2026 AEC Conference Presentations

Explore how data and artificial intelligence are transforming food safety. This full-day workshop features expert presentations, case studies, and interactive sessions designed to provide practical insights and actionable strategies for industry and regulatory professionals. Download intro presentation  

Welcome (9:00 am – 9:10 am)

This opening session provides an overview of the workshop’s goals, learning objectives, and logistics for the day. MODERATORS

• Carrie Rigdon, Association of Food and Drug Officials
• Jennifer Pierquet, Association of Food and Drug Officials

Framing & Foundations (9:10 am – 9:50 am)

What is AI? Why is it suddenly everywhere, and what does it really mean for our work? This session frames the day with a non-technical look at AI and what’s driving adoption – and the early lessons and cautionary tales are already emerging. SPEAKER

• Richard Todd, Chief Data Officer, City of Boulder, Colorado - Download presentation

Data Culture & Data Quality (9:50 am – 10:30 am)

Effective use of data, with or without AI, requires a strong data culture and high-quality inputs. This session examines how data practices affect the credibility of information and its appropriate use. Participants will evaluate the readiness of their data environments to support rigorous, evidence-based decisions. SPEAKER

• Barbara Kowalcyk, Associate Professor, George Washington University

Case Studies (10:40 am – 11:20 am)

Real stories from the field bring AI out of the abstract and into practice. Speakers share their AI journeys – what they tried, what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known – highlighting both promise and pitfalls. SPEAKERS

• Jorge Hernandez, VP of Quality Assurance, The Wendy’s Company
• Brendan Ring, Commercial Director, Creme Global
• Cameron Garrison, Executive Director, HS GovTech - Download Presentation

Case Studies, continued (11:30 am – 12:10 pm)

SPEAKERS

• Christine Schindler, CEO & Co-Founder, PathSpot Technologies - Download Presentation
• Andrew Kennedy, Chief Traceability Officer, iFoodDS - Download Presentation
• Patrick Quade, Founder & CEO, Iwaspoinsoned.com, Dinesafe.com

From Data to Decisions: Managing Risk, Gaps, and Tradeoffs in AI‑Enabled Food Safety (1:10 pm – 1:50 pm)

This interactive discussion examines how risks, data gaps, decision points, and AI governance considerations emerge in real‑world food safety applications, emphasizing practical judgment over technical detail. Drawing on cross‑sector experience, speakers highlight where human oversight and governance matter most, setting the stage for the AI Storyboard Activity that follows. SPEAKERS

• Panel discussion with all speakers

AI Storyboard Activity (1:50 pm – 3:05 pm)

Participants work in small groups to unpack a real food safety problem or challenge and explore where AI could responsibly help – not replace – human expertise. Using a structured storyboard, tables examine the nature of the problem, data gaps, risks, decision points, and what a realistic, human-centered AI pilot might look like.  

Feedback Session (3:15 pm – 3:55 pm)

Groups share their AI Storyboards and receive focused feedback from speakers. The conversation centers on feasibility, risk, human oversight, and how ideas can be strengthened or scaled responsibly.  

Reflections, Lessons, and Next Steps (3:55 pm – 4:15 pm)

This closing discussion invites both speakers and participants to reflect on key insights from the day—what challenged assumptions, what felt transferable, and what questions remain. The session focuses on practical takeaways that participants can carry forward as they continue exploring responsible, real‑world uses of data and AI in food safety.