Mind & Machine, Plano: AI for Business Leaders - October 15, 2026

AI is already changing how banks prevent fraud, support employees, make decisions, and serve customers. Much of the conversation, however, focuses on efficiency. This panel will examine a more important question: Can AI help banks deliver a more responsive, personal, and trustworthy customer experience?

For consumers and businesses, banking is built on confidence, access, and human judgment. AI could help banks respond faster, personalize service, and equip employees to serve customers more effectively. It could also create new security risks, make important decisions harder to understand, and place additional barriers between customers and the people responsible for helping them.

This 35-minute conversation will bring together leaders with distinct perspectives on banking, technology, customer service, and cybersecurity risk.

Together, they will explore:

• Where AI can make the greatest difference in how banks serve customers
• What banks must change internally to deliver that value
• Where banks should preserve friction to protect customers
• Which AI-driven threats pose the greatest risk to trust
• What role AI should play in decisions that materially affect customers
• Which responsibilities should remain human-led

The discussion will focus on the banking industry as a whole rather than comparing the practices of individual institutions. The moderated conversation will be followed by audience Q&A.

— Area Executive for DFW, First Citizens Bank

Chris brings more than 20 years of commercial banking and leadership experience. He will contribute the customer and relationship-banking perspective, including how AI could help bankers deliver more responsive and valuable service to business customers.

— EVP and CTO, United Texas Bank

Joe brings extensive experience in banking technology, AI and machine learning, payments, fraud prevention, data, and operational modernization. He will address what banks must do behind the scenes to turn AI concepts into dependable customer and business outcomes.

— Vice President of Technology and Cyber Risk at a global financial institution

Atira brings experience in cybersecurity, technology risk, compliance, and enterprise governance. She will examine how banks can pursue AI-enabled service while protecting customers, managing emerging threats, and preserving trust.

— Co-Founder, Mind and Machine DFW

Tim is a go-to-market strategist who helps business leaders connect emerging technology with practical business outcomes. He will guide a collaborative conversation that brings together the customer, technology, and risk perspectives while keeping the discussion accessible and relevant.

Designed for business owners, founders, executives, banking professionals, and AI and technology practitioners, this panel will move beyond predictions and product hype. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what customer-centered AI in banking could look like, what responsible adoption requires, and where human involvement remains essential.

Panelists will share their individual professional perspectives and will not speak on behalf of their employers.

Rel8 is returning as the networking sponsor for this Mind and Machine DFW event. Attendees can use the Rel8 community space to introduce themselves, connect with other participants, share ideas, and continue the panel discussion before and after the event.

Join the community discussion and networking space on Rel8

Event code: 8ZX5DP

Please note: Joining the Rel8 community does not register you for the event or reserve your seat. Event registration must be completed separately through Eventbrite.

Want to put your brand in front of North Texas business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, marketers, consultants, and AI innovators?

Mind & Machine DFW sponsorships include:

• Live event recognition
• Dedicated sponsor spotlight
• Brand visibility across event promotions
• Direct engagement with an influential business audience
• Opportunities to support AI education and innovation in DFW

Interested in sponsoring this event or a future gathering?

📧 Contact the Mind & Machine DFW team to learn more about sponsorship opportunities at [email protected]

Event venue & nearby stays

ll Brothers Grill & Bar, 8308 Preston Road, Plano, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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