Opportunities and Risks for AI: 2025 and Beyond

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and the way we live, but with rapid advancement comes both promise and peril. In this session, expert speakers will share insights and case studies highlighting where AI is driving innovation and creating new opportunities, as well as the risks and challenges that accompany this fast-changing technology. From ethical considerations and workforce impacts to breakthroughs in efficiency and problem-solving, this discussion will provide a balanced look at the realities of AI in 2025 and beyond. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on how to navigate the evolving AI landscape and position themselves to harness its potential responsibly.

Dr. Andrew Kulak is a cybersecurity consultant and educator whose work bridges
technical innovation, human-centered design, and workforce development. He serves
as an Associate with Triple Point Security, a security consultancy with offices in
Blacksburg, VA specializing in cybersecurity services, cloud security, and talent
development and teaches courses in cybersecurity, data science, and design as an
adjunct professor at Virginia Tech.

In his consulting practice, Dr. Kulak leads engagements spanning government and
commercial sectors, including large-scale biomedical and genomic research initiatives
where his team supports secure cloud adoption, security engineering, and governance.
Additionally, he manages the cybersecurity internship program at Triple Point, training
undergraduate and graduate students in the New River Valley in both security
engineering and risk management, combining structured learning with applied R&D and
client work.

Dr. Kulak’s interdisciplinary approach emphasizes not only technical skill but also ethics,
communication, and emotional intelligence, preparing professionals to thrive in the
complex realities of modern cybersecurity. Through his academic, consulting, and
workforce development initiatives, he is committed to advancing regional innovation and
equipping the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

Doug Turpin is the strategic Chief Disruption Officer at Tight Technologies Inc., a specialized firm focused on network security and technology compliance. With over 20 years of experience in IT, Doug drives innovative approaches to cybersecurity, helpingorganizations navigate complex technological landscapes and secure their digital infrastructure. At Tight Technologies, Doug leads transformative strategies to challenge traditional security paradigms, develop compliance solutions, and implement advanced security protocols in areas such as SOC 2 compliance, NIST standards, cloud security, and cybersecurity risk management.

Doug’s career spans multiple industries, where he has consistently delivered innovative solutions to technology challenges. He has held pivotal roles, including Director of Information & Technology at a regional mortgage company, where he modernized the company’s IT infrastructure and led successful system migrations. His expertise also includes network security, disaster recovery, data storage, and cross-enterprise communication. Doug has a strong track record in managing large-scale systems, building vendor relationships, and leading project management efforts to drive business success.

Earlier in his career, Doug gained valuable leadership experience as a Supervisor at United Parcel Service and earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service during his time in the U.S. Army and Virginia National Guard. Doug holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Roanoke College. Recognized for his achievements, he was featured in The Wall Street Journal and named Employee of the Year at Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. Doug’s diverse expertise and forward-thinking approach make him a highly sought-after speaker and consultant in the technology and cybersecurity space.

Dayal Bhagat is the President of CMIT Solutions of Roanoke, where he leads strategic business development and IT service delivery for small to mid-sized businesses. With over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Dayal specializes in applying innovative IT and cybersecurity solutions to solve complex business challenges.

Before CMIT, Dayal held the role of Senior Vice President at Bank of America’s Global Technology and Operations division, where he led a global IT delivery team of over 10,000 professionals across the U.S., India, Mexico, Costa

Rica, and the Philippines. His leadership was pivotal in scaling global infrastructure and optimizing service operations across multiple geographies.

Dayal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Northeastern University and an MBA in Management from Strayer University. He is passionate about the transformative potential of AI in business, cybersecurity, and service delivery—and actively works to bridge enterprise-class technologies with the needs of growing organizations.