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The Tech Industry Leaders Forum convened at BNP @ the cobblestone on Feb. 10 to help Buffalo Niagara Partnership members move beyond curiosity about artificial intelligence and toward real-world adoption.

More than 35 regional technology and business leaders gathered to explore:

• How organizations are using AI today
• Where challenges persist
• What it takes to move from experimentation to implementation

While organizational size, industry and resources differ from company to company, “Only the size of the problem and the company changes,” said Noah Harris of Radial Ventures.

Whether they represented startups, mid-sized organizations or global enterprises, attendees wrestled with similar questions:

• How do we use AI responsibly?
• How do we build internal skills?
• How do we ensure governance, ownership and measurable business impact?
• The tools may be evolving rapidly, but the strategic questions remain consistent.

Expert guidance

Following a Government Affairs update that grounded the conversation in policy and regional context, TechBuffalo President & CEO Jeffrey Botteron led a panel discussion with experts across global enterprise, consulting and higher education:

• Jay Goodwyn, executive director at IBM Buffalo FutureNow Consulting Center, shared how hybrid cloud, generative AI and emerging technologies are helping organizations unlock measurable value.
• Noah Harris of Radial Ventures offered a practical consulting perspective, connecting engineering execution with executive decision-making and emphasizing governance and delivery rigor.
• Dominic Sellitto, clinical associate professor of management science and systems at the University at Buffalo School of Management, explored AI’s intersection with cybersecurity, privacy, ethics, automation and workforce readiness.

Several consistent themes emerged from the discussion, reinforcing success AI adoption is as much about leadership and culture as it is about technology:

• Responsible AI adoption requires clear governance and ownership
• Internal skills development is just as important as technology investment
• Leaders benefit most when peers openly share challenges – not just successes
• Collaboration accelerates progress across the entire regional ecosystem

A collective effort

AI adoption is not a solo journey. It requires collaboration and trusted spaces where leaders can ask hard questions, compare notes and gain actionable insight.

The perspectives shared during the Tech ILF will continue to inform the BNP’s work connecting businesses and policymakers as we help shape a stronger and more competitive regional tech ecosystem.

The BNP is grateful to TechBuffalo for serving as the strategic partner for the Tech ILF. Under the leadership of Jeffrey Botteron, TechBuffalo continues to act as a regional ambassador, working to create a sustainable, inclusive and accessible technology ecosystem by strengthening Western New York’s ability to attract, retain and grow tech talent right here in Western New York.

Related reading

The Development & Construction Industry Leaders Forum kicked off the 2026 programming with a clear focus on moving beyond the diagnosis of Downtown Buffalo's challenges and toward solutions that shape the next phase of the city.

• Learn more: What’s next for Downtown Buffalo? Construction, development leaders share their perspective
• On March 5: New Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan will join members for an in-depth look at the city's budget, what changes may be coming and what it will mean for our local economy. Click here to register for Policy Perspective →

Thank you sponsors

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership extends its sincere thanks to its 2026 Industry Leaders Forum sponsors, whose support makes these conversations possible.

Title sponsor
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch

Presenting sponsors
Harris Beach Murtha
National Grid

Supporting sponsors
Catapult Executive Consulting
EnergyMark
LaBella Associates
Verizon

Next Industry Leaders Forum

Sector: Manufacturing (click here to learn more)
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: BNP @ the cobblestone