Mind & Machine Plano: Can I Ask AI That? — November 2026

Mind & Machine unites DFW leaders monthly to demystify AI through practical education, use cases, and ethical discussions. Mind and Machine Presents: Can I Ask AI That? What business leaders need to know about confidentiality, contracts, and consequences Your employees may already be using AI to review documents, prepare client work, answer legal questions, or record meetings. The question for business leaders is no longer simply whether to allow AI—it is how to use it without creating unnecessary legal, contractual, confidentiality, or business risk. Join Mind and Machine DFW® for a practical, scenario-based panel discussion examining situations that small and midsize businesses are encountering today: • A founder uploads a sensitive employment dispute to an AI tool before calling an attorney. Is that conversation confidential, privileged, or potentially discoverable? • An employee allows an AI notetaker into a sensitive meeting. Who consented, where is the recording stored, and what happens when an inaccurate summary is distributed? • A growing company uses AI throughout its operations but cannot clearly explain those practices during an investment or acquisition. Could weak policies, unclear contracts, or undocumented tools affect the transaction or the company’s value? The panel will explore shadow AI, AI notetakers, confidential information, human review, vendor agreements, ownership of AI-generated work, and the practical controls SMBs can put in place without building an enterprise-scale compliance program. Meet the Panel Misty Leon — Panelist Misty is the Founder and Principal of Practical Counsel Advisors, where she helps small and midsize law firms strengthen operations and adopt AI responsibly. Her perspective is informed by more than two decades of legal experience, including serving as a law firm partner and as senior in-house counsel at Texas Instruments. Misty will address confidentiality, privilege, responsible AI governance, shadow AI, and the line between AI assistance and professional judgment. Candace Groth — Panelist Candace is a Senior Attorney at Vela Wood who advises startups and mid-sized companies on mergers and acquisitions, management equity, and executive compensation. Her work includes transactions involving technology, AI, healthcare, professional services, and consumer businesses. Candace will bring the transaction and company-value perspective, including how AI practices can affect contracts, due diligence, discoverability, investments, and acquisitions. Alexandros Siskos — Moderator Alexandros is SVP of Customer Success and Marketplace Strategy at Everseen, an AI-powered computer vision company, and a Board Member of Mind and Machine DFW®. With decades of experience in retail strategy, analytics, artificial intelligence, and business growth, he will guide the discussion toward the practical decisions leaders must make as AI moves from experimentation into everyday business operations. What You’ll Take Away Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of: • What employees and vendors may be putting into AI tools • What records AI systems and notetakers are creating and retaining • When AI-generated work requires qualified human review • What to examine in AI vendor contracts • How AI practices can affect clients, legal exposure, transactions, and company value • What business leaders can do now to establish practical safeguards This program is designed for business owners, founders, executives, professional-services leaders, and practitioners who want to use AI productively while making informed decisions about its risks. Thursday, November 19, 2026 4:30–7:00 p.m. II Brothers Grill & Bar | Plano, Texas Continue the Conversation on Rel8 Networking sponsored by Rel8 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. 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. Join the Community Chat: https://beta-rel8.relaitech.com/join/PD98PU Event code: PD98PU 🤝 Become a Sponsor 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]