Futurecom has evolved. So have the discussions shaping business.

Hugo Rodrigues is a partner and shareholder at WMcCann and one of the leading figures in Brazilian advertising. Named the most admired advertising executive by clients in the Agency Scope rankings in 2018, 2020, and 2022, he was chosen by IPG to succeed Washington Olivetto in 2017. Throughout his career, he has led two agencies to the top tier of the Brazilian market, serving as former Chairman of McCann Worldgroup and former CEO of Publicis. Founder of strategy and innovation startup Aldeiah, he has earned more than 20 Cannes Lions and over 30 Effie Awards. He also serves on the boards of SBT, Lupo, UNICEF, and ECA-USP, and was the only advertising executive included in Bloomberg’s “500 Most Influential People in Latin America” list in 2022.

In his talk, “AI-Driven Economy and Human Impact: Consumer Desire, Societal Transformation, and New Generations,” he shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is redefining consumer behavior, accelerating business transformation, and reshaping the relationship between brands, technology, and new generations.

Elisa Pereira is a researcher at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI), where she investigates value creation through artificial intelligence. Co-founder of UniAngels and former Partner at 39A Ventures, she has experience in venture capital and AI implementation in organizations.

Her research at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab analyzes 51 real-world cases of artificial intelligence applications, finding that 77% of the most challenging issues in AI implementation are not technical, but related to incentives, processes, and organizational behavior.

In her talk, “Beyond AI Washing: Lessons from 51 Successful Applications,” she shares practical insights demonstrating that success in AI depends on people who understand people and processes that make sense to those who execute them.

Cesar Cielo is an Olympic champion, world champion, and world record holder in Brazilian swimming. Recognized for his track record of excellence, he has established himself as one of the greatest athletes in the history of Brazilian sports.

He has held the world record in the 50m freestyle since 2009 and in the 100m freestyle from 2009 to 2024, and has won 22 medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships. He is the Brazilian athlete with the most World Championship medals, with 19 titles, including 11 in individual events.

In his talk, “High Performance, Operational Efficiency, and Smart Execution,” Cesar Cielo shares the principles that took him to the highest level of world sport, demonstrating how discipline, focus, continuous improvement, and excellence in execution can drive consistent results in high-performance organizations and teams.

Lais Souza is a former member of the Brazilian national gymnastics team and one of the country’s leading references in resilience and overcoming challenges through sport. She began her career at the age of 4 and was called up to the national team at 12. She represented Brazil at three Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cups, undergoing 17 surgeries throughout her career and finishing fourth at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. After transitioning to aerial skiing and securing a spot at another Olympic Games, she suffered an accident that changed her life and began a new chapter defined by resilience and inspiration.

In her talk, “Innovation That Challenges the Status Quo and Creates Impact: Inclusion, Technology and Connectivity Democratization, and Resilience,” she shares lessons on adaptation, courage, and reinvention, showing how the ability to overcome challenges, challenge established paradigms, and expand access to innovation can create positive impact for people, teams, and organizations.