An event series and community exploring the evolution of Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Creativity; Uniting visionary executives, founders and creatives around the inevitable future of human and machine.
An event series and community exploring the evolution of Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Creativity; Uniting visionary executives, founders and creatives around the inevitable future of human and machine.
SUMMITS
SUMMITS
Our day-long summits bring together 200+ carefully selected leaders for an immersive experience designed to foster impactful connections, strategic dealmaking, visionary thought leadership around the future of AI, enterprise innovation, & human progress.
An interactive experience featuring main stage talks, tactical workshops and think tanks, cutting-edge product and creative demonstrations. With world-class networking opportunities and a high-energy environment, the summit assembles an exclusive group of the most influential, forward-thinking executives driving change and innovation at the frontier of technology and creativity.
Our day-long summits bring together 200+ carefully selected leaders for an immersive experience designed to foster impactful connections, strategic dealmaking, visionary thought leadership around the future of AI, enterprise innovation, & human progress.
An interactive experience featuring main stage talks, tactical workshops and think tanks, cutting-edge product and creative demonstrations. With world-class networking opportunities and a high-energy environment, the summit assembles an exclusive group of the most influential, forward-thinking executives driving change and innovation at the frontier of technology and creativity.
SALONS
Our intimate salons bring together 75 carefully selected guests for a deep dive into timely, high-impact topics shaping the future of AI and innovation. Each salon centers around a single, thoughtfully curated program segment, providing in-depth insights, facilitating strategic dealmaking, and fostering meaningful dialogue among industry pioneers. With an emphasis on rich networking and collaborative exchange, these salons create a dynamic space for top decision-makers to connect, explore new ideas, and address pressing industry challenges in an exclusive, high-energy setting.
SALONS
Our intimate salons bring together 75 carefully selected guests for a deep dive into timely, high-impact topics shaping the future of AI and innovation. Each salon centers around a single, thoughtfully curated program segment, providing in-depth insights, facilitating strategic dealmaking, and fostering meaningful dialogue among industry pioneers. With an emphasis on rich networking and collaborative exchange, these salons create a dynamic space for top decision-makers to connect, explore new ideas, and address pressing industry challenges in an exclusive, high-energy setting.
OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
DANI VAN DE SANDE
FOUNDER
Dani Van de Sande founded Artist and the Machine with the belief that technology is more than a tool—it’s a gateway to unlocking humanity’s fullest creative potential.
Dani Van de Sande founded Artist and the Machine with the belief that technology is more than a tool—it’s a gateway to unlocking humanity’s fullest creative potential.
As an artist without a traditional medium, Dani is driven by a mission to explore how AI and emerging technologies (“the machine”) can empower creative expression for everyone. Since 2013, Dani has been at the forefront of innovation, experimenting with AI, spatial computing, experiential design, blockchain, and growth marketing.
As an artist without a traditional medium, Dani is driven by a mission to explore how AI and emerging technologies (“the machine”) can empower creative expression for everyone. Since 2013, Dani has been at the forefront of innovation, experimenting with AI, spatial computing, experiential design, blockchain, and growth marketing.
After a pivotal role at Snapchat, where they helped launch revenue-driving ad platforms and the groundbreaking AR toolset Lens Studio, Dani founded ULO (Unidentified Landed Object), an innovation agency. Through ULO, Dani collaborated with global brands such as Snap Inc., Mars Inc., NARS/Shiseido, Chrome Hearts, and Outside Media, helping them embrace the future and connect with next-generation audiences.
After a pivotal role at Snapchat, where they helped launch revenue-driving ad platforms and the groundbreaking AR toolset Lens Studio, Dani founded ULO (Unidentified Landed Object), an innovation agency. Through ULO, Dani collaborated with global brands such as Snap Inc., Mars Inc., NARS/Shiseido, Chrome Hearts, and Outside Media, helping them embrace the future and connect with next-generation audiences.
In February 2024, Dani launched Artist and the Machine as an experimental event at Maison Lune in Venice. It has since evolved into the premier event series for culture-makers at the intersection of AI and the creative industries. Artist and the Machine facilitates thought leadership and meaningful deal-making, going beyond the typical Silicon Valley AI conference by placing culture, creativity, and humanity at the center.
In February 2024, Dani launched Artist and the Machine as an experimental event at Maison Lune in Venice. It has since evolved into the premier event series for culture-makers at the intersection of AI and the creative industries. Artist and the Machine facilitates thought leadership and meaningful deal-making, going beyond the typical Silicon Valley AI conference by placing culture, creativity, and humanity at the center.
MICHELLE FINZIO
ADVISOR
Michelle Finizio is a growth-driven entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor and consultant with extensive experience in scaling and exiting businesses. As the President and Co-Founder of FounderMade, she led the company’s sales and operations, overseeing live and virtual shows, market expansion, and strategic growth from inception through its successful exit to Tarsus in 2021.
Michelle Finizio is a growth-driven entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor and consultant with extensive experience in scaling and exiting businesses. As the President and Co-Founder of FounderMade, she led the company’s sales and operations, overseeing live and virtual shows, market expansion, and strategic growth from inception through its successful exit to Tarsus in 2021.
Before FounderMade, Michelle played a key role in launching XRC Labs, a leading venture capital firm and accelerator for retail technology and consumer goods disruptors, and served as Managing Director of the Clearco Founders Fund, democratizing funding for entrepreneurs across the globe.
Before FounderMade, Michelle played a key role in launching XRC Labs, a leading venture capital firm and accelerator for retail technology and consumer goods disruptors, and served as Managing Director of the Clearco Founders Fund, democratizing funding for entrepreneurs across the globe.
Today, Michelle serves as an advisor, investor, and growth partner to emerging conference media platforms, consumer brands, e-commerce platforms, and funds in the US and Europe. She is also a mentor with accelerators like ERA and a contributing writer to Entrepreneur magazine. A passionate advocate for innovation and scalability, Michelle combines creative vision with strategic execution to empower businesses to achieve transformative success. She holds an MBA from Bocconi University, renowned for its expertise in international economics.
Today, Michelle serves as an advisor, investor, and growth partner to emerging conference media platforms, consumer brands, e-commerce platforms, and funds in the US and Europe. She is also a mentor with accelerators like ERA and a contributing writer to Entrepreneur magazine. A passionate advocate for innovation and scalability, Michelle combines creative vision with strategic execution to empower businesses to achieve transformative success. She holds an MBA from Bocconi University, renowned for its expertise in international economics.
NATALIE MONBIOT
HOSTING COMMITEE & ADVISOR
Natalie Monbiot is an emerging technology strategist and pioneer in AI, virtual humans, and generative, and a founding team member and head of strategy at Hour One.
Natalie Monbiot is an emerging technology strategist and pioneer in AI, virtual humans, and generative, and a founding team member and head of strategy at Hour One.
She has been instrumental in creating the AI avatar and video category, from vision to ethics to commercialization, and has championed the concept of a "virtual human economy" where individuals profit from their digital selves.
She has been instrumental in creating the AI avatar and video category, from vision to ethics to commercialization, and has championed the concept of a "virtual human economy" where individuals profit from their digital selves.
A TEDx speaker and regular keynote presenter at major conferences, Natalie contributes to prominent publications and is recognized as a leading voice in the industry. Previously, she has also served as an advisor to Influential, led R&D at the New York Times, and served as an SVP at Public is.
A TEDx speaker and regular keynote presenter at major conferences, Natalie contributes to prominent publications and is recognized as a leading voice in the industry. Previously, she has also served as an advisor to Influential, led R&D at the New York Times, and served as an SVP at Public is.
BECCA SHAMUS
PARTNERSHIPS
PARTNERSHIPS
Rebecca Shamus is a recent computer science graduate from the University of Maryland, specializing in software development, data science, and AI-driven applications. In her current role as head of partnerships at Artist and the Machine, she focuses on building strategic relationships and enhancing collaborative efforts in the tech and creative sectors.
Rebecca Shamus is a recent computer science graduate from the University of Maryland, specializing in software development, data science, and AI-driven applications. In her current role as head of partnerships at Artist and the Machine, she focuses on building strategic relationships and enhancing collaborative efforts in the tech and creative sectors.
Rebecca's background includes developing innovative data solutions, streamlining processes, creating web applications, and creating engaging user experiences. Her experience spans various programming languages and frameworks, making her adept at tackling complex challenges in both the technology and creative industries.
Rebecca's background includes developing innovative data solutions, streamlining processes, creating web applications, and creating engaging user experiences. Her experience spans various programming languages and frameworks, making her adept at tackling complex challenges in both the technology and creative industries.
RACHEL CHANG
PRODUCER
Rachel Chang is an experienced operations leader passionate about storytelling and crafting impactful brand experiences. She specializes in streamlining processes and driving innovation to deliver immersive and engaging campaigns. She spearheads Operations and supports our Sponsors at Artist and the Machine.
With a background in digital transformation consulting at IBM and leadership roles in emerging tech startups, Rachel has a proven track record of managing large-scale activations, scaling teams, and fostering community growth. Her experience spans AI, Web3, and immersive technologies. She holds a degree in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern and is certified in Agile and Design Thinking.
DANI VAN DE SANDE
FOUNDER
Dani Van de Sande founded Artist and the Machine with the belief that technology is more than a tool—it’s a gateway to unlocking humanity’s fullest creative potential.
As an artist without a traditional medium, Dani is driven by a mission to explore how AI and emerging technologies (“the machine”) can empower creative expression for everyone. Since 2013, Dani has been at the forefront of innovation, experimenting with AI, spatial computing, experiential design, blockchain, and growth marketing.
After a pivotal role at Snapchat, where they helped launch revenue-driving ad platforms and the groundbreaking AR toolset Lens Studio, Dani founded ULO (Unidentified Landed Object), an innovation agency. Through ULO, Dani collaborated with global brands such as Snap Inc., Mars Inc., NARS/Shiseido, Chrome Hearts, and Outside Media, helping them embrace the future and connect with next-generation audiences.
In February 2024, Dani launched Artist and the Machine as an experimental event at Maison Lune in Venice. It has since evolved into the premier event series for culture-makers at the intersection of AI and the creative industries. Artist and the Machine facilitates thought leadership and meaningful deal-making, going beyond the typical Silicon Valley AI conference by placing culture, creativity, and humanity at the center.
MICHELLE FINIZIO
ADVISOR
Michelle Finizio is a growth-driven entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor and consultant with extensive experience in scaling and exiting businesses. As the President and Co-Founder of FounderMade, she led the company’s sales and operations, overseeing live and virtual shows, market expansion, and strategic growth from inception through its successful exit to Tarsus in 2021.
Before FounderMade, Michelle played a key role in launching XRC Labs, a leading venture capital firm and accelerator for retail technology and consumer goods disruptors, and served as Managing Director of the Clearco Founders Fund, democratizing funding for entrepreneurs across the globe.
Today, Michelle serves as an advisor, investor, and growth partner to emerging conference media platforms, consumer brands, e-commerce platforms, and funds in the US and Europe. She is also a mentor with accelerators like ERA and a contributing writer to Entrepreneur magazine. A passionate advocate for innovation and scalability, Michelle combines creative vision with strategic execution to empower businesses to achieve transformative success. She holds an MBA from Bocconi University, renowned for its expertise in international economics.
NATALIE MONBIOT
HOSTING COMMITTEE & ADVISOR
Natalie Monbiot is an emerging technology strategist and pioneer in AI, virtual humans, and generative, and a founding team member and head of strategy at Hour One.
She has been instrumental in creating the AI avatar and video category, from vision to ethics to commercialization, and has championed the concept of a "virtual human economy" where individuals profit from their digital selves.
A TEDx speaker and regular keynote presenter at major conferences, Natalie contributes to prominent publications and is recognized as a leading voice in the industry. Previously, she has also served as an advisor to Influential, led R&D at the New York Times, and served as an SVP at Public is.
BECCA SHAMUS
PARTNERSHIPS
Rebecca Shamus is a recent computer science graduate from the University of Maryland, specializing in software development, data science, and AI-driven applications. In her current role as head of partnerships at Artist and the Machine, she focuses on building strategic relationships and enhancing collaborative efforts in the tech and creative sectors.
Rebecca's background includes developing innovative data solutions, streamlining processes, creating web applications, and creating engaging user experiences. Her experience spans various programming languages and frameworks, making her adept at tackling complex challenges in both the technology and creative industries.
RACHEL CHANG