Bio:

Gene Marks CPA runs The Marks Group PC, a technology consulting firm based in Philadelphia that serves more than 600 businesses nationwide.

For the past two decades Gene has covered business technology for Forbes magazine, and has been writing almost exclusively about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on businesses since 2022. He covers the latest software, hardware, security, networking and productivity tools that are essential for businesses of all sizes by telling the stories of the companies and experts who use them. He also regularly contributes technology pieces to The Guardian and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Gene is the author of more than a half-dozen business management books, his most recent being “The AI Business Playbook — Lessons, Risks and Opportunities” and “The 2026 CRM Companion Guide.”

Gene speaks dozens of times a year nationally on technology topics at manufacturing, distribution, service, retail, construction, banking and financial services conferences, industry association meetings and corporate events where he covers how AI and other technologies specifically impacts that industry.

Gene hosts the Paychex Thrive Podcast and YouTube series which covers technology and other business management topics where he interviews leaders in technology and others who impact business. He appears regularly on CBS Radio, The Wharton Sirius/XM channel, Fox Business and CNBC.

Prior to starting The Marks Group, Gene was a senior manager at the international consulting firm KPMG.

Speaking Topics:

AI, Automation & The Future of Your Industry

For more than 20 years, Gene Marks has covered business technology for Forbes, reporting 6–8 times per month on the latest advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and enterprise software. In this fast-paced, practical session, he separates AI hype from business reality and explains what is actually impacting industries like construction, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and financial services.

Drawing from his interviews with Microsoft, Google, emerging AI firms, and real-world companies implementing these tools, Gene will outline where AI is delivering measurable ROI — and where businesses are wasting time and money.

This keynote focuses on:

• AI risks and realities
• AI agents and automation in operations
• AI in sales, CRM, estimating, forecasting and finance
• AI in in real life in your industry ✓ Workforce implications and leadership strategy
• AI governance, risk, and data management
• Where to invest in 2026–2027 for competitive advantage
• What to expect in the next 12–24 months

Attendees leave with a clear, practical technology roadmap — not theory — and a better understanding of how smart leaders are using AI to protect margins and drive growth.

ChatGPT, AI, and Beyond:  Game-Changing Technologies that will Impact Your Industry

You’ve read about ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, NVIDIA, Einstein and other AI tools that will be changing the way we work, both in the short and longer term. As a business leader you want to leverage this technology to increase both productivity and profits. So what should you know now?  Where should you be investing?

During this fast-moving, informative and entertaining presentation, Gene Marks, a Forbes technology columnist and CEO of The Marks Group, a technology consulting firm, will share his thoughts on the biggest technology and AI trends that will affect your industry in the near and long term to help you make the right investment decisions.