This presentation by Deepak Sachdeva, Chief Information Officer at the United States Airforce, explores the real-world challenges and opportunities of deploying AI and digital infrastructure in industrial environments. Drawing from experience in defense and manufacturing, Deepak will unpack the hype around AI, the critical role of data governance, and the strategic decisions between centralized and decentralized infrastructure. Attendees will gain insights into how to build purposeful, secure, and scalable digital ecosystems that empower frontline teams and drive operational excellence. 

• Understand how to move beyond FOMO-driven adoption and align AI initiatives with business outcomes
• Explore how data ownership, quality, and feeder systems impact the success of digital tools
• Learn how to evaluate infrastructure strategies based on operational needs, security, and scalability
• Discover how to protect industrial environments from evolving threats while enabling IT/OT convergence
• See how leading technologies bridge hardware and software to support secure, efficient operations