Join us for a lively panel discussion around the topic of agentic AI. This critical discussion investigates the role that design and user experience practitioners and methods can/should/do play a role in shaping these new tools. Design has always been a way to envision the future and bring into being things that didn’t exist before. Agentic AI is no different. What will the future look like? What new interfaces and ways of working will emerge? How is design shaping and driving these new ways of thinking?

Speaker will include:  Mike Kuniavsky, Zoey Zhu, Shelley Evenson, and Justin Lokitz

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Speaker Bios:

Mike Kuniavsky is a design and research leader with two+ decades of experience, Mike Kuniavsky specializes in product strategy for emerging technologies, including AI, IoT, and xR. He worked at the intersection of applied research and design as a leader at Accenture Labs, where he led a lab working at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive science, and deep learning, and Xerox PARC, where he was Head of Design. He built transformative interdisciplinary product and design teams, produced pioneering patented research, led responsible AI practices, and authored industry standards (though not at the same time). The third edition of his foundational user research textbook, "Observing the User Experience" will be published later this year by Elsevier. Kuniavsky has a new startup focused on AI-native CAD tools.

Ziyuan ‘Zoey’ Zhu is a creative technologist working at the intersection of design and emerging technology. At IDEO, a global design company committed to fostering social impact with human-centric design, she helps teams tangibly explore the future of product experience with emerging technologies, including generative AI, data visualization, and XR. Her works have been featured at SXSW, iF Design Award, SF Design Week, MIT Museum, International Design Conference(IDC), Design Museum Week, NY Climate Week, etc. Ziyuan holds a dual master's degree in design study and computer science from MIT.

Shelley Evenson is a designer who thrives on change, technology, and the positive impact it can have in people’s lives. Academic, service design pioneer, management consultant—Shelley’s made her mark at Accenture, Fjord, Facebook, Microsoft, and inspired a generation of designers at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Design. She also co-founded the Service Design Network with Birgit Mager.

Shelley has lectured at several academic institutions and contributed to various books and articles, covering topics from integrating human systems for the National Academy of Sciences to service and interaction design methods and practice. 

Now, Shelley blends all her ‘past lives’ into driving design innovation—helping companies reinvent the way they work, share ideas, think about the future, and helping cross-disciplinary teams with human |AI collaboration.

Justin Lokitz is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, investor, and innovation strategist with over 25 years of experience helping organizations—from global enterprises to early-stage startups—design and execute bold, durable growth strategies. He is the co-founder of Aitherium Partners, an AI-native strategy and consulting firm that helps mid-market companies move from experimentation to real operational impact by designing and deploying agentic systems that eliminate manual friction and unlock new leverage.

Justin is the co-author of Design a Better Business and Business Model Shifts, widely used by leaders to rethink value creation, business models, and competitive advantage in times of rapid change.He also serves as Chair of the MBA in Design Strategy program at California College of the Arts, where he mentors and teaches senior leaders how to navigate complexity at the intersection of design, technology, and business.

Justin holds an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts, a BA in Environmental Science and Geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and certifications in software development and product management from the University of California, Berkeley. Across advising, investing, and executive education, his work focuses on one thing: turning ambiguity into clear decisions, and strategy into systems that actually run.