May 7

Dorka Nagy-Jozsa explores a common challenge: your AI strategy looks perfect on paper. The tools are ready, and the budget is approved – so why isn’t anyone actually using them?
She introduces the concept of back-sitting, describing it as the new quiet quitting – employees who show up physically but have mentally checked out because they are afraid of becoming obsolete. They nod during AI training sessions, then return to doing things the old way.

Dorka argues that this is not a motivation problem, but a neuroscience problem – one that is significantly impacting AI return on investment (ROI).

In this session, she covers:

The FOBO Effect – why fear of becoming obsolete shuts down the brain’s learning capacity
The Back-Sitting Diagnostic – how to identify hidden resistance before it undermines implementation
The 3-Step Neurological Reset – a brain-science framework that transforms fear into curiosity, including a case study showing a 340% increase in AI tool adoption

With many time-consuming remedial tasks now being handled by AI — alongside a significant amount of email generation — the importance of strong human communication has never been greater.
As automation increases, professionals will spend more time interacting with colleagues and partners (clients and customers). Performance will shift from being measured primarily by productivity (the what) to how effectively and efficiently individuals handle face-to-face communication (the how and why).
In this talk, storytelling and communications consultant Malcolm Stewart guides attendees through practical techniques to become better listeners, clearer communicators, and more effective collaborators.
He also explores how practicing controlled creativity can strengthen communication skills and adaptability.