The LebNet Mid-Atlantic community gathered on May 20 for an engaging evening exploring how AI is moving beyond theory into real-world, high-impact applications. The event brought together professionals, innovators, and community members for thoughtful discussions around building AI systems that truly deliver at scale.

Moderated by Bassel Haidar, VP AI Civil at Booz Allen Hamilton, the panel featured Dr. Nadine Alameh, Founder & CEO of LunateAI, and Dr. Hala Nelson, Professor at James Madison University and Co-Founder of MI2MR. Together, they explored the intersection of AI, geospatial intelligence, digital twins, interoperability, and real-world deployment across government, defense, infrastructure, and enterprise systems.

A particularly meaningful dimension of the discussion was the shared perspective many in the room carried, shaped by experiences of growing up during the Civil War in Lebanon and transformed into resilience, innovation, entrepreneurship, curiosity, and a strong sense of community. The conversation highlighted not only the convergence of geospatial intelligence, digital twins, and AI, but also the human stories and experiences that continue to shape leadership and innovation across industries.

A major theme throughout the evening was the importance of grounding AI in reliable data, practical implementation, and human-centered approaches rather than purely theoretical innovation. The discussion also highlighted the growing need for trusted standards, ethical frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration as AI adoption accelerates.

As Bassel Haidar shared:

“Nadine and Hala, it was an absolute honor and distinct privilege to learn and share ideas with you about the convergence of AI, geospatial, and digital twins with our LebNet DC chapter community.”

And as one attendee reflected:

“What an evening… seeing people from many different age groups leaning into the same conversation on AI, all carrying that same thread of resilience, was unforgettable.”

Many thanks to Dr. Hala Nelson and Dr. Nadine Alameh for sharing their expertise, to Bassel Haidar for moderating such an insightful discussion, and to the LebNet Mid-Atlantic team for organizing another impactful event for the community.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!