3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
Recap
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Ugly Talk: Real Setbacks, Hard-Won Wins, and What Works in 2026
Photo gallery
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
About Event
By 2026, AI isn’t failing because the tech is weak. It’s failing because implementation is brutal.
Most pilots die in experimentation. Agentic workflows overpromise, wrappers buckle under API costs, and internal builds stall without the right partners or governance. Demos impress; ROI doesn’t follow.
This Ugly Talk cuts through the noise to examine real failures, hard-earned lessons, and the few pragmatic playbooks that actually scale as the hype correction sets in.
Featured speakers.
Jordan Skinner is an AI Engineer and Implementation Architect specializing in enterprise-scale agentic AI systems. At Blend, he designs and deploys multi-agent frameworks for Fortune-scale clients, translating cutting-edge AI capability into production-grade, real-world solutions. He is also the founder of Build: NextGenAI, where he develops AI-native SaaS platforms from architecture through launch. With over 8 years in enterprise technology and a foundation in decisioning systems and predictive analytics, Jordan brings a rare dual perspective — deep technical fluency paired with sharp business context. He is passionate about moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable enterprise deployment.
Chris Zachary is the Managing Director of Product AI at VML leading AI adoption for transformative business solutions that scale and deliver real ROI. Chris believes true systemic change requires a sound AI strategy, innovation, and governance. He has over 11 years of AI experience as the chief platform architect for Autonomous Vehicle(AV) programs at GM and Ford. As chief technology strategist at Microsoft, his AI clients cover motorsports, manufacturing, finance, marketing, and engineering. He is a certified AI and cloud engineer with an MS in Computer Science, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and two blockchain related AV patents.
Bob Waltenspiel is the founder the longest running and largest networking group in Michigan, IT in the D. He is also the host of the podcast with the same name. He has been running monthly events since 2007 and has hosted a weekly podcast since 2013.
Who's hosting it.
Robert Skinner is a seasoned digital transformation leader and AI advocate with decades of experience driving exponential change across industries. As a CXO-level executive and public speaker, he helps organizations harness the power of generative AI, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation to reimagine business models and accelerate growth. Through his SkinnersChoice platform, Robert shares insights on AI strategy, digital innovation, and transformative technologies that unlock competitive advantage. His thought leadership bridges strategic vision with practical execution, empowering teams to leverage AI responsibly and effectively in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.
Questions? Talk@UglyTalk.com
Location
NewLab Detroit
2050 15th St
Detroit