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Travis Oliphant Meeting Agenda

Date: January 6, 2026

1. Warm-Up / Check-In (5 min)​

  • How were the holidays?
  • How's the family doing with the Utah move plans?
  • How did the fundraise go? Any updates on OpenTeams runway?

(On my end, enjoyed some time with parents and my brother and his girlfriend in Vegas - we saw an AI-augmented remaster of the original Wizard of Oz - I loved it.)

2. Contract Discussion (5 min)​

Context: I haven't signed Want to confirm alignment before signing.

  • Just wanted to make sure what I inquired about makes sense to you before I sign. Anything you'd like to adjust? I don't know if you want to open up your email to check - prob easier than me summarizing.

  • How are expenses typically handled?

    • Reimbursement process?
    • Pre-approval thresholds?
    • Covered categories (travel, materials, event costs)?

  • Corporate card?

3. First Event Budget & Sponsorship (5 min)​

Context: Jan 29 event at Antler. Need photographer, videographer, potentially registration help.

  • Does a couple thousand dollars feel reasonable for the first event?
    • Photographer
    • Videographer to record sessions
    • Any other production costs
  • How would you like OpenTeams sponsorship to come across?
    • Visible branding at event?
    • Mentioned in remarks?
    • Keep it subtle/background?
  • Is OpenTeams cool being the sponsor for early events until we have other sponsors?

4. Team Resources & Help (5 min)​

  • Who in your ecosystem could I ask for help?
    • Registration desk volunteers?
    • Anyone on the team who does photography for fun? (Could save money)
    • Anyone handy on AV?
  • Business owner for the event: Do you know anyone who's a business owner that wants help from applied AI engineers? Someone who'd be open to presenting a real problem live, getting architecture feedback, and potentially hiring someone from the community?
  • Is there anyone else I should loop in as we build out the society?

5. Your Remarks / Speech Prep (5 min)​

Context: Want to feature Travis speaking about why this community matters.

  • What would you want to say in your remarks?
  • Any key themes or messages you want to hit?
    • Your journey from open source to applied AI
    • Why democratizing AI matters
    • The mission of preventing AI feudalism
  • Would you like help drafting talking points or a script?
  • How much time do you want? (5 min? 10 min?)

This relates to...

6. Inaugural Blog Post (5 min)​

Proposal: Launch Applied AI Society Substack with a founding post.

  • Theme: "Why 2026 is the Year of Applied AI"
  • Could include a profile on you:
    • Your evolution from NumPy/open source to helping institutions and businesses with technology
    • Why you're stepping up as founding sponsor
    • Your vision for what this community can become
  • Would you be open to me interviewing you briefly for this piece?
  • Any key points you'd want emphasized?

Wrap-Up​

  • Anything else on your mind?
  • Best way to stay in sync leading up to Jan 29?
  • Next check-in date?