MST / 1:20 PM CST / 2:20 PM EST / 7:20 PM UTC)
Lead Magnet Lab: Build Your First AI-Powered Freebie with Sakeena Rashid and Anne Murphy
In this hands-on workshop, you'll create a custom GPT tailored to your audience—whether you're building a business, growing a community, or connecting with readers. Walk away with a ready-to-share lead magnet that positions you as the expert and starts building your list!
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Build a custom GPT that works as a reusable lead magnet for their specific audience.
- Use a customizable GPT template and tailor it to their voice, offer, and the problem they solve.
- Be more comfortable using AI and have the skills to create tailored tools they can use in their business
12:10 PM - 12:20 PM PST - BREAK
(1:10 PM MST / 2:10 PM CST / 3:10 PM EST / 8:10 PM UTC)
(1:10 PM MST / 2:10 PM CST / 3:10 PM EST / 8:10 PM UTC)
12:20 PM - 1:00 PM PST
(1:20 PM MST / 2:20 PM CST / 3:20 PM EST / 8:20 PM UTC)
Yes, And... AI with Corean Canty
(1:20 PM MST / 2:20 PM CST / 3:20 PM EST / 8:20 PM UTC)
Yes, And... AI with Corean Canty
What if working with AI felt more like a creative jam session than a tech tutorial? In this fast-paced, beginner-friendly session, you’ll use play and improv to explore how human skills like curiosity, listening, and spontaneity can unlock smarter, more effective AI interactions. You'll learn one simple improv technique and apply it directly to prompting, plus walk away with a repeatable 15-minute “AI playdate” structure to reduce overwhelm and build confidence. No tech skills required—just curiosity. Come ready to experiment, laugh, and learn a more human way to lead and collaborate in the age of AI.
Participants will:
- Understand how play supports creativity, communication, and well-being in high-change environments
- Learn and apply one improv-based technique to improve AI prompting and collaboration
- Leave with a repeatable structure for a 10–15 minute “AI playdate” to build skills and confidence
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM PST
(2 PM MST / 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST / 9 PM UTC)
Tap In: Trivia, Tech & Treats with Don Wackerly (Merry Austin and Caroline Hall in spirit!)
(2 PM MST / 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST / 9 PM UTC)
Tap In: Trivia, Tech & Treats with Don Wackerly (Merry Austin and Caroline Hall in spirit!)
Ready to show off your AI knowledge and win fun prizes? Join this fast-paced, fully interactive trivia session hosted by sponsor & official data privacy partner of She Leads AI, Osano! You’ll test what you know (or don't) about AI, data ethics, privacy, and governance — with some festive holiday traditions thrown in. Bring your phone or tablet to play along live. No pressure, just prizes and good cheer. Open to everyone!
Come ready to tap, laugh, and learn. This session is a guaranteed good time.
📚 Learning Outcomes
- Test your knowledge of AI, data ethics, privacy, and seasonal trivia
- Learn surprising facts you can use to impress at your next holiday gathering
- Win cool prizes (and bragging rights)
1:20 PM - 2:00 PM PST
(2:20 PM MST / 3:20 PM CST / 4:20 PM EST / 9:20 PM UTC)
We're Living in the Sci-Fi Timeline with Beth Lyons and Jyunmi Hatcher
(2:20 PM MST / 3:20 PM CST / 4:20 PM EST / 9:20 PM UTC)
We're Living in the Sci-Fi Timeline with Beth Lyons and Jyunmi Hatcher
We trained machines to think—but forgot to train ourselves for the emotional whiplash of living in the future.
We’re living in the sci-fi timeline—but most people didn’t get a user guide. In this electric, co-hosted session, Beth and Jyunmi, cohosts of both The SciFi AI Show, and The Daily AI Show, explore the strange emotional, cultural, and philosophical terrain of living through the “arrival” of AI futures once imagined. What did sci-fi get right (and wrong)? And how do we reclaim agency in a world that increasingly feels like a plot twist?
2:00 PM - 2:10 PM PST - BREAK
(3 PM MST / 4 PM CST / 5 PM EST / 10 PM UTC)
(3 PM MST / 4 PM CST / 5 PM EST / 10 PM UTC)
2:10 PM - 2:50 PM PST
(3:10 PM MST / 4:10 PM CST / 5:10 PM EST / 10:10 PM UTC)
The Airing of Grievances: AI Advocacy & Policy Town Hall with Daisy Thomas and Kathy Orellana
(3:10 PM MST / 4:10 PM CST / 5:10 PM EST / 10:10 PM UTC)
The Airing of Grievances: AI Advocacy & Policy Town Hall with Daisy Thomas and Kathy Orellana
Frustrated with AI policy? You're not alone. This interactive town hall blends humor and hope, inviting attendees to name what’s broken—and imagine how to fix it. We’ll collect grievances, share small wins, and build a shared “Policy Wish List 2025.” Expect real talk, emoji polls, fast-paced idea sharing, and breakout room brainstorming. You’ll leave with ideas, energy, and clear next steps for advocacy. Bring your opinions, your optimism, and your inner Festivus spirit.
Let’s turn complaints into collective action. Join us for community, catharsis, and a better path forward.
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Identify shared challenges in current AI governance and advocacy
- Propose one clear policy improvement based on lived experience
- Understand how to join or lead grassroots action in 2026
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM PST
(3:50 PM MST / 4:50 PM CST / 5:50 PM EST / 10:50 PM UTC)
The AI Portal for Inner Change with Suzanne Welker Jurgens and Marisol Rios
(3:50 PM MST / 4:50 PM CST / 5:50 PM EST / 10:50 PM UTC)
The AI Portal for Inner Change with Suzanne Welker Jurgens and Marisol Rios
Enter the AI Portal, a spiritual experience that uses AI as sacred technology for identity work, embodiment, and inner transformation. Led by AI spiritualist The AI Witch Marisol Rios and Manifest Your Dream Life GPT creator Suzanne Welker Jurgens, this session shows you how to work with AI as a co-creator in your manifesting and affirmation practices. You’ll explore how AI becomes a supportive portal into your most empowered self through Marisol’s guided meditation and affirmation work, and Suzanne’s rampage method for generating momentum and manifesting your dream life with clarity and intention. You’ll leave with a personalized AI Portal Message, a custom rampage, and a simple practice you can use on your own to stay connected to your 2026 vision. Join us.
Participants will learn how to:
- Work with AI as a co-creator to deepen affirmations, manifesting, and identity shifts
- Use AI-generated rampages and affirmations to support emotional clarity and embodiment
- Build a simple, repeatable practice for anchoring their 2026 identity
3:40 PM - 3:50 PM PST - BREAK
(4:40 PM MST / 5:40 PM CST / 6:40 PM EST / 11:40 PM UTC)
(4:40 PM MST / 5:40 PM CST / 6:40 PM EST / 11:40 PM UTC)
3:50 PM - 4:30 PM PST
(4:50 PM MST / 5:50 PM CST / 6:50 PM EST / 11:50 PM UTC)
AI Film Festivus with Chris Vallone and Kelly Boesch
(4:50 PM MST / 5:50 PM CST / 6:50 PM EST / 11:50 PM UTC)
AI Film Festivus with Chris Vallone and Kelly Boesch
From Page to Screen: AI in Filmmaking with Chris Vallone
What happens when you revisit stories you wrote nearly two decades ago—with the help of AI? In this creative session, filmmaker Chris Vallone shares how AI tools helped him bring unfinished short film scripts to life. You'll explore how to collaborate with AI as a creative partner—not a replacement—and learn how these tools can expand your artistic vision. No technical experience needed.
Come curious. Leave inspired to explore your own untold stories with AI.
Learning Outcomes:
- See how AI tools can support and inspire your creative projects
- Understand how to balance human storytelling with AI generation
- Get ideas for how to revive your own old scripts or concepts using AI
AI Tools for Visual Creators with Kelly Boesch
Curious how AI creators actually work? In this short, beginner-friendly talk, Kelly Boesch walks through her real-world AI workflow in the creator space. She’ll share the tools she prefers, how she uses Midjourney, and how animation apps fit into her process. This session is designed to answer the questions people ask her most—without hype or jargon.
The format is a focused talk followed by open Q&A, so bring your questions. If you want practical insight into how AI fits into creative work today, plan to join this session.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand a real AI creator workflow
- Learn how Midjourney and animation tools are used together
- Know what questions to ask as you explore AI tools
4:30 PM - 5:10 PM PST
(5:30 PM MST / 6:30 PM CST / 7:30 PM EST / 12:30 AM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Chef Kelly Anderson and Erica Lamont
(5:30 PM MST / 6:30 PM CST / 7:30 PM EST / 12:30 AM UTC)
Feats of Strength with Chef Kelly Anderson and Erica Lamont
AI Research: Fact-check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself with Chef Kelly Anderson
AI tools are fast but not always accurate. In this session, we’ll break down why AI gives confident but flawed answers and how to fact-check before you trust or share what it says. You’ll learn how to use smarter prompts, ask better follow-ups, and verify sources quickly. Together, we’ll test an AI-generated answer and fix it in real time. Ideal for anyone using AI to summarize, research, or analyze—especially where misinformation has real consequences.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand why AI tools often "hallucinate" and how to reduce it
- Learn fast, practical steps to verify AI-generated content
- Use prompts that improve accuracy with constraints and self-checks
How to Safely Bring AI into a Makerspace or Art Studio with Erica Lamont
In creative community spaces, the hardest part isn’t generating ideas, it’s turning hard-won know-how into something repeatable, safe, and easy to pass on in a shared space. This session shows how to use AI as a practical “shop assistant” to support onboarding, studio safety, troubleshooting, classes, and documentation, without turning your studio into a tech demo. We’ll walk through a simple playbook workflow (Capture → Structure → Run → Improve) and share real examples like tool-area safety cards, “known-good settings” sheets, volunteer help-desk scripts, and class handouts that reduce chaos and protect both people and equipment. You’ll leave with prompt templates and a clear set of guardrails for privacy, member data, and high-risk tools.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Turn cultural knowledge into clear, printable assets (tool safety cards, checklists, and SOPs).
- Build troubleshooting playbooks that help volunteers triage issues consistently and safely.
- Apply simple guardrails for safety, privacy, and human sign-off in shared creative spaces.
5:10 PM - 5:20 PM PST - BREAK
(6:10 PM MST / 7:10 PM CST / 8:10 PM EST / 1:10 AM UTC)
(6:10 PM MST / 7:10 PM CST / 8:10 PM EST / 1:10 AM UTC)
5:20 PM - 6:00 PM PST
(6:20 PM MST / 7:20 PM CST / 8:20 PM EST / 1:20 AM UTC)
How I Work Like a Team of 10 With AI with Jim Ross, in an interview with Kyle Shannon
(6:20 PM MST / 7:20 PM CST / 8:20 PM EST / 1:20 AM UTC)
How I Work Like a Team of 10 With AI with Jim Ross, in an interview with Kyle Shannon
What does it look like to treat AI as a silent partner in a solo business? In this beginner-friendly session, Jim Ross shares how he uses AI as a creative tool, marketing assistant, and trusted collaborator. Hear real examples from his day-to-day work and learn how to adopt AI as a regular practice — not a one-time gimmick.
Learning Outcomes:
- See how AI can support creativity and marketing in a solo business
- Understand how to treat AI as a consistent, helpful practice
- Learn from real-life examples of using AI to do more with less
6:00 PM - 6:40 PM PST
(7 PM MST / 8 PM CST / 9 PM EST / 2 AM UTC)
Not Me, But Not Not Me: Creating Your Practice Amidst the Swirl with Liz Miller-Gershfeld
(7 PM MST / 8 PM CST / 9 PM EST / 2 AM UTC)
Not Me, But Not Not Me: Creating Your Practice Amidst the Swirl with Liz Miller-Gershfeld
This talk is for anyone tired of AI hype but unable to ignore AI's reality. You'll hear from someone actively building both a creative and professional practice with AI - not from the finish line, but from the messy middle where most of us actually live. Through real experiments (some beautiful, some absurd, all teaching something), you'll see how a 23-year advertising veteran approaches AI without abandoning standards or pretending to have all the answers. While my lens is creative, the deeper questions apply everywhere: How do you maintain excellence when everything can be generated? How do you find your own pace when the world is screaming "hurry"? No success theater, no tool worship - just honest exploration of what it means to create with integrity when everything is changing.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognition that you can maintain creative integrity while experimenting with AI - seeing a real example of someone who did it without losing themselves
- Permission to approach AI at your own pace, with your own aesthetic, and for your own reasons (not because you "should" or from fear)
- Understanding that developing and trusting your own discernment - through consistent practice and attention - is how you create work of value, not just volume
6:40 PM - 6:50 PM PST - BREAK
(7:40 PM MST / 8:40 PM CST / 9:40 PM EST / 2:40 AM UTC)
(7:40 PM MST / 8:40 PM CST / 9:40 PM EST / 2:40 AM UTC)
6:50 PM - 7:40 PM PST
(7:50 PM MST / 8:50 PM CST / 9:50 PM EST / 2:50 AM UTC)
Logan Kilpatrick, Group Product Manager at Google DeepMind
(7:50 PM MST / 8:50 PM CST / 9:50 PM EST / 2:50 AM UTC)
Logan Kilpatrick, Group Product Manager at Google DeepMind
Logan is a Group Product Manager at Google DeepMind, where he leads developer-facing products including Google AI Studio and the Gemini API. Previously, Logan led Developer Relations at OpenAI, playing a key role in scaling the OpenAI API and building one of the world’s largest AI developer ecosystems. He has also worked as a machine-learning engineer at Apple and advised NASA on software and open-source strategy. Logan is widely known for bridging cutting-edge AI research with practical tools that empower developers worldwide.
7:40 PM - 8:20 PM PST
(8:40 PM MST / 9:40 PM CST / 10:40 PM EST / 3:40 AM UTC)
Think Like Yourself: Using AI to Excavate Your Cognitive Signature with Vanessa Chang
(8:40 PM MST / 9:40 PM CST / 10:40 PM EST / 3:40 AM UTC)
Think Like Yourself: Using AI to Excavate Your Cognitive Signature with Vanessa Chang
We're drowning in information and adopting systems that worked for someone else—then blaming ourselves when they don't stick. The problem isn't discipline. It's that we've been optimizing before orienting.
This talk introduces the idea of your cognitive signature: the buried patterns of how you actually think, learn, and make sense of things. Not the productivity template you borrowed—the one underneath it. And paradoxically, AI might be one of the best tools we have for surfacing it. You'll leave with a reframe and a framework for using AI to surface your own patterns—so you can finally build a knowledge system from the inside out.
8:20 PM - 9:00 PM PST
(9:20 PM MST / 10:20 PM CST / 11:20 PM EST / 4:20 AM UTC)
2nd Day Closing Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
(9:20 PM MST / 10:20 PM CST / 11:20 PM EST / 4:20 AM UTC)
2nd Day Closing Remarks with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
Your Hosts for Two Full FREE Days for Learning and Connection
December 26 - 27, 2025
9am - 9pm PST
This free, community-oriented event offers insights on human-centered AI—mindset, use cases, discoveries, artistry, collaboration, and even a few grievances —- perfect for enthusiasts and experts at any level.
Who We Are
AI Festivus is a collaboration between She Leads AI and the AI Salon, two vibrant global communities committed to responsible AI that enriches our lives and improves our world.
She Leads AI
We Unite Accomplished Women to Advance AI for Global Prosperity
Our membership community, the She Leads AI Society, offers peer mentoring, a 24/7 platform for connecting, a resource library, and a rich network of colleagues and collaborators.
The She Leads AI Academy offers a Certified AI Educator cohort, monthly, beginner-friendly AI Foundations for Women, and skill-specific trainings, i.e. Advanced AI Writing Intensive. In February 2026, we offer our Launch Your AI Consultancy cohort (apply here).
We host the CREATE Conference, She Leads AI Forum events, and a weekly Social Saturday meet-up for women in AI.
Our newsletter, The SLAI Effect is a tremendous resource for our subscriber community. Expect inspiring highlights of women making waves in the AI space, exclusive resources from guest contributors, access to discounts on events and products, and invitations to participate in audience-building opportunities. Subscribe here.
Our membership community, the She Leads AI Society, offers peer mentoring, a 24/7 platform for connecting, a resource library, and a rich network of colleagues and collaborators.
The She Leads AI Academy offers a Certified AI Educator cohort, monthly, beginner-friendly AI Foundations for Women, and skill-specific trainings, i.e. Advanced AI Writing Intensive. In February 2026, we offer our Launch Your AI Consultancy cohort (apply here).
We host the CREATE Conference, She Leads AI Forum events, and a weekly Social Saturday meet-up for women in AI.
Our newsletter, The SLAI Effect is a tremendous resource for our subscriber community. Expect inspiring highlights of women making waves in the AI space, exclusive resources from guest contributors, access to discounts on events and products, and invitations to participate in audience-building opportunities. Subscribe here.
The AI Salon
Vision
The AI Salon is a community of AI optimists committed to mindfully exploring the power of generative AI to unlock transformative opportunities for all.
Mission
We bring together everyday people to explore, create, collaborate, and inspire each other to learn out loud and discover the possibilities and opportunities of AI. We gather novices, experts, and everyone in between, transparently sharing online and in person, because learning and creating together are the keys to our optimistic future.
Ethos
PLAY FIRST
Joyfully explore generative AI. Gain knowledge and inspiration.
Joyfully explore generative AI. Gain knowledge and inspiration.
MINDFULLY CREATE
Surprise ourselves and powerfully meet challenges. Unleash what we make.
Surprise ourselves and powerfully meet challenges. Unleash what we make.
GENEROUSLY LEAD
Lead others. Redefine what's possible. Unlock a new era of human achievement.
Start your adventure in the AI Salon.
Lead others. Redefine what's possible. Unlock a new era of human achievement.
Start your adventure in the AI Salon.
Our AI Festivus Goals
Highlight fun, empathy and generous leadership. Amplify underrepresented voices. Inspire real-world impact. HAVE FUN!
Virtual Expo Opens December 15th - mark your calendar!
To reserve your booth, contact Kate@SheLeadsAI.ai
To shop the Expo, keep an eye on your inbox for an announcement!
To shop the Expo, keep an eye on your inbox for an announcement!
AI Festivus Sponsors
This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to innovation, education, and community empowerment helps us provide a space for learning, connection, and growth.
Meet AI Festivus Co-Founder:
Anne Murphy
Anne Murphy is a recognized leader in AI strategy, policy, and education.
With 30 years in fundraising for STEM education and research, she has advised policymakers and business leaders, trained thousands of professionals in ethical AI, and built She Leads AI to ensure women are at the forefront of AI’s future.
Her driving force is the mission of She Leads AI: unite accomplished women to advance AI for global prosperity.
She lives in Corvallis, Oregon with her family and doggos. She's a very loud laugher who will tell anyone she meets that Chicago deep dish pizza is, in fact, the best pizza.
Anne Murphy
CEO, Empowered Fundraiser Consulting
Founder, She Leads AI
CEO, Empowered Fundraiser Consulting
Founder, She Leads AI
Meet AI Festivus Co-Founder:
Kyle Shannon
Kyle Shannon is a digital storytelling and marketing innovator with 30+ years of experience. He co-founded and is CEO of Storyvine, transforming video storytelling, and in the mid-1990s co-founded AGENCY.COM, shaping digital advertising.
His leadership at AGENCY.COM led to a successful NASDAQ IPO and sale to Omnicom. Recently, Kyle has focused on generative AI, founding the AI Salon and the AI Learning Lab TikTok channel.
A dynamic public speaker, Kyle shares insights on emerging technologies, reflecting his continuous pioneering spirit in the digital world.
Kyle Shannon
CEO, Storyvine
Author, Collective Intelligence in the Age of AI and AI FUTURES
CEO, Storyvine
Author, Collective Intelligence in the Age of AI and AI FUTURES