Not Another AI Talk

Jul 24, 2026 at 2:40 pm

This isn’t a talk about AI tools or techniques. It’s an exploration of leadership and the human decisions that will determine whether AI creates a future of greater meaning or simply accelerates what’s already broken.

As we redefine the relationship between humans and machines at work, we face a pivotal opportunity to address a decades-old challenge: employee engagement. With only about 30% of today’s workforce engaged, AI gives us a rare chance to redesign work with intention rather than automation alone.

This talk equips technical and leaders at all levels to see AI through a human lens and outlines actionable steps towards reshaping workplaces where technology amplifies people, not replaces them. The future of work is not being decided by Silicon Valley. While they provide capabilities, the outcomes are still ours to decide.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the difference between capability and adoption through the lens of the Hype Cycle.
• Explain how employee engagement is shaped by the design of work in an AI-enabled workplace.
• Identify leadership practices that create safety, learning, and growth during AI-driven transformational change.
• Select practical next steps to ensure AI amplifies people rather than replaces their value.

Signal vs. Noise: Optimizing Human Communication for High-Performance Teams

Jul 23, 2026 at 1:15 pm

As AI takes on more coding tasks, the real differentiator for software professionals isn’t syntax—it’s how well we communicate, collaborate, and build trust. High-performing teams don’t just ship features; they deliver outcomes by reducing friction and aligning on what matters.

In this session, you’ll hear two perspectives from Anne Ruskamp and Andrew Rush (engineering and business) on the communication habits that make teams thrive. Through real-world examples and interactive role-play, we’ll demonstrate how to cut through the noise and amplify the signal: writing messages that get responses, asking better questions, and speaking the language of business. These skills are simple to understand but rare in practice—and mastering them will make you indispensable.

Diverge, Then Converge (Workshop)

Jul 22, 2026 at 8:45 am

We’re taking on increasingly complex problems while moving faster than ever. We're often tempted to run with our first idea or the "obvious" solution. But in the long run this is a trap.

In this interactive workshop, we will explore the product lifecycle and demonstrate techniques we have used successfully over the past 15 years at Don't Panic Labs to help teams uncover new and novel solutions by diverging and converging as they ideate, test, and refine concepts.

Innovating works best when everyone has a seat at the table and this session is ideal for developers, architects, product managers, scrum masters, project managers, tech leads, and most importantly you! Get ready to think creatively, collaborate with others, and unlock solutions to the unknown.

The Framework That Stuck: Turning Military Resistance Into Systematic Innovation

Jul 23, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Military organizations are built to resist change. When lives depend on proven systems, innovation can feel like a dangerous gamble. So how do you drive transformation in an environment where "because we've always done it this way" isn't just bureaucracy, but doctrine?

I'll share the innovation framework I developed to navigate the military's most change resistant systems, focusing on the human element that makes or breaks every transformation effort. You'll learn easy to remember frameworks, identify your unlikely allies, and understand why the loudest opponents are rarely your biggest obstacle.

Through real examples, I'll show you how to leverage institutional strengths rather than fight them, build credibility with skeptics, and design change processes that work within rigid hierarchies. The framework addresses the psychology of resistance. From front-line operators who've seen "innovations" fail catastrophically, to senior leaders who still need to be shown the way.

Whether you're innovating in corporate environments, research institutions, or startups scaling rapidly, you'll walk away with ways to read resistance, build strategic coalitions, and turn organizational inertia into momentum for change.