The 2025 Emerging Technology and Generative AI Forum

As we stand at the crossroads of unprecedented technological advancement and regulatory transformation, nuanced trends, challenges, and opportunities are shaping the market. Emerging technologies, including generative AI, are impacting global policy shifts around technology adoption, fueling the development of cutting–edge tools which promise greater efficiency and growth across the market. Join us as we focus on the wider landscape of technology trends providing insight on how professional service leaders might navigate the complexities of today’s tech landscape while planning for the technical innovations of tomorrow.

Moderator

Matthew Schmitt

Sales Director

Confidencial Inc.

Panelists

Luis Perez

Director, Global Tax AI Automation

Dell Technologies

Zen Van Loan

VP of Workforce Development

Austin AI Alliance

Zach Warren

Technology & Innovation Insights Lead

Thomson Reuters Institute

Agentic AI represents a significant leap forward, empowering AI systems with the ability to make independent decisions and perform tasks using data-driven insights. Designed for adaptability and continuous learning, these systems operate autonomously within set parameters, augmenting efficiency, supporting human decision-making, and optimizing processes across various industries. While responsible deployment necessitates careful consideration of data strategy, transparency, and accountability, the potential for positive transformation within professional services is immense. Join us to explore how professional services firms can leverage Agentic AI to unlock new levels of productivity and innovation.

Moderator

Rakshak Talwar

Co-Founder

Zenus, Inc.

Panelists

Joe Kendall

Director, AI Product Management

DLA Piper

Ray Meiring

CEO

QorusDocs

Scott Turner

Co-Founder & CTO

Kizen

Consider the transformative potential of robotic systems that acquire expertise not through exhaustive trial-and-error iterations, but through sophisticated human-guided learning paradigms that leverage demonstration, intervention, and evaluative feedback. While contemporary Machine Learning has achieved unprecedented breakthroughs, these advances have predominantly relied upon vast datasets and extensive computational training periods, rendering traditional approaches inefficient for sequential decision-making tasks such as autonomous navigation in complex healthcare environments or precision manipulation in manufacturing contexts. Human-in-the-Loop Machine Learning represents a paradigm shift in this landscape, enabling robotic systems to master complex behaviors through human demonstrations, corrective interventions, and evaluative feedback mechanisms rather than through potentially hazardous exploratory learning. This presentation examines how collaborative human-machine learning is revolutionizing robotic navigation in spatially constrained environments as well as manipulation of tasks in dynamic, unstructured settings where adaptive intelligence is paramount for successful integration into human-centered environments.

Speaker

Prof. Peter Stone

Truchard Foundation Chair in Computer Science & Chief Scientist

UT Austin & Sony AI

In what might be an intriguing coincidence, recent TR data saw that a rise in 2024 law firm spend took part alongside a perceived rise in innovation by clients. A similar finding noted that on average clients will spend about 35% on innovative firms given that efficiency is a top priority. As the combined benefits of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, blockchain, and other new technologies emerge, law and tax firms have an incredible opportunity to outpace competitors by transforming their service delivery and client interactions through value creation activities driven by technology. However, to harness the full potential of these technologies, challenges of data quality, cybersecurity, talent acquisition, and client trust and confidentiality must also be considered. Join us in a session that will explore how professional services firms are approaching the potential of increased client engagement via innovative technology strategies.

Moderator

Brooke Daniels

Senior Vice President, Market Lead

Harbor

Panelists

Christopher Cyrus

Director – Westlaw, AI

Thomson Reuters

Lynne Kilgore

Associate Director, Competitive Intelligence, Data Science & Analytics

Baker Botts LLP

Isabelle Lowe

Lead AI Analyst

CB Insights

Though he may not have been talking directly about artificial intelligence, Einstein’s famous quote about technology exceeding humanity may be relevant when applied to both AI development and application. Ethical implications related to bias, fairness, and transparency in algorithmic decision-making, as well as concerns around data privacy, security, and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities are all top of mind as the technology becomes more pervasive in everyday life. Given this, how can leaders embrace the potential of AI while prioritizing ethical considerations, ultimately working towards a future where AI is used to enhance the well-being and dignity of individuals and society as a whole? Join us as we consider the importance of developing and implementing organizational guidelines and frameworks for ethical AI development and deployment.

Moderator

Doreen Lorenzo

 Assistant Dean, School of Design and Creative Technologies; Professor of Practice; Fellow of Marguerite Fairchild Centennial Professorship

University of Texas Austin

Panelists

John Dubois

Americas AI Strategy Leader

Ernst & Young LLP

Paige L. Fults

Head of School

Alpha School & 2 Hour Learning

Betsy Greytok

Associate General Counsel, Responsible Technology

IBM Corporation

‍Please join us for cocktails and canapés as we wrap up the day’s proceedings.