Join us for our 2026 AI Summit.

AI + Opportunity: Innovation, Leadership + Human Impact
Innovation. Access. Leadership.

The Charlotte AI Summit brings together business leaders, founders, innovators, educators, and community builders for a full day of practical conversations around Artificial Intelligence, innovation, and economic growth across the Carolinas. Designed to be accessible, actionable, and community-driven, this summit helps local professionals understand how AI is shaping industries and how to lead in that future.

Event Schedule

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Executive Breakfast + Registration

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Opening Remarks

• Brett Fansler—Executive Director for Corporate Engagement, Central Piedmont Community College

9:45 AM – 10:25 AM: AI + Human Care

Women in Leadership + AI in Surgery

• Mireille Truong, MD—MedStar Health

• Sirisha “Siri” Swahari—CGI | Women Executives Circle

10:35 AM – 11:15 AM: The Future of Work Is Already Here

Jobs, Teams + Leadership in the AI Economy

• Alex Cena—LEAP

• Celestine Pressley—Gartner

• Dr. Camelia Taheri Protzel—TIAA

11:35 AM – 12:00 PM: Money, Fraud + Trust

AI in Finance, Risk + Consumer Protection

• Katherine Wong—ProdZenAI

• Rafi Menachem—Syntari AI

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch + Investor Connections

1:00 PM – 1:40 PM: Who Owns the Future?

Copyright, Privacy + AI Rights

• Michael T. Abramson—Jordan IP Law

• Lena Chun Lee—Linville Law Office

• Rachel Di Martino—Hatfield Lange Consulting

1:50 PM – 2:30 PM: Build What Matters

Neuroglove + Product Design + Innovation

• Monish Pemmasani—Neuroglove

• Torrence Reed—Battery Xchange

2:40 PM – 3:20 PM: Your Next Team Member Is AI

Agentic AI + The New Workplace

• Dr. Camelia Taheri Protzel—TIAA

• Michael Schreiber—Proactive Technology Management

3:30 PM – 3:40 PM: Collective Impact

Workforce Development + Digital Literacy

• Dr. John Chen—CAACC & AAFC

3:40 PM – 3:50 PM: State of AI

• Charles D’Andrea—AI Innovation Council

3:50 PM – 4:20 PM: Can Charlotte Lead the Southeast?

Building the Region’s AI Innovation Economy

• Hiren Deliwala—AWS

• Kaiwen Chen—LaunchWorks

• Vishal Bhalla—AnalytAIX

4:20 PM – 5:30 PM: Innovation Social Hour

Continue networking with speakers, executives, founders, sponsors, students, investors, and community leaders from across the Carolinas.

Time Zone: Eastern

Please read the Ascend Terms of Registration and Participation carefully.