Overview
The Tech Series at Life Time Work Sandy Springs brings together Atlanta’s founders, executives, and technology leaders shaping the future of business.
This final session of the three-part Tech Series focuses on how artificial intelligence is transitioning from experimentation into execution — and what leaders must prepare for as AI becomes core business infrastructure in 2026 and beyond.
This event is designed for decision-makers seeking clarity around:
- real adoption
- real ROI
- real organizational impact
Not hype.Not theory.Execution.
What This Session Covers
- How AI is moving from tools into integrated business systems
- Why most organizations stall at pilot stage — and how leaders scale successfully
- The rise of agentic AI and autonomous workflows
- Data readiness, infrastructure, and cost realities
- Governance, risk, and trust at enterprise scale
- How leadership teams evolve in an AI-powered organization
Event Experience
4:00 – 5:15 PM | Arrival, Registration & Networking + Vendor Showcase
- Guest check-in and registration
- Background music
- Bar and light refreshments open
- Curated Vendor Showcase featuring select technology, AI, and community partners
- Informal networking with founders, operators, and executives
- Screens looping:
- Event branding and Tech Series visuals
- Speaker highlights and session agenda
- Sponsor recognition and partner features
PROGRAM
5:25 – 5:30 PM | Welcome & Framing
Host & MC:Ethan Cortazzo
Founder, Networked AI & Cortazzo Consulting Company
Purpose:
- Welcome attendees
- Brief Tech Series recap (Sessions 1 and 2)
- Frame the evening around one central question:
What decisions must leaders make now to be ready for AI in 2026?
5:30 – 5:40 PM | Strategic Opening Address
Kwanza Hall
Chairman, Development Authority of Fulton County
Topic:
The Infrastructure Powering AI’s Next Decade
Key Focus Areas:
- Data centers, compute density, and energy scale
- Why Georgia is attracting hyperscale AI investment
- What business leaders misunderstand about AI infrastructure
- How infrastructure decisions shape long-term AI outcomes
5:40 – 6:10 PM | Featured Panel Discussion
The Future of AI & Business in 2026
Strategy • Systems • Execution Reality
Moderator: Ethan Cortazzo
Panelists:
- Erich Starrett Founder, OrchestrateRevenueGTM Systems & Revenue AI
- Dr. Beverly Wright Executive in Residence, Georgia State UniversityEnterprise Data Science, Governance & Responsible AI
- Mark Michelson Founder, Threads Marketing Research & StrategyCustomer Insight, UX & Human Adoption
- Aylin Orial Chief Innovation Officer, Think TechmodeEnterprise AI, Platform Modernization & Agentic Systems
Discussion Themes:
- What’s real vs hype in 2026
- Why AI pilots stall
- Data readiness and workflow breakdowns
- Leadership blind spots
- What actually breaks when AI hits daily operations
(30 minutes total)
6:10 – 6:30 PM | Featured Keynote
Aby Varma
Founder & CEO, Spark Novus
Topic:
From Experimentation to Advantage: Scaling AI That Works
Focus:
- Moving beyond pilots
- AI operating models that scale
- Building AI-ready teams
- Responsible AI with measurable ROI
6:30 – 6:40 PM | Micro Keynote
Stephanie Richards
Founder & Director, SowGrow PR
Topic:
Visibility in the Age of AI Search
Focus:
- SEO → GEO evolution
- How brands surface inside LLM-powered search
- Authority, clarity, and trust signals
- One immediate action leaders should take
(8–10 minutes • one slide max)
6:40 – 7:00 PM | Builder Spotlight Session
Sree Pradhip & Ameet Shedge
Topic:
From AI Ideas to Real Execution
Focus:
- Shipping AI products in real-world environments
- UX friction and adoption failures
- Systems thinking vs feature thinking
- Lessons learned building AI in-market
7:00 – 7:30 PM | Networking Reception & Social
- Intentional networking
- Speaker engagement
- Sponsor conversations
- Community building inside Life Time Work
Who Should Attend
- Founders and entrepreneurs building AI-enabled businesses
- Executives and operators responsible for growth and efficiency
- Product, marketing, and revenue leaders
- Enterprise innovation and transformation teams
- AI practitioners focused on measurable outcomes
Why Attend
Strategic ClarityUnderstand what AI will realistically impact by 2026 and where leaders should focus next.
Real-World Insight Hear directly from practitioners deploying AI in production environments.
High-Value Networking Connect with 80–120+ founders, executives, and decision-makers.
Immersive Environment Experience one of Atlanta’s most dynamic professional communities.
Post-Event Access Professional photo and video recap plus curated community follow-up.
Key Discussion Questions
- What will AI fundamentally change in business by 2026?
- Why do most organizations struggle to scale AI adoption?
- How should leaders approach agentic and autonomous AI?
- What data and infrastructure investments matter most now?
- How can companies balance speed, governance, and trust?
- What actions should leaders take in the next 90–180 days?
Hosted by
Networked AI in partnership with Life Time Work Sandy Springs
RSVP & Registration
$20 admission per event (includes coworking access, lite bites, and networking reception).
Register now: https://net-worked.ai
Upcoming Tech Series Events
- To Be Announced – April 30, 2026
- To Be Announced – June 18, 2026
- To Be Announced – August 20, 2026
- To Be Announced – October 22, 2026
- To Be Announced – December 17, 2026