Leaders who don’t grasp the power and pace of AI risk becoming obsolete—overtaken by competitors who are already leveraging it to redefine entire industries.

On Tuesday, April 22, Texas Consilium hosted a powerful and thought-provoking breakfast session with Dr. Jim Webb, a distinguished leader at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and technology. Business leaders from across Texas gathered to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape—and what it means for the future of leadership and enterprise.

About Dr. Jim Webb

Dr. Webb is a Professor and Program Director at SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, where he leads the Manufacturing Systems Management program. He is a former Special Forces officer, corporate strategist, and senior executive who has held leadership roles at Price Waterhouse, Deloitte, AT&T, and The Exchange (DoD), where he managed a $6 billion pension fund and served as Chief Corporate Strategist for a $9 billion global retail operation.
 
He holds a Doctor of Management, an MBA, and multiple engineering degrees—including from West Point and MIT. He is also a certified management consultant, published author including the 5-Star rated book Innovators Who Changed the World, an international judo champion and coach, and Director of the US Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body.  Interestingly, he is also a noted literary scholar on the subject of Sherlock Holmes.

Why This Event Mattered

Dr. Webb delivered far more than a theoretical overview—he provided a clear-eyed, practical roadmap for leaders who need to understand and leverage AI to stay competitive and relevant. His session tackled five critical themes:

  • AI Foundations – A demystified look at how AI and machine learning work, specifically tailored for decision-makers.

  • Real-World Impact – Examples of how companies are already deploying AI to cut costs, improve accuracy, and drive innovation.

  • Tools & Tech – An overview of the AI platforms and technologies that are already available and surprisingly accessible.

  • Future Forecast – A look ahead at how AI could evolve over the next 5–10 years—and what that means for your industry.

📥 [Click here to download Dr. Webb’s full presentation slides]

Extending the Conversation: 360 Leadership Groups. This session also served as an introduction to our 360 Leadership Groups—exclusive peer advisory programs that bring together CEOs, executives, advisors, and subject matter experts. These groups help Texas business leaders apply insights like those shared by Dr. Webb to their own unique challenges, with the added power of outside perspective and strategic collaboration.

Let’s Help Texas Businesses Reach Their True Potential

This event was part of our broader mission at Texas Consilium: to improve the prosperity of Texas by improving the prosperity of Texas businesses.

If you’d like help applying AI to your business—or one you advise—we have access to expert resources who can support your next step.

And if you’re inspired to play a greater role in helping Texas companies grow and thrive, we’d love to hear how you envision contributing. Whether it’s as a 360 participant, advisor, connector, or champion, we welcome your involvement.

📩 Contact us today to start a conversation. Together, we can unlock the full potential of Texas business.

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