Beyond the Tech: AI, Adoption, and the Human Factor
As AI continues to transform industries, companies are faced with more than just technological shifts. They’re navigating profound changes in the way people work, collaborate, and adapt. While much attention is given to AI tools and their capabilities, the human side of AI adoption often remains an afterthought.
Implementing AI isn’t just about integrating new systems; it’s about guiding people through uncertainty, building trust in AI-driven workflows, and designing companies that are agile, resilient, and human-centered.
Join us for a dynamic event that shifts the spotlight to the people side of AI adoption.
We’ll explore questions like:
What are the biggest organizational challenges in adopting AI?
How do you cultivate a culture that welcomes AI as an enabler, not a threat?
What techniques and frameworks are effective in leading AI-driven change?
How do you design roles, teams, and processes to harness AI’s potential?
How do you manage different feelings surrounding AI?
What is the cost of not adopting?
The event will feature expert presentations, followed by a panel discussion where we’ll dive deeper into diverse perspectives and lessons learned from real AI adoption journeys.
Walk away with actionable insights and frameworks to help your organization navigate the human side of AI.
Speakers & Moderator
Justin Massa (Moderator)
Founder, Midwest Quality Consulting
Justin Massa is the publisher of AI for SMBs Weekly and owner of Midwest Quality Consulting, where he helps businesses innovate with emerging technologies. A former partner at IDEO and founder of the data startup Food Genius (acquired by USFoods), he has over 15 years of experience at the intersection of technology, data, and design.
Dave Falck
Vice President of Machine Learning Engineering, US Foods
Dave Falck is the Vice President of Machine Learning Engineering at US Foods, where he leads AI and ML initiatives and pioneered a generative AI application that saves users thousands of hours weekly. He previously co-founded the startup Cumulate Labs, which was acquired by Autodesk.
Cait Moran
Senior Director, AI Office Center of Excellence at Oracle
Cait Moran is a senior applied AI leader and the Senior Director in Oracle’s AI Office Center of Excellence, where she leads strategy for enterprise-scale AI initiatives. With 15 years of cross-sector experience, she bridges deep technical fluency in data science and LLMs with a human-centered vision for AI adoption.
Nicole Willis Meyerson
Senior Program Manager at CDW & Publisher of Mother Prompter
Nicole Willis Meyerson is a Senior Program Manager at CDW, where she runs B2B email marketing and implements AI use cases for the Fortune 500 tech company. She is also the publisher of Mother Prompter, a newsletter that explores how generative AI can make life easier and more connected.
Run of Show
5:30–6:00 PM Arrival & Networking
6:00–6:10 PM Welcome & Introduction and Community Partners Spotlight
6:10–6:50 PM Speaker Presentations (4 speakers x 10 min)
6:50–7:15 PM Panel Discussion: Building with AI (25 min)
7:15–7:25 PM Audience Q&A (10 min)
7:25–7:30 PM Closing Remarks & Thank You
7:30–7:45 PM Optional Networking / Mingling
About 1871
1871 is Chicago’s premier center for technology and entrepreneurship, serving as the city’s central hub for startups, innovators, and ecosystem leaders. With a mission to accelerate growth, foster collaboration, and empower founders at every stage, 1871 offers community, resources, and programs that help innovators turn their ideas into scalable businesses. From mentorship and venture connections to curated programming and access to top talent, 1871 is where Chicago’s brightest minds come together to shape the future of tech.
Thank you to all of our community partners who make this event possible.
Community Partners
AI Collective
A non-profit, grassroots community uniting 70,000+ AI pioneers—including founders, researchers, operators, and investors—in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, AI Collective empowers the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
Dominican University
Dominican University institutional mission is to educate and prepare students to be ethical leaders and socially responsible global citizens who incorporate the Dominican values of study, reflection, community and service into their lives.
Women Defining AI
Women Defining AI aims to level the playing field for women and non-binary individuals by closing the technology-gap at work, and changing who defines & leads the conversation around innovative technology, starting with generative AI.
Chicago AI Executive Circle
The Chicago AI Executive Circle (CAIEC), powered by Dominican University, is a member-led executive association focused on building community and driving AI innovation and education across the Chicagoland area. Whether you're deep in the AI space or just starting to explore its potential, the CAIEC offers a dynamic, welcoming environment for connection, community, learning, and collaboration with industry peers. At each quarterly meeting, we dive into key themes: AI Collaboration, bringing together thought leaders from Chicago and beyond on key use cases and stories of real ROI; Innovation, exploring AI’s impact across sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing; and AI for Good, using technology to tackle real-world challenges and create meaningful social impact. To learn more or get involved with the community shaping the future of AI, please reach out to [email protected].