Opening Keynote – The Learning Curve: Knowing the Why Behind AI
Kerri McGovern, Senior Director, Membership at Association of Corporate Counsel
Monica Pemberton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the American Council on Education (ACE)
AI is no longer a future concept—it’s here, it’s evolving fast, and yes, it’s normal to feel uncertain. In this candid and insightful keynote, Kerri McGovern shares how ACC is approaching AI through a lens of intentional learning, transparency, and purpose-driven strategy.
Rather than pushing immediate adoption, their AI task force began with a critical question: What’s the “why” behind this technology? From addressing internal fear with open conversations to creating awareness-based training, Kerri will walk through how her team is helping staff and members alike understand AI before being expected to use it.
She’ll also share real-world wins—like leveraging the AI-powered translation tool DeepL to support global expansion—and how her team is exploring meaningful ways to equip their members with AI tools and training.
This keynote will inspire leaders to:
✅ Embrace AI as an opportunity for empowerment, not just efficiency
✅ Lead with empathy and transparency through the AI learning curve
✅ Identify the “why” before the “how” in their organization’s AI journey
✅ Start small, stay human, and focus on meaningful impact
AI doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It starts with understanding—and that’s exactly where this conversation begins.