AI in Action Symposium

He brings deep expertise in aligning AI strategy with business outcomes, building data-driven cultures, and guiding leaders through the practical realities of AI adoption. He advises enterprises on how to unlock value through AI innovation, digital transformation, governance, and enterprise AI tool deployments.

Andy spent nearly 30 years at a large energy company where he served in thirteen technology leadership roles including:

• VP, Chief AI Officer
• VP, Data Analytics
• Director, Automation
• Director, Business Transformation
• Director, Enterprise Architecture
• Business Unit CIO

Andy spent his early career at Andersen Consulting (Accenture) as a technology consultant for global, multi-industry companies.

Andy has worked as an adjunct instructor at Tulane University and University of New Orleans where he taught robotic process automation courses. Andy’s online automation course has an enrollment of over three thousand students from eighty-six countries.

Besides providing consulting, Andy is active in the Louisiana startup scene, serving as an entrepreneur in residence at a startup accelerator (Idea Village) and serving on the board of a non-profit incubator (Nexus Louisiana). Andy is passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs and helping fostering innovation within the state of Louisiana. Andy also serves on an AI working group chartered by the state of Louisiana, focused on designing programs to improve AI literacy within the elementary and secondary educational systems.

Andy holds a BS in computer science from LSU and an MBA from Tulane University. 

Based in New Orleans, he designs high-impact experiences, facilitates workshops, and manages partnerships. Sean’s work focuses on translating complex entrepreneurial processes into accessible, actionable learning for founders. He is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans’ MBA program and is committed to building a vibrant, equitable Gulf Coast entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He achieves this by providing Amazon's internal builders with responsible AI and privacy tooling that allows them a means of self-service for risk reduction, model evaluation, and compliance. Dakota is passionate about democratizing responsible AI practices, believing that the best way to scale ethical AI development is to empower builders with intuitive tools that make doing the right thing clear and simple. During his tenure at Amazon, he’s led large privacy and AI compliance review teams as a manager, stood-up Amazon’s responsible AI governance body for employment related use cases, and built AI-enabled tooling to expedite compliance reviews for internal applications.

Prior to his work in AI governance, Dakota built a strong foundation in risk management and compliance. After completing his MBA from LSU in 2016, he moved to Denver, CO where he was as a Senior Internal Auditor for Charles Schwab. He later joined EisnerAmper (formerly P&N) as a Consulting Manager in Baton Rouge, where he delivered client service in the areas of cyber security risk, privacy compliance, and data governance strategy. His background in financial services audit and consulting informs his practical approach to implementing responsible AI frameworks that balance innovation with accountability.

He holds the designation of Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) as well as multiple privacy certifications (CIPP/US, CIPM, FIP) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Dakota currently resides on the Northshore with his family and enjoys training and breeding British Labrador Retrievers as hunting dogs.

Rudy is an early pioneer AI in the legal industry. In his current role as Global Head of Harbor Labs, he leads a team of machine learning engineers, data scientists, designers and full stack engineers in developing cutting edge solutions for the most innovative companies in the world. Two of this companies have been named to the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in America. Rudy speaks regularly at national technology conferences, has been interviewed on CNN, ABC, The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets on technology issues, is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker and has advised or invested in a number of tech-related companies in the legal space.

Rudy has taught or co-taught classes at The Rady School of Business at UCSD, The Marshall School of Business at USC, The Anderson School of Management at UCLA, The University of Colorado School of Law and the Haslam School at the University of Tennessee. His teaching focus is venture finance, leadership, law & technology and startups. Rudy is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and the University of Connecticut School of Law and holds a BS in computer science and mathematics.

In recent years, Barone has led Melara’s strategic adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, integrating AI into workflows, audience analytics, marketing strategy, content development, and business intelligence systems. Under his leadership, Melara has embedded AI applications into Leadership Academy curricula—equipping executives, HR leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with practical tools for data-driven decision-making, automation, ethical deployment, and organizational transformation. He is currently helping shape the company’s proposed AI Academy, designed to prepare Louisiana’s workforce and business community for rapid technological change.

Barone has managed major client engagements, including statewide innovation and energy initiatives with LSU and corporate leadership programs for global companies such as Shell. His responsibilities span strategy, finance, sales, technology implementation, research design, workforce development, and organizational change.

Before joining Melara, Barone served for 25 years as President and CEO of Xenetech Global, an international manufacturer of laser engraving systems integrating software, electronics, and mechanical engineering. He also held senior communications roles with The Dow Chemical Company, leading crisis communications, community engagement, and data-driven media strategies—experience that continues to inform his work at the intersection of technology, reputation management, and leadership.

A graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in Finance and additional accounting studies, Barone has remained deeply engaged in civic leadership, strategic planning, and nonprofit governance across Louisiana.

Barone’s biggest accomplishment is being the father of five who are also all graduates of LSU.

At LSU’s AI conference, he brings a practitioner’s perspective on how organizations can responsibly deploy artificial intelligence, align technology with strategy, and prepare leaders to thrive in an increasingly data-powered economy.