How Will the Experiences We CreateShape Society?

INFLUENCE THE FUTURE

Designing responsibly as we move from
the Technocene to the Algocene

The experiences we design today influence far more than usability. Algorithms, data, and AI-driven systems shape how people make decisions, access services, and experience the world. In this new “Algocene” era, designing responsibly is no longer optional.

Join HFI’s Annual UX Conference to explore how trust, fairness, transparency, and human-centered values can be embedded into the experiences we create. Hear from industry experts, discover practical approaches to responsible design, and gain insights into the real-world impact of digital experiences.

Whether a practitioner or a leader, this conference is your chance to step up and shape intentional, ethical, and impactful experiences.

Speakers

Speakers
Dr. Eric Schaffer

Founder, CEO,

Head of Laboratories

Human Factors International

Speakers
Dr. Apala Chavan

Global Chief of Technical Staff

Human Factors International

Speakers
Lungile Mbambo

Senior Manager,

Digital Experience Strategy

Absa Group

Speakers
Thato Kgalamono

Head, User Experience

RMB-Rand Merchant Bank

Speakers
Andrew Schall

UX Research Manager

ServiceNow

Speakers
Strat Parrott

VP, Head of Experience Design CX/UX.

First Horizon Bank

Speakers
Julissa Marcenaro

Senior Director of Product Management

Salesforce

Speakers
Marc Majers

Head of User Research

Progressive Insurance

Speakers
Michelle Schreiner

User Experience Research Leader

State Farm

Speakers
Kiran Sasikumar

Manager - Field Tools

(Product Owner, UX)

AbbVie

Event Schedule

July 24, 2026 | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM CDT

Morning

9:30 - 10:00 AM

Dr. Eric Schaffer

Easy! Meaningful! Enabled! Light and Connected!

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Dr. Apala Chavan

Can Empathy Direct Telemetry?

10:30 - 10:45 AM

BREAK

10:45 - 11:15 AM

Lungile Mbambo

Designing with Evidence: Why Human Insight Matters in an Algorithmic World

11:15 - 11:45 AM

Thato Kgalamono

Beyond Borrowed Frameworks: Building a UX Practice That Works for Africa

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Andrew Schall

Bridging the Gap: Designing the Employee Experience From Today's Reality to Tomorrow's AI-Augmented Workplace

12:15 - 1:00 PM

LUNCH

Afternoon

1:00 - 1:30 PM

Strat Parrott

Trust, Behavior, and the Systems That Shape Them

1:30 - 2:00 PM

Julissa Marcenaro

The Most Important Design Surface Is the Human-AI Handoff

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Marc Majers

Getting UX Right: A New Mindset Majers

2:30 - 2:45 PM

BREAK

2:45 - 3:15 PM

Michelle Schreiner, Ph.D

Designing Responsibly When Systems Shape Outcomes

03:15 - 03:45 PM

Kiran Sasikumar

Keeping the Human in the Loop: Empowering Agency in the Algocene UI

03:45 - 04:00 PM

Noah Schaffer

Closing comments

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