About this Event
“As designers, we don’t just react to the future. We help shape it." - Will Hall
Introducing NYCxDESIGN AI Summit: FutureNow — Art of the Possible.
From architecture to product, graphic design to art and technology, this program brings together leading voices shaping the future in real time. This is not a distant forecast. It’s a live snapshot of a transformation already underway. Through a series of visionary talks and conversations, Future Now offers a sweeping look at how AI is redefining creativity, reshaping processes, and expanding what’s possible.
The morning session focuses on emerging research and academic perspectives, offering a glimpse into the ideas and experiments that will define the next wave of design.
The afternoon session turns to practice, featuring leading professionals sharing how they are actively applying AI in their work today, from concept to execution.
Through a blend of keynote presentations, panels, and fireside chats, this session is a must see.
The summit is hosted by Will Hall, Chief Transformation Officer at PreSeason
Coffee and lunch will be served, and an informal reception will conclude the programming.
In partnership with Cornell Tech. With special thanks to Adobe & Massican Wines.
Speakers
Kate Berman - Model UX Lead at Google DeepMind
Alejandro Chavetta - Executive Creative Director at Adobe
John Cerone - Partner at SHoP Architects
Behnaz Farahi, PhD - Assistant Professor at MIT Media Lab
Phil Gilbert - Former VP of Design at IBM
Jess Greco - VP, Strategy and Partnerships, Agent Suite at Mastercard
Wendy Ju, PhD - Professor at Cornell Tech
Mark Kingsley - SVA Masters of Branding
Shani Sandy - VP of Experience Design at IBM
Christopher Azar - Group Design Manager, Next Gen Video & AI, Adobe
Location
Cornell Tech's Verizon Center building
Discover the full lineup of NYCxDESIGN events at nycxdesign.org.
Agenda
?: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration & Coffee
?: 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Opening Greetings
?: 10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
Will Hall, PreSeason // Overview keynote of morning's themes
?: 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM
Mark Kingsley, SVA // Brands in the Age of AI
?: 11:10 AM - 11:40 AM
Behnaz Farahi, MIT // From Body to Building
?: 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Wendy Ju, Cornell Tech // When Machines Behave
?: 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM
Panel Discussion // Mark, Behnaz, Wendy
?: 12:40 PM - 01:10 PM
Fireside Chat // Alejandro Chavetta, Debbie Millman
?: 01:10 PM - 02:10 PM
LUNCH
?: 02:15 PM - 02:35 PM
Will Hall // Overview of afternoon's themes
?: 02:35 PM - 03:00 PM
Jess Greco, Mastercard // Commercializing AI
?: 03:00 PM - 03:25 PM
Kate Berman, Google DeepMind // Designing for Intelligence
?: 03:25 PM - 03:55 PM
SHoP // Architecture in the Age of AI
?: 03:55 PM - 04:25 PM
Shani Sandy, IBM // IBM, AI and Design
?: 04:25 PM - 04:55 PM
Panel Discussion // Jess, Shani, Samantha Warren (Sr Dir Adobe Firefly)
?: 04:55 PM - 05:25 PM
Fireside Chat // Phil Gilbert + Will Hall // Irresistable Change
?: 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Reception
Event venue & nearby stays
2 W Loop Rd, 2 West Loop Road, New York, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.