Demystifying AI-Powered Threats
realxreal Launch Party
Hosted by realxreal | Supported by Orrick, CodeSwtch Capital Ventures, and Tuta Mail | In partnership with the Park Hill Innovation Hub
Cheba Hut catering & refreshments will be provided to attendees.
Everyone's talking about what AI can do for you. Nobody's talking about what it can do to you.
realxreal is launching and we're celebrating by having the conversation the tech industry keeps avoiding.
Join realxreal founder Jonathan Bateman and Head of Growth Jennifer Maes for an evening that pulls back the curtain on AI-driven deception: how it works, who it's already hurt, and what we built to stop it.
The night culminates with the exclusive public debut of the realxreal mobile app: the first trusted contacts platform that verifies who's real through shared human memories, not algorithms.
Meet the Panelists:
Jonathan Bateman — A secure‑software developer and applied mathematician who blends technical depth with social awareness to solve complex problems. As the founder & CEO of realxreal.ai, he helps people authenticate the online identity of their digital contacts by combining cryptography, biometrics, and shared memories to outsmart deepfakes. Previously, he co‑founded OpenBWC, a DOJ‑funded open source AI‑ethics initiative.
Reginald Alston — A distinguished veteran of Marine Forces Cyber Command and U.S. Cyber Command, Reggie now serves as a Systems Administrator with the FBI. He brings rare operational perspective spanning both offensive cyber operations and federal law enforcement.
Darien Freedman — As a Sr. Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, Darien works with organizations to strengthen data security in the age of Gen AI. Building on that frontline experience, he founded Cloud First Consulting to help public-sector leaders translate Zero Trust, identity security, and responsible AI adoption into scalable, real-world execution.
Mike May — As CEO of Mountain Theory, Mike is building the mission-critical control layer for an era where AI decisions move too fast for human intervention. With a career spanning over two decades in enterprise security, Mike has protected $80B in annual payment flows and scaled security for high-growth tech pioneers.
Joseph Dhanapal — Strategic Board Advisor to private equity–backed cybersecurity SaaS companies navigating transformation, scale, and exit readiness. Former PE-backed CEO and operating executive with deep expertise in enterprise security platforms, identity, and zero-trust architectures. Proven track record of modernizing security product portfolios, rebuilding go-to-market execution, and strengthening executive teams.
Want to submit a question for the panel? Fill out the Q&A form here
What to Expect
5:30 PM – Doors Open: Networking & AI Bingo
Arrive early, grab a drink, and connect with survivors, advocates, and builders shaping the future of digital safety. Play AI Bingo: find someone who's accidentally leaked data to an LLM, received a deepfake, or can't tell a real email from a generated one. You might be surprised how many people in the room have already been targeted.
6:00 PM – How AI Threats Actually Work
Jonathan Bateman and Jennifer Maes break down current deepfake statistics and walk through live demonstrations of how AI-powered threats are built using nothing but free tools because you can't protect yourself from something you don't understand.
6:30 PM – Testimony
A firsthand account from someone targeted by an AI-powered scam. Not a hypothetical. Not a statistic. A real person, telling you what happened and why it was so hard to see coming.
6:45 PM – Expert Panel: Demystifying AI-Powered Threats
Panelist Q&A is open. Submit your questions in advance via the Q&A form or bring them on the night.
7:30 PM – 🎉 realxreal App Launch & Demo
This is what we've been building toward. Tonight, realxreal goes public.
See how realxreal verifies who's real through shared memories–instantly, privately, before any call or message connects. No AI detection. No arms race. Just the people you actually know, confirmed the way your brain already does it.
7:45 PM – Open Q&A + Closing Your questions. Real answers. Real people.
Parking is free! Head EAST on 48th Ave after crossing the intersection of 48th Ave and N Dahlia St. Turn left into the parking lot where there is an open gate for free parking. Head all the way towards the end of the parking lot. Walk in through the open shed door.
About realxreal
The internet never learned how to tell who's real. We did.
realxreal is building the next layer of trust for the internet: multi-factor authentication for people. Instead of relying on AI detection algorithms in an endless arms race, we verify who's real before every call, message, or video chat using shared memories only the real person would know.
realxreal is the trusted contacts app where every connection is verified through experiences you've lived together. Your phone can finally recognize people the same way you do.
Supporters
realxreal is supported by people who believe security should be built for everyone.
Orrick | CodeSwtch Capital Ventures | Tuta Mail | Regis Innovation Challenge | Park Hill Innovation Hub
Be part of the community building a future where you never have to ask: Is this really them?