Moderated by Greg White, Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Sway Ventures, the panel featured Beatriz Sanz Sáiz, Global AI Leader at EY, and Edward J. Newberry, Global Managing Partner of Squire Patton Boggs.

Together, they tackled the intersection of AI, ethics, regulation, and opportunity—with rare clarity and cross-sector insight.

AI at the Center of Global Transformation

Beatriz Sanz Sáiz opened by framing AI as not just a technological shift, but an organizational one—fundamentally altering how value is created, measured, and delivered across industries. With over 23,000 professionals under her leadership, she offered a sweeping view into how major enterprises are infusing AI into core business strategy, while confronting questions of transparency, bias, and accountability.

“This is not just about automation—it’s about augmentation,” she noted. “AI has the potential to amplify human potential, but only if governed with discipline and purpose.”

Sanz Sáiz emphasized the strategic imperative of embedding ethical AI principles at scale—not as a compliance exercise, but as a long-term competitive advantage.

The Policy Tightrope: Global Technology, National Governance

Edward J. Newberry brought the regulatory dimension into sharp focus. Described by The New York Times as a “King of K Street,” Newberry provided an unflinching look at the fractured and fast-moving policy environment surrounding AI.

He detailed how different jurisdictions—from the EU’s AI Act to emerging U.S. frameworks and China’s state-driven AI policy—are creating a patchwork of compliance that global businesses must now navigate.

“We’re entering an era where AI is treated not just as innovation—but as infrastructure. That invites regulation, and rightfully so.”

Newberry stressed that the next generation of AI leadership will require not only technical fluency, but regulatory foresight, geopolitical awareness, and a willingness to shape the frameworks being written today.

Innovation with Guardrails

Greg White skillfully bridged the perspectives, asking sharp questions around tradeoffs: how do we protect individual rights without stifling innovation? How do companies maintain speed and agility while meeting cross-border compliance? And how should startups position themselves in a world where policy is becoming a core part of product strategy?

What emerged was a clear consensus: AI leadership is no longer just a function of engineering or investment. It’s an interdisciplinary challenge—and an opportunity.

The Stakes: Competitive Edge or Societal Drift

Beyond tactical insight, the conversation hinted at something deeper—a shared recognition that AI is reshaping the very architecture of enterprise and governance. And with that power comes responsibility: to design systems that are not only efficient, but equitable; not only scalable, but secure.

“This is the decade,” Sanz Sáiz concluded, “when we decide what kind of intelligence—human and artificial—will lead our future.”

This panel underscored what sets Sway Minds 2024 apart: the ability to convene global leaders across disciplines to tackle questions that matter—not just for investors and founders, but for the future of society.

As artificial intelligence moves from labs and startups into boardrooms, courtrooms, and parliaments, the challenge is clear: to lead with foresight, act with integrity, and build with both ambition and restraint.

Access Begins with an Invitation

Sway Minds is not your typical tech summit. It’s an invitation-only gathering of bold thinkers, category-defining founders, visionary investors, and cultural leaders—curated for those shaping what’s next. From private screenings and closed-door conversations to the after-hours connections that drive real momentum, Sway Minds 2025 is where access meets intention. If you're ready to be in the room where it happens—apply to join us.

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