Connect | New York // Major Panel: Smarter, faster, safer - Developing intelligent operations for the AI age

Register your interest in 2027
  • —
  • Main Stage
  • Management & Operations
  • Open Session
2. Salute_Primary_Logo_LQ_DIGITAL (1)

Speakers

Sahid Jaffa

Head of Infrastructure & Platform Architecture, GEICO

Matt Renner

Matt Renner

CTO, Salute Inc

James Repass

James Repass

SVP – Global Operations, Fleet Data Centers

Stephen Worn

CTO and Managing Director, NAM, DatacenterDynamics

Alan Abela

Regional Manager of Colocation Engineering, AWS

Laura Laltrello

Chief Operating Officer, Applied Digital

Michel Chartier

Director Data Center Canada, WSP

As AI reshapes every layer of digital infrastructure, data center operations are entering a new era of intelligence. Automation, analytics, and AI-driven monitoring are enabling faster decisions, tighter reliability, and leaner maintenance - all while power, density, and complexity continue to rise. But intelligent operations aren’t built overnight. They require new tools, new thinking, and a workforce ready to collaborate with machines as much as maintain them. This panel explores how operators are re-engineering the modern data center to be smarter, faster and safer for the AI age.

This panel will explore:

  • How AI and automation are redefining decision-making and maintenance
  • Building resilience through predictive analytics and real-time monitoring
  • Using digital twins and unified data for full-site visibility
  • Redesigning teams and skills for AI-augmented operations