ACC STL CLE: Influence, Innovation and Ownership in an AI World with Wash U/Olin Business School

More information coming soon!

the ACC St. Louis and Washington University Olin Business School for a half day program on Friday, April 17th at the Knight Center at Washington University.

Today's corporate attorneys are frequently called upon to make critical decisions that impact many different stakeholders. These high-risk, high-opportunity decisions are often made under considerable time pressure. How much weight do we give to analytics and data versus experience, emotion and intuition?

Session #1:  Who Owns Intelligence:  AI, Data and the Redefinition of Innovation in a Fragmented World.
Speaker:  Professor Minyuan Zhao
In an era where machines learn from existing knowledge at scale, traditional distinctions between innovation and imitation are increasingly blurred. The central strategic question is no longer how to enforce intellectual property (IP) rights, but how to define the boundaries of protectable innovation itself.
This lecture examines how ownership claims over data, training corpora, algorithms, and model outputs are reshaping global IP strategy across jurisdictions that diverge sharply in doctrine and enforcement. As more firms incorporate AI into their innovation processes, businesses must rethink IP portfolio, value appropriation strategies, and the geopolitical risks associated with algorithmic sovereignty.

Session #2:  Power and Influence in Organizations.
Speaker:  Professor Alyssa Liang
Success at work rarely depends on the formal position you hold. In today’s organizations, much of the real work gets done through informal networks — the relationships that connect people across functions, levels, and boundaries. These networks form the foundation of social capital, a critical driver of career success.

This session is designed to help you build your network more intentionally. You will gain practical insight into what effective networks look like, assess the structure of your current network, and learn evidence-based strategies to strengthen your network in more effective and meaningful ways.

Date:

Friday, April 17, 2026

Schedule:

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast, Networking and CLE Check-in (Second Floor)   
8:30 - 8:45 a.m. Olin Leadership; Olin Engagement
8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome Session with Speakers:  Professor Minyuan Zhao and Professor Alyssa Liang
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.  Who Owns Intelligence?  with Professor Minyuan Zhao
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break   
10:45 - 12:00 p.m. Power and Influence with Professor Alyssa Liang
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Box Lunches served

Location:
Charles F. Knight Center at Washington University
Throop Drive and Snow Way Drive
St. Louis, MO  63130
Parking Validated in Knight Center Garage  

Please note that this is a Complimentary, Members Only Event.

No-Show or Cancellations made after 5:00 pm on Monday, April 13th will be charged a $65 fee. 

Missouri CLE Approved:  3.0 Hours