On November 18, Melanie Suria, CEO & Founder of Memphis Computer Support, broke down AI in a way that felt less like a lecture and more like a community conversation: real, human, and rooted in the city we all love.
Melanie didn’t just explain technology.
She explained us, the role Memphis people play in shaping the future.
1. Every Tech Revolution Starts with People
Melanie kicked things off with a grounding reminder: every leap, from steam engines to electricity to broadband, was built because humans wanted life to be better.
AI is no different.
It’s not a genius or a villain. It’s what she called “a tireless apprentice.”
Great at patterns.
Fast at answering.
Not so great at understanding why things matter.
And that’s where Memphis talent steps in.
2. The Good Is Real, and Already Helping People Here
Melanie highlighted where AI is quietly making everyday life better:
Doctors are using AI as a trusted second set of eyes.
Businesses are reviewing contracts, optimizing trucking routes, and responding to customers with greater speed.
Accessibility gains: reading tools for the blind, captioning for the deaf, translation support for refugees
When guided well, Melanie said, AI becomes a community multiplier: reaching people, solving problems, and opening doors.
3. The Risks Hit Close to Home Too
Melanie didn’t sugarcoat it.
Bias in, bias out. An example case where Amazon’s hiring AI, trained on male-heavy résumés, quietly filtered out women.
Deepfakes & Misinformation are rewriting reality, from elections to global conflict.
Privacy is shrinking as every tap becomes data fuel.
AI can hallucinate; confidently rewriting facts like they’re gospel.
Her reminder was sharp:
“AI doesn’t share our values unless we teach it.”
4. When Tech Harms, Real Families Feel It
This was the moment the room got still.
Melanie walked through how AI is being weaponized:
Predators creating fake identities at scale.
AI-generated child exploitation skyrocketing.
Cybercrime has been supercharged: “all you need now is a modem and a prompt”
Kids forming emotional attachments with chatbots.
Her message to Memphis was simple and strong:
If we build it, we protect our people. No exceptions.
5. The Hard Part: Governance Hasn’t Caught Up
AI is moving fast. Policy is lagging behind.
Melanie laid out the gaps:
Black-box decisions with no explanation.
Employees quietly adopting “Shadow AI” (when AI apps are installed without company oversight).
$5M average breach costs.
Whistleblowers unprotected.
Safety testing treated as optional.
But she also brought light to the room: new ISO standards, better explainability, and stronger ethical frameworks are finally taking shape.
6. Memphis, This Is Our Moment
Melanie closed with a call built for this city:
Developers: You’re shaping the future. Ask harder questions.
Businesses: Slow down when needed. Safety is smart leadership.
Community: Stay curious, stay informed, stay in the conversation.
Her final message felt like a rallying cry:
Memphis has the talent, grit, and heart to lead responsibly: if we lead together.
Why This Mattered
Events like this remind us why Memphis is special.
We don’t wait for the future to knock.
We open the door, pull up a chair, and ask how we can build it better together.
Big gratitude to Melanie Suria for giving our tech community clarity, courage, and the kind of leadership that makes Memphis shine.
And to everyone in the room:
You are the story. You are the momentum. You are the Memphis tech scene.
Let’s keep building: boldly, responsibly, and side by side.
