PHILADELPHIA, PA — The 1682 Business of Innovation Conference will bring executives and technology leaders to the Barnes Foundation on Oct. 7 for a day focused on how companies are moving artificial intelligence from experimentation into measurable business operations.
The fourth-year conference, presented by digital product consultancy O3 and AI strategy firm O3XO with Guru as presenting sponsor, will examine AI adoption, implementation and the business decisions needed to translate new tools into productivity, revenue or other operational gains.
Attendance is capped at 140, reflecting the organizers’ emphasis on senior-level participation and direct interaction among executives.
Ethan Mollick, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and co-director of its Generative AI Labs, will headline the event. His appearance comes ahead of the planned Oct. 20 release of his book “Co-Existence.”
Other speakers include executives from Guru, HubSpot, Lovable, ServiceNow, Greenhouse Software, Wawa, Rittenhouse Ventures, West Shore Home and Buffalo Construction.
The agenda is expected to focus on execution challenges, adoption barriers and the decisions companies face when attempting to scale AI initiatives beyond pilot programs.
Keith Scandone, co-founder and chief executive officer of O3 and O3XO, said the conference is intended to cut through the growing volume of AI products competing for executive attention.
“Business leaders are bombarded with new AI tools and platforms every day,” Scandone said. “1682 is built to rise above that and give people real, practical insight into how to strategize around AI, implement it, and actually see impact from it.”
Lovable will operate an interactive experience centered on “vibe coding,” allowing attendees to experiment with AI-assisted software development.
The conference will also include the 2026 Venture Awards, which offer a $5,000 prize, a one-year co-working membership at Pennovation Works and 20 hours of go-to-market consulting from O3.
Applications for the awards are due Sept. 16. Three finalists will present during the conference, with judging involving representatives from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Rittenhouse Ventures and Pennovation Works.
Previous Venture Awards winners include Strella Biotechnology, Scout Robotics and AgriGates.
Organizers said the 2025 conference reached its 140-person capacity, drawing executives from 15 industries and companies including Coca-Cola, Independence Blue Cross, Hershey, Google, Comcast and JPMorgan.
Guru co-founder and CEO Rick Nucci said the conference has also functioned as a business-development channel for sponsors seeking access to executives evaluating AI deployment.
“The conference has been a tremendous driver of new connections and clients for Guru,” Nucci said.
The Oct. 7 event will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Tickets are available at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/o31/2030171. Sponsorship information is available at https://www.1682conference.com/sponsorshiptiers.
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