About this Event
Following up on our previous AI event in February 2026, the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota (SACC-MN) is revisiting AI at a time when the technology and its role in business are evolving faster than ever.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how organizations operate, but separating the hype from real, positive, and scalable impact has never been more important.
Join SACC-MN for an evening of expert insights and real-world perspectives exploring AI Transformation in Global and Local Business.
The event brings together global business leaders, AI practitioners, early-career professionals, and students to hear from five speakers with experience of AI strategy and implementation across Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, academia, technology, and AI startups.
Through five short keynote presentations followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q &A, attendees will explore AI from several different areas of business, including sales, intellectual property, public cloud providers, global enterprise implementation, and the current state of AI in business leadership and workforce transformation from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.
The evening will conclude with a networking reception and light refreshments, providing an opportunity to connect with speakers, peers, and industry leaders.
Moderator: Carl-Johan Torarp, Founder & CEO, LocaLoop, Inc.; Vice Chair of the Board, SACC-MN
Speaker and Panelists:
Emanuel Ekstrom- “AI in Sales”
Emanuel is a Revenue Operations leader at Deluxe Corporation, where he is helping advance the company's multi-year transformation into a digital payments and data business. Former McKinsey consultant in Europe with global experience across financial services, he specializes in applying AI, data, and sales optimization to drive business growth. His work focuses on developing and implementing strategies that increase seller productivity, strengthen client retention, and translating emerging technologies into measurable commercial outcomes
Quinton Krueger- “Intellectual Property in AI”
Quinton Krueger is an AI strategist, entrepreneur, and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience turning emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes. At 3M, he has led enterprise AI strategy for operations, developing applications across predictive reliability, quality, intelligent scheduling, safety, and generative AI. His career also includes leading a $72 million smart factory transformation at Collins Aerospace, also founding five AI ventures, and serving in senior federal roles focused on counterterrorism R&D. Quinton teaches AI strategy at Northwestern and Kellogg and has been published in Harvard Business Review.
Charlie Follen- “AI Use with Public Cloud Providers”
Charlie is a technology leader with more than 30 years of experience working with Global 2000 companies on digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives. He currently works with Amazon Web Services and previously held roles with Microsoft and Accenture. Charlie is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a master's-level diploma in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Oxford. Based in Northfield, Minnesota, he brings both a global technology perspective and strong ties to the Minnesota business community.
Jenny Larsson- “AI Implementation Challenges in Global Business”
Jenny Larsson is a 2026 Global CIO 100 honoree and Gartner-recognized keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience across financial services and insurance, including work with General Electric across 20+ countries. She specializes in moving AI from promising pilots into production within complex, highly regulated environments, transforming experiences for thousands of employees and millions of customers. Jenny was named Innovator of the Year in the Leasing Industry and serves on the Governing Body of the Gartner Global CIO Community and the advisory board for Women in Leadership in the Age of AI.
Dr. Toby J. Velte- “Leadership and Workforce Transformation in the Age of AI”
Toby is an AI and strategy leader at London Business School, where he helps senior executives understand how AI is reshaping strategy, leadership, and organizational design. He has held senior operating roles at Google, AWS, and Microsoft and brings a combination of executive leadership and hands-on technical experience to his work. Most recently, he led an AI leadership program developed by Deutsche Bank, Google, and London Business School for Deutsche Bank's top 200 leaders. Toby holds a PhD in Computational Neuroscience, has developed and patented AI technologies, and remains active in applied AI through Spike AI and other AI focused ventures.
Supporting Partners: American Swedish Institute (ASI), 3M, and Verilytix
Contact
Moderator: Carl-Johan Torarp – [email protected] – (612) 327-3303
Coordinator: Amelia Ehlers – [email protected]
Media Inquiries: Same as above
Agenda
🕑: 04:45 PM - 07:30 PM
Ai Transformation in Global and Local Business
🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:05 PM
Welcome to ASI & Opening Remarks
Host: Astrid Mozes
Info: Chair of The Board, SACC-MN
Introduction of Program, Keynote Speakers, and their Bios
Host: Carl-Johan Torarp
Info: Vice Chair of The Board of SACC-MN, Event Chair and Moderator
🕑: 05:05 PM - 05:55 PM
Keynote Speakers
Host: Emanuel Ekstrom
🕑: 05:55 PM - 06:55 PM
Panel Discussion
Host: All Keynote Speakers
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Networking & Drinks
Info: Networking and light refreshments
Event venue & nearby stays
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, United States
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