From Silicon Valley to Main Street: The AI Implementation Reality Check

Most AI implementation stories are either myths of complete success, exaggerations, or outright disasters, so what’s the reality? Implementing AI is messier, more nuanced, and far more interesting than the “magic box” narrative suggests. Across Virginia and the Carolinas, companies report growing excitement among employees eager to use AI agents, yet challenges remain in infrastructure, governance, workflows, and culture, creating uncertainty about ROI. The ArcCrest team is helping businesses harness AI effectively, turning cutting-edge technology into practical, ethical, and transformative results. 

This session will share lessons, real-world examples, and strategies for getting the most out of AI across operational verticals.

Nathan Powell is a 2x startup founder, investor, and advisor. He’s a member of the investment committee at First Launch Capital Fund in Greensboro, NC. His LinkedIn profile looks like a Swiss army knife having served in a variety of roles including product, tech, operations, and finance. He recently founded First Launch Studio, a venture studio in the Triad region of North Carolina that works with entrepreneurs and corporate partners to validate and build new companies. One of the first companies from the studio is ArcCrest which is reimagining how companies can bend the innovation cost-curve and benefit from rapid advances in leading-edge technologies.