June 19, 2025 
11:00 AM ET AI success isn’t merely about cutting-edge technologies, it’s about forging a solid data foundation, setting realistic goals, and scaling responsibly. In this session, Jepson Taylor draws on nearly two decades of machine-learning experience to reveal the pivotal role of data in fueling AI initiatives that deliver tangible value. Despite the AI race only speeding up with new technologies, the ultimate success depends on the data. Through real-world stories Jepson offers an unfiltered perspective on navigating AI’s hidden pitfalls. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, this talk will equip you with the strategies, governance insights, and best practices needed to transform raw data into a lasting competitive edge.
In this session, you will learn practical lessons to:
- “Crawl, walk, then run” when designing AI projects
- Balance early wins with the freedom to experiment (and occasionally fail)
- Have the right conversations with your CFO to track and defend AI ROI
About Jepson:
Jepson is a popular speaker in the AI space, having addressed organizations like SpaceX, Red Bull, Goldman Sachs, Aramco, Amazon, and various government agencies. His applied career spans semiconductor manufacturing, quant finance, HR analytics, deep-learning startups, and AI platform companies. After co-founding and selling Zeff.ai to DataRobot in 2020, he served as Chief AI Strategist at Dataiku. Jepson now teaches an AI MasterClass at NYU Stern and is launching VEOX Inc, an AI company focused on harnessing generative algorithms to replace human-invented optimizers and machine learning.
