At a recent AI conference co-hosted by the Long Island Association (LIA) and HIA-LI, XLabs CEO Radhika Dirks urged local businesses to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations to remain competitive. Dirks emphasized that AI adoption should be a strategic initiative involving leadership and cross-functional teams, not just IT departments. She highlighted AI's potential, citing her company's development of 40 cancer drugs in six months with minimal funding, compared to traditional methods. A survey presented at the conference revealed that over 80% of executives believe AI will benefit their businesses, yet many have yet to implement it. Panelists from firms like Marcum LLP and EGC Group shared insights on using AI for marketing and customer engagement, while stressing the importance of human oversight and ethical considerations