Nashville AI Week 2025: Full Schedule

At Nashville AI Week, Nicole Ayers—founder and CEO of Jumpsuit, an AI-powered creative agency—will lead a compelling session titled “Mind vs. Machine: Where Does Intelligence End & Consciousness Begin?” In this talk, Ayers explores the boundaries between human awareness and artificial intelligence, challenging us to consider whether machines can truly replicate consciousness or merely mimic intelligence. Drawing from her work at the intersection of technology and creativity, she’ll unpack the philosophical and practical questions surrounding AI’s role in cognition, creativity, and the human experience.

Speakers

Nicole Ayres

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:10am - 10:30am EDT
Breakout Stage- First Floor

Featured Presentation

10:30am EDT

Featured Presentation: From Vibe Coding to Agents at the Enterprise

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:00am EDT

Breakout Stage- First Floor

At Nashville AI Week 2025, Tom Utiger, IBM’s Global Offering Leader for Customer Services AI, will present “From Vibe Coding to Agents at the Enterprise.” In this session, Utiger will explore the evolution of AI development—from the intuitive, AI-assisted programming approach known as vibe coding to the deployment of intelligent agents that are transforming enterprise operations. Drawing from his extensive experience in data and technology transformation, he will discuss how these advancements are reshaping enterprise workflows and customer engagement strategies

Speakers

Thomas Utiger

Global Strategy & Solution Lead - Agentic AI, IBM

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
Breakout Stage- First Floor

Featured Presentation

11:15am EDT

Panel on Responsible AI: Planning, Governance, Compliance

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

The City Winery Main Stage

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
The City Winery Main Stage

Panel

11:30am EDT

AI for Sales and Marketing: Turning Data into Deals and Relationships into Revenue

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT

The City Winery Stage Two

AI is making sales and marketing more efficient, helping teams find the right customers, personalize outreach, and close deals faster. From predictive analytics and automated follow-ups to AI-driven content and chatbots, businesses are using AI to work smarter and drive better results.
In this panel, industry experts will share practical ways to use AI for lead generation, sales forecasting, and campaign optimization. Whether you're in B2B or B2C, you'll learn how to use AI to improve decision-making, connect with customers, and grow your business.

Speakers

David Howerton

Co-Founder & CEO, VendoIQ

C-Suite Leader (CEO/COO/CCO) with 6+ years as the CEO of an ambulatory surgery center (SaaS) software company acquired by a Bain Capital portfolio company. Previous senior leadership roles (strategy, business development, finance) at a mid-market video content production and software... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT
The City Winery Stage Two

Startup Pitch

12:00pm EDT

AI for Developers: Navigating the Future of Coding with Smart Tools

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

Breakout Stage- First Floor

In this session, we’ll explore how AI tools can be a force-multiple to enhance developer productivity. We’ll cover practical tools like Lovely/Bolt.new for prototyping, WindSurf and Cursor for daily coding, and discuss how to integrate AI into your development process using both command-line and AI-assisted solutions. The session will also touch on common pitfalls, the skills required to effectively use these tools, and when to apply them in your daily workflows.

Sponsors

Pinnacle

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Breakout Stage- First Floor

12:00pm EDT

Turbocharge Your Team: Streamlining Data Retrieval, Analysis, and Ownership with AI

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

Breakout Stage- First Floor

Sick of spreadsheets and clunky reporting tools? This session will show how AI can completely reshape how educators and decision-makers interact with data. From instant retrieval and streamlined analysis to clear ownership, we’ll cover how to eliminate the noise and get to the insights that actually matter — fast. Discover how to reclaim valuable time to focus on what truly matters without your organization.

Speakers

Casey Reed

Florence City Schools

Luke Wiseman

Co-Founder & President, Nexus

Luke Wiseman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nexus, an AI-driven EdTech company based in Knoxville, TN. Passionate about transforming education, he leads Nexus in simplifying data analysis and decision-making for K-12 school districts. Luke combines technical expertise with a deep understanding... Read More →

Sponsors

Nexus

Nexus AI is a K-12 focused EdTech startup co-founded and led by Luke Wiseman. It provides an AI and reporting solution designed to simplify data analysis and decision-making for school districts. The platform helps administrators and educators efficiently gather, analyze, and interpret... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Breakout Stage- First Floor

12:00pm EDT

Panel on AI for Customer Experience: Leveraging Data and Communication to Strengthen Client Relationships and Drive Influence

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

The City Winery Stage Two

Leveraging Data and Communication to Strengthen Client Relationships and Drive Influence

AI is changing the way businesses connect with customers, helping them anticipate needs, personalize interactions, and improve communication at scale. But AI isn’t just about automation—it’s a tool for strategic influence. This session will show you how to use AI-driven insights to navigate complex conversations, build trust, and position yourself as a key advisor. Learn how to turn data into compelling stories that drive better decision-making and stronger client relationships. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or customer success, you’ll walk away with strategies to enhance engagement and create lasting impact.

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
The City Winery Stage Two

Panel

12:00pm EDT

Panel on AI-Powered Workforce: What Jobs Will Look Like in 2030 and Beyond

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

The City Winery Main Stage

AI isn’t just changing how we work—it’s redefining what work looks like altogether. This session will explore bold predictions for the future of jobs, industries, and workplace dynamics as AI continues to evolve. Will AI create more jobs than it replaces? What skills will be in demand? How will automation reshape career paths, leadership roles, and organizational structures? Industry experts will break down what’s next for AI-driven employment, from the rise of human-AI collaboration to the potential for a four-day workweek. Whether you’re an employer, job seeker, or policy leader, this discussion will help you prepare for the workforce of the future—before it arrives.

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
The City Winery Main Stage

Panel

12:45pm EDT

Lunch Break

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

The City Winery Main Stage

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
The City Winery Main Stage

1:30pm EDT

Hands-On AI: Transforming Business and Education with Cutting-Edge Tools

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

TBA

This interactive workshop session will provide participants with hands-on experience using various AI tools tailored for both business and educational applications. Attendees will explore innovative AI technologies, engage in practical activities, and gain insights into how AI can enhance learning and operational efficiency. Drawing from the research and resources available at the TSU SMART Innovation Technology Center, this session aims to empower participants with the skills and knowledge to integrate AI into their professional and academic endeavors.

Speakers

Marcus Horton

Academic Technology Coach, Tennessee State University Smart Center

Marcus Horton, an Academic Technology Coach at Tennessee State University's SMART Innovation Technology Center, delivers monthly sessions for students, staff, and faculty to enhance their technology skills. His expertise spans graphic design, creativity, training, and development... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
TBA

Breakout Session

1:30pm EDT

AI at Scale: Revolutionizing Business Processes Through Seamless Integration

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

The City Winery Stage Two

For COOs, CFOs and Tech Leaders, AI integration isn't merely innovation—it's essential for scaling exceptional employee and customer experiences that drive measureable impact. This session will explore how businesses can leverage AI-native platforms to streamline support operations, blending automation, human augmentation, and personalized interactions directly into existing workflows and tools. Imagine seamlessly moving from automated self-service channels to human-assisted support without friction, ensuring every customer interaction is optimized for personalization, speed, and accuracy. Join us to discover how AI can transform your workflow and enhance productivity.

Speakers

Matt Phillips

Director of AI Strategy, Asurion

Matt Phillips is the Director of AI Strategy at Asurion, the Nashville-based AI-powered tech care provider. With 15+ years in SaaS and a decade in product management, he identifies and integrates emerging AI technologies to revolutionize customer support and elevate customer experiences... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
The City Winery Stage Two

Panel

1:30pm EDT

Panel on AI Safety, Cybersecurity, and Trust: Navigating the Future of Safe AI

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

The City Winery Main Stage

As AI becomes more embedded in critical business and societal functions, ensuring its safety, security, and trustworthiness is more important than ever. This panel will bring together experts in AI ethics, cybersecurity, and risk management to discuss the evolving threats and safeguards in AI adoption. Learn how organizations can protect against AI-driven cyber threats, build transparent and accountable AI systems, and foster trust among users and stakeholders. From data privacy to adversarial AI attacks, this discussion will provide insights into the policies, frameworks, and best practices needed to keep AI both innovative and secure.

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
The City Winery Main Stage

Panel

2:15pm EDT

Bringing AI to Your Data: The Future of Smart Data Management

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

The City Winery Main Stage

AI is only as powerful as the data it can access—but moving, cleaning, and managing data is often the biggest roadblock to AI success. Instead of shifting massive datasets, the future lies in bringing AI directly to your data wherever it resides. This session will explore how businesses can integrate AI into existing data ecosystems, enabling real-time insights, smarter automation, and secure, scalable AI applications. Learn how leading organizations are optimizing data strategies, reducing infrastructure bottlenecks, and unlocking AI’s full potential—without disrupting operations.

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
The City Winery Main Stage

Panel