What does it really take to build with AI — and not just talk about it?
That was the question at the center of the 1682 Summer Series, a sold-out event hosted at Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs that gathered corporate leaders, startup founders, technologists, and investors for an honest look at where innovation is actually happening, and how AI is driving it. Hosted by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, the series was sponsored by Glean, Independence Blue Cross and Turnberry Solutions, and served as a powerful prelude to the full-day 1682 Conference at the Barnes Foundation this October.
Across three sessions, speakers pushed past surface-level trends and into the strategic, operational and behind-the-scenes examples of implementing AI at scale. Whether inside Fortune 500 companies or fast-moving startups, the message was clear:
We’re getting to the substance of what AI can actually deliver. What comes next is harder — and far more important.
Speakers brought real talk to the 1682 Summer Series
Sushma Akunuru, CIO of Independence Blue Cross, opened the day in a fireside chat with Moe Rinkunas of Rock Health. Akunuru spoke candidly about deploying AI in regulated industries, highlighting IBX’s use of generative AI to support agents, improve claims processes, and enhance customer experience. Her advice: Move fast — but with trust, intention and oversight.
In a panel on enterprise innovation, Jonathan Walsh (CSL), Kirby Forland (McKesson) and Katie Teuber (Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs) discussed building innovation programs inside large organizations. Moderated by Len Porcano, the session highlighted lessons on executive alignment, digital literacy, and what makes partnerships with startups actually work.
Closing out the morning, investors Jim Hao (Reformation Ventures) and Jonathon Beschen (Ben Franklin Technology Partners) joined moderator Sushma Rajagopalan (Rittenhouse Ventures) to unpack how AI is reshaping investment strategy. From LLM fatigue to the rise of enterprise service enablers, the panel explored where capital is flowing — and why.
Fueling Philly’s next AI breakthroughs: The 1682 Venture Awards
One of the unique components of 1682 is the Venture Awards, created to spotlight and accelerate early-stage, AI-driven startups in Philadelphia. More than just a pitch competition, the awards provide real capital, hands-on guidance, and meaningful visibility to founders solving real-world problems with emerging tech.
Winners receive:
- $5,000 cash
- 20 hours of go-to-market strategy support from O3
And the impact? Just ask Tejas Agarwal, co-founder of Sahay AI and last year’s winner. At this year’s Summer Series, Tejas returned to share an inspiring update on his journey since winning. Sahay AI has grown from a one-person operation to a fully funded team, recently closing a round of investment and launching a pilot with one of the world’s largest transport organizations.
Tejas credits the Venture Awards for giving his team the push they needed at a critical inflection point: refining the business model, preparing for investor conversations and ultimately building momentum that led to real-world traction.
What’s next for 1682: A full day of innovation at the Barnes Foundation
Building on momentum across multiple editions — 2019, 2024, and now 2025 — the 1682 Conference has evolved into what may be Philadelphia’s preeminent gathering for AI-driven innovation.
2019: Inaugural flagship event held at the Barnes Foundation. This invite-only, intimate conference drew high-level speakers from companies like Oracle, Accenture, Comcast, and CHOP, focusing on early-stage AI and innovation in enterprise settings
2024: A five-year hiatus gave way to a return at Five Below’s Center City HQ. This expanded conference dived deeper into how AI is shaping process and profits for companies. This time covering broader sectors such as healthcare, finance, sports and retail, the event saw the introduction of an AI-focused pitch competition and robust sponsor support from JP Morgan, Acquia, Pennovation and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.
2025: 1682 is now set to return on Oct. 8, 2025, at the Barnes Foundation, where we’ll explore the innovation landscape, with a focus on how AI is influencing profit and process, through behind-the-scenes demos and details. The event will feature a full day of programming spanning strategies for real-world use of AI — what works, what doesn’t and why. Confirmed speakers include senior leaders from Google, Hershey, Best Egg and SEPTA, with more to come.
This year, attendees can expect:
- Insightful keynotes, panels and hands-on AI demos
- A thoughtfully curated environment for networking, complete with meals and coffee breaks
- A private after-hours cocktail reception on the Barnes’ terrace
- Exclusive access to the foundation’s world-renowned art collection (closed to the public for the day)
The 1682 Summer Series proved there’s a real appetite in Philly for grounded, actionable conversations about innovation. The October conference promises to build on that momentum, and then some.
Early-bird tickets for the 1682 Conference at the Barnes Foundation are on sale now — secure your spot before prices go up on Aug. 9.
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