New Audience Choice Winners to Lead Breakouts at TechCrunch Sessions: AI

You cast your votes, and now we're thrilled to announce the two Audience Choice winners who will grace the breakout stage at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. These winners will share their groundbreaking AI insights with 1,200 AI leaders and enthusiasts.

After combing through hundreds of Call for Content submissions, we narrowed it down to six exceptional finalists. Your votes have spoken, and now these two winners are set to enlighten us with their cutting-edge AI perspectives live on stage.

Yann Stoneman, staff solutions architect at Cohere, will delve into "Behind Your Firewall: Secure Generative AI for Regulated Enterprises."

Hua Wang, executive director at Global Innovation Forum, will explore "The AI Policy Playbook: What Global Startups Need to Know."

Meet Our Winners and Their AI Insights at TC Sessions: AI

Yann Stoneman

Session: Ever wondered how to harness the power of cutting-edge generative AI in sectors like healthcare or finance without compromising data privacy? Join Yann for an engaging breakout session at TC Sessions: AI. Alongside three expert panelists, Yann will lead a dynamic, 50-minute discussion filled with real-world examples from Cohere’s North (agentic AI workspace) and Compass (multimodal retrieval). You'll walk away with practical strategies for deploying secure, customized AI models on your own infrastructure—no external cloud needed. Look forward to hands-on demos, live Q&A, and insights that will empower you to build AI solutions safely and confidently, right behind your firewall.

About Yann Stoneman: Yann Stoneman is a staff solutions architect at Cohere, where he assists enterprises in deploying secure, customizable AI powered by next-gen foundation models. Before joining Cohere, he worked at AWS, where he facilitated large-scale AI adoption and showcased an AI demo at re:Invent 2023. Yann is renowned for seamless integration and user-friendly AI design. His expertise has been highlighted at Generative AI World and Voices of Data Science, and on the blogs of Cohere and AWS. He holds a BA from the Juilliard School.

Hua Wang

Session: AI can give startups a competitive edge, but navigating regulations can be a challenge. This breakout session will explore how founders can remain compliant while scaling globally. Discover how to leverage AI tools for digital trade, navigate evolving data laws, and tap into new markets. We’ll discuss the policies shaping the future of AI startups and provide real-world strategies to help you expand without getting tangled in red tape. Whether you're building, investing in, or regulating AI, this session will equip you with the insights you need to lead confidently.

About Hua Wang: Hua leads the Global Innovation Forum (GIF), where she fosters connections between diverse entrepreneurs and the global economy. At GIF, she spearheads inclusive strategies for trade and digital policy, collaborating with business leaders, nonprofits, and international bodies like the World Trade Organization and the UN to open global opportunities for underrepresented voices.

Hua's career spans entrepreneurship, law, tech, and policy—from launching a telemedicine startup to helping startups secure over $20 million as an accelerator director. She has also served as an entrepreneur-in-residence in Chile, Malaysia, and the U.S. A former attorney and banker, Hua holds degrees from Duke and Northwestern Law, and she firmly believes in innovation as a catalyst for global growth.

Join These Live Sessions at TC Session: AI

AI is evolving rapidly, and you don't want to be left behind. Learn how to build secure AI solutions behind your firewall with Yann Stoneman and unlock global markets with Hua Wang—two of the audience-chosen breakout leaders you won't want to miss. Save up to $210 on your pass, or bring a team and save even more. Check out the agenda to see what's in store and secure your ticket before prices increase.

Want Even More Brand Visibility at TC Sessions: AI?

Don't just attend—showcase your brand and innovation to 1,200 top AI minds. Space is limited, so seize your chance to make an impact! Reserve your exhibit table here before they're all gone.

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