Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] Implementing AI: A Panel Discussion on the Steps You Need to Take Now

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Your success as an IT professional has always depended on your ability to adapt. With the rapid expansion of AI capabilities, how are you evaluating and applying these tools today? What changes have you made to drive value—and where are you encountering obstacles?

Join this peer-led panel discussion to build a practical, prioritized “to-do list” of what you need to know. Our Advisory Council will share firsthand experiences implementing AI across a range of use cases while maintaining strong security controls. Panelists will outline concrete steps for developing an effective AI policy and offer guidance on engaging stakeholders to create organizational alignment. You will also explore the critical role of data governance and security in responsible AI adoption.

The discussion will address additional considerations, including collaboration with legal and HR teams, to help you prepare for enterprise-wide implementation. Bring your questions and leave with actionable insights you can apply immediately to implement AI with confidence.

Panelists:

  • Michael Bray, Chief Information Security Officer, The Vancouver Clinic
  • Brandon Gatke, AVP, Information Technology and Security, Portland Community College
  • Steve Hankel, Vice President, Information Technology, Johanson Transportation Service
  • Jaya Srinivasan, AVP Cybersecurity, CISO, M Financial Group

[1 CPE] Driving Successful AI Adoption in 2026

  Presented by Hunter Helfgott, Data & AI Consultant & Abram Erickson, Data & AI Solutions Architect • Cerium Networks

In this session, we’ll cover the critical steps organizations can take to adopt AI successfully this year, including proven strategies, common pitfalls, and practical frameworks to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation. You’ll leave with actionable guidance to align AI initiatives with business goals, build organizational buy-in, and measure ROI in a way that lasts.

AI adoption is about making AI deliver real business outcomes without creating unnecessary risk, rework, or frustration.

What We’ll Cover

  • The state of AI adoption in 2026: key trends and challenges teams are facing
  • Lessons learned in 2025: what worked, what did not, and what to do differently this year
  • A practical framework for successful AI adoption: from strategy to execution
  • Measuring success: KPIs, governance, and how to prove value over time

[1 CPE] Shadow AI: Real Consequences, Real Benefits

  Presented by CompassMSP

Whether you have sanctioned it or not, your employees are using AI at work. While AI is great for boosting productivity and automating tasks, it also brings risks, including data leaks, deepfakes, and compliance challenges. In this session, we’ll connect the dots between compliance requirements and real-world practices, showing you how to navigate AI safely, reduce risk, and still move innovation forward. Walk away with a clear view of AI’s impact and simple actions you can take to reduce risk and protect your employees and data.

[1 CPE] Don’t Panic: A Blueprint for Securing Your Data in the Age of AI

  Presented by Palo Alto Networks

It’s a fact: AI can unintentionally expose sensitive data. From customer engagement to back-office automation, intelligent systems are being deployed at such a rate that it’s not a matter of “if my data is exposed,” but “when.” In recent conversations with practitioners, it’s clear that security has shifted from an afterthought to a board-level priority. Organizations are standing up AI governance boards, drafting usage policies, and in some cases even blocking applications altogether to prevent potential data leakage.

Effective protection against AI data leakage starts with visibility. Organizations need the ability to inspect both the prompts entering an AI system and the responses coming back, so that sensitive information can be detected and stopped in real time before it leaves the enterprise. In this session, we’ll guide you through a blueprint that can help ensure your AI applications are secure, compliant, and trustworthy.

[CANCELED] AI: How to Balance Innovation with Accountability

  Presented by Andreas Bohman, VP, Information Technology; CIO • University of Washington


This session will not take place as planned, and we appreciate your flexibility. Please enjoy one of our Advisor-led Roundtables.

AI is advancing faster than most governance models can keep up. Large organizations face a growing gap between innovation and control, between those who adopt responsibly and those who fall behind. Drawing on lessons from leading AI at the University of Washington, this session explores how to balance innovation with accountability by turning governance into infrastructure rather than oversight. Attendees will learn how to build trust, manage risk, and design systems that accelerate progress while maintaining transparency and control.

[1 CPE] AI Agents & Automation: How They’re Changing the Way We Work

  Presented by Hunter Helfgott, AI Solutions Consultant and Nate Purser, Account Executive • Cerium Networks

AI-powered agents are generating a lot of buzz. But what do they actually do?

In this session, you will see how organizations are starting to use AI-powered agents to solve business challenges and create new opportunities. We’ll cover advanced tools like custom GPTs, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI Foundry and see how they can be leveraged to drive AI innovation and streamline workflows. This session offers a deep dive into automation’s role in simplifying complex processes, enhancing customer experiences, and improving productivity.

[1 CPE] Cybersecurity: Emerging Threats & Defenses

  Presented by Jim Ambrosini, Director of Advisory Services • CompassMSP

In this session, cybersecurity expert Jim Ambrosini will cover critical topics, including the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, emerging defenses against these threats, and the role of senior management in enhancing cybersecurity. You will learn about recent high-profile breaches, the factors contributing to increased risks, and practical strategies for identifying vulnerabilities and responding to incidents effectively. This session will delve into the implications of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity, threats such as ransomware and deepfakes, and the importance of robust cybersecurity governance. Case studies will provide real-world insight into breach responses, highlighting effective measures and mistakes made while emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and proactive risk management.

[1 CPE] Latest Data Breaches, Quantum Computing, External Key Management in the Cloud

  Presented by Steven Gautier, Principal Solutions Architect • Thales

Welcome to our session on modern data threats and protection strategies. As cyber risks evolve, securing sensitive information is more critical than ever. We’ll explore how encryption and key management can help protect your most valuable assets, especially in cloud environments.

We’ll highlight the benefits of external key management, offering greater control and compliance. Additionally, we’ll touch on the growing impact of quantum computing—and why it’s vital to start preparing now.

Join us to discover the latest advancements in data security and learn how to stay ahead of emerging threats.

[1 CPE] Securing AI Without Slowing Innovation: A Blueprint for the Future of Cybersecurity

  Presented by Scarlett Menendez, Solutions Engineer • Trend Micro

AI is transforming the enterprise—bringing new opportunities for efficiency, but also introducing unprecedented risks. From prompt injection and model poisoning to shadow AI and deepfakes, the attack surface is evolving faster than most IT teams can keep up. In this session, we’ll explore Trend Micro’s Security for AI Blueprint, a step-by-step framework for protecting data, models, infrastructure, and users in an AI-driven world. You’ll also see how Trend Micro leverages AI across its own cybersecurity platform, combining decades of research with modern generative AI to deliver proactive protection. Walk away with practical strategies you can apply to safeguard your organization’s AI initiatives—without putting innovation on hold.

[1 CPE] Securing AI Without Slowing Innovation: A Blueprint for the Future of Cybersecurity

  Presented by Alex Ruff, Principal Solutions Engineer • Trend Micro

AI is transforming the enterprise—bringing new opportunities for efficiency, but also introducing unprecedented risks. From prompt injection and model poisoning to shadow AI and deepfakes, the attack surface is evolving faster than most IT teams can keep up. In this session, we’ll explore Trend Micro’s Security for AI Blueprint, a step-by-step framework for protecting data, models, infrastructure, and users in an AI-driven world. You’ll also see how Trend Micro leverages AI across its own cybersecurity platform, combining decades of research with modern generative AI to deliver proactive protection. Walk away with practical strategies you can apply to safeguard your organization’s AI initiatives—without putting innovation on hold.