Columbus AI Week: Full Schedule

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9:30am EDT

Registration Opens

Tuesday September 17, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

Featured Speakers: Exploring AI Readiness

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Welcome to Columbus AI Week! Stage 2 featured and keynote speakers will kick-off the day with a focus on AI Readiness!

Speakers

Zack Huhn

Enterprise Technology Association

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers, Stage 2

10:00am EDT

Featured Speakers: Prioritizing Responsible AI

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Welcome to Columbus AI Week! Stage 1 featured and keynote speakers will kick-off the day with a focus on Responsible AI!

Speakers

Summer Crenshaw

CEO and Co-Founder, Enterprise Technology Association

Doug McCollough

The Beta District

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers

10:10am EDT

Keynote Speaker, Paul Baier: "Own Your Intelligence"

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:10am - 10:40am EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Welcome to Columbus AI Week! Stage 2 featured and keynote speakers will kick-off the day with a focus on AI Readiness!

Speakers

Paul Baier

CEO, GAI Insights

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:10am - 10:40am EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers, Stage 2

10:10am EDT

Keynote Speaker, Payal Thakur: "Building A Trustworthy Future"

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:10am - 10:40am EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

"Building A Trustworthy Future: Integrating Responsible AI, Governance, Efficiency, and Sustainability"

Speakers

Payal Thakur

Senior Director of Enterprise Analytics, JobsOhio

Payal Thakur is a seasoned strategic executive with over 20 years of diverse experience in Business Intelligence (BI), data analytics, finance and artificial intelligence. Payal has numerous certifications in data analytics and management. She has her MBA, MCA, COFP, and studied Organizational... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:10am - 10:40am EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers

10:40am EDT

Fireside Chat: Building The Future, Together

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:40am - 10:55am EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Welcome to Columbus AI Week! Stage 1 featured and keynote speakers will kick-off the day with a focus on Responsible AI!

Speakers

Summer Crenshaw

CEO and Co-Founder, Enterprise Technology Association

Payal Thakur

Senior Director of Enterprise Analytics, JobsOhio

Doug McCollough

The Beta District

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:40am - 10:55am EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers

10:40am EDT

Fireside Chat: AI Search and the SEO Bloodbath

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:40am - 11:00am EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Welcome to Columbus AI Week! Stage 2 featured and keynote speakers will kick-off the day with a focus on AI Readiness!

Speakers

Pete Blackshaw

CEO, BrandRank.ai

Paul Baier

CEO, GAI Insights

Tuesday September 17, 2024 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Speakers, Stage 2

11:00am EDT

The Impact of AI on Student Learning and Development

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EDT

THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into educational systems, its influence on student learning and development is multifaceted. AI has transferred the educational experience of students. AI-driven tools and technologies are reshaping traditional learning methods, enhancing personalized education, and addressing diverse student needs. While AI has countless benefits, concerns such as data privacy, plagiarism, and the growing reliance of students on AI tools, may undermine independent learning skills. This presentation will explore the dual-edged nature of AI in education. Through case studies, research, and insights from educators, students, and parents participants will gain further understanding of how AI is reshaping the educational landscape.

Speakers

Aanvi Dogra

Code Sensei, Code Ninjas

Passionate about the evolving world of cybersecurity, I'm a rising junior in highschool taking college-level classes related to cybersecurity. Eager to explore and contribute to the realm of digital defense, I combine academic pursuits with hands-on experience to develop a comprehensive... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Breakout Session, Stage 3

11:15am EDT

Panel on AI Readiness and Transition Strategies

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

This session will explore strategies to assess AI readiness and transition organizations into AI-driven operations, focusing on best practices, challenges, and successful case studies.

Speakers

Kimberly Clavin

Head of Product and Engineering, Principal Advisor, Executive Consultant, Cyber Pop-up / NotBoxed Creations

Kimberly Clavin is a dynamic leader in product management, strategy, and engineering, with a proven track record of driving innovation across digital, physical, and connected technologies. She has led the development and successful market launches of several impactful products, leveraging... Read More →

Justin Grieshop

Sr. Director of AI & Analytics, CBTS

With two decades of experience delivering analytic solutions to enterprises across various industries, Justin Grieshop is a seasoned analytic executive renowned for his innovation, servant leadership, and strategic outcomes. A Harvard graduate, Justin excels in building data-driven... Read More →

Pinak Barve

Vice President of Engineering, McGraw Hill

Pinak is a software engineering leader with extensive experience in Software Delivery, Architecture, Generative AI and Operations. In his current role, he is responsible for customer facing enterprise apps and platforms across all of McGraw Hill's business units. This includes GenAI... Read More →

Natasha Pongonis

CEO & Co-Founder, Envisify

Natasha is a 3x founder and is currently the CEO of Envisify Global Intelligence, a leading cloud-based cultural intelligence AI platform aimed at empowering organizations with actionable and unbiased consumer behavior insights and cultural intelligence.

Arun Kumar Moolchandani

Senior Director / Lead Data Engineer, Travelers Insurance

Arun is a senior technology executive, widely recognized as a most innovative and strategic thinker with experience in creating and developing global Data organizations. He is expert in not only understanding the business challenges but also going deep in technology solutions to drive... Read More →

Sponsors

CBTS

CBTS serves enterprise and midmarket clients in all industries across the United States and Canada. CBTS (#43 CRN Elite150) combines deep technical expertise with a full suite of flexible technology solutions –including Application Modernization, Managed Hybrid Cloud, Cyber Security... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 2

11:15am EDT

Panel on Responsible AI Safety, Security, and Privacy

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

This panel dives into ensuring the safety, security, and privacy of AI systems, crucial for building trust and maintaining regulatory compliance in AI applications.

Speakers

Mel McGee

Founder and CEO, We Can Code It

Rosie Levy

Chief Customer Officer, Pieces.app

Pretty obsessed with AI-enabled developer tools and the people who use them. 6 months into the startup world and digging deep.

Joseph Ours

Partner, AI Solutions, Centric Consulting

Joe leads Centric Consulting’s AI Solutions Group. He helps clients implement and integrate AI solutions following Responsible AI Practices in ways that drive meaningful business value. His approach focuses on achieving value at speed and scale with modern tools and approaches.Joe... Read More →

John Cavanaugh

Executive Director, Plunk Foundation

John’s role is to provide executive leadership and work directly and collaboratively with the Board of Directors to establish the vision and direction of the Plunk Foundation. John has spent the last 10 years helping college students, veterans, and professionals connect through... Read More →

Ryan Hamrick

Manager - Security Consulting & Professional Services, CBTS

Ryan Hamrick, a seasoned security expert with over 17 years in the field and a broader IT background of 20+ years, currently leads advanced security consulting at CBTS. He excels in crafting security policies, thorough security reviews, web app assessments, penetration tests, and... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 1

11:30am EDT

AI Readiness with Aparavi: Garbage In, Garbage Out

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT

THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Discover how Aparavi simplifies the complex process of preparing and managing data for AI use cases, including chatbot permissions and advanced AI models. In this session, we will showcase how Aparavi’s platform enhances data accessibility through permissions management, ensuring the right data is available to the right users at the right time. We’ll also dive into how Aparavi optimizes data preparation workflows, making it easier to curate, cleanse, and structure data for feeding AI and chatbot models. Learn how our platform bridges the gap between raw data and actionable AI insights, offering secure, scalable solutions to support your AI-driven projects.

Speakers

Hendrik Krack

Sponsors

Aparavi

Aparavi offers comprehensive solutions across AI, legal, and IT data management to help businesses streamline data processes and achieve successful outcomes. In AI projects, clean and accurate data is essential. Aparavi provides prebuilt classifications to identify and remove sensitive... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT
THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Breakout Session, Stage 3

12:00pm EDT

Panel on Cybersecurity in the Age of AI and Automation

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Discussing the dual impact of AI on cybersecurity, this session will cover how AI enhances cybersecurity defenses and introduces new vulnerabilities.

Speakers

Jon Salisbury

CEO, Nexigen

Sabrina Donley

Practice Leader, Secure AI, CybrCastle

Right-sizing AI solutions for the mid-market: Sabrina assists in crafting tailored and responsible AI solutions for mid-market clients. She facilitates rapid ROI through education, use case development, and secure AI implementations. Through listening well, Sabrina helps to pinpoint... Read More →

Keith Chapman

Cyber Defense Manager, US Bank

Cybersecurity leader and Deputy Response Leader for the Ohio Cyber Reserve, Cincinnati Region. Coordinates cross functional teams in complex cyber operations. Advocate of empowering students to create more diverse teams of high performing persons in the field of cybersecurity.

Kevin Jackson

CEO, Level6 Cybersecurity

Kevin E. Jackson is a visionary CEO, Chief information Security Officer (CISO), virtual CISO, and cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of experience as a technologist and security practitioner. He is the founder and CEO of Level 6 Cybersecurity, producer of the world's first ROI-focused... Read More →

Ryan Hamrick

Manager - Security Consulting & Professional Services, CBTS

Sponsors

Radiant Logic

Radiant Logic is the only solution delivering enterprise-wide identity hygiene at scale, reducing risk and accelerating time to value. Our central intelligence hub unifies 100% of an organization’s identity data, delivers 360º observability into your fully harmonized data, and... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 2

12:00pm EDT

Panel on Responsible AI Governance, Ethics, and Equity

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Examining the frameworks and ethical considerations for AI governance, this session focuses on ensuring that AI developments are equitable and responsible.

Speakers

Angie Westover-Munoz

Ohio State University

Joel Ramkhelawan

Multicultural Data Analyst, Envisify

Driven by a passion for storytelling, Joel recognizes the power of connections and relationships in building cultural understanding. Joel is a Multicultural Data Analyst with a background in innovation across various industries, including e-commerce and microbreweries. He holds dual... Read More →

Kristy Wedel

Learning Experience Manager, AlignAI

Kristy Wedel, Learning Experience Manager at AlignAI, has over 15 years of experience in developing and democratizing analytics solutions that drive transparency and efficiency across various industries including healthcare, banking and government. At the forefront of AI adoption... Read More →

Ashley Holcomb

Lead instructor, Girls Who Code coding club

Ashley Holcomb is a native of the greater St. Louis area (Go Blues!) who landed in Columbus, OH after interviewing for a job at the Grace Hopper Celebration in 2018. She has been a software engineer at JP Morgan Chase ever since. Ashley taught herself about robotics during the pandemic... Read More →

Mike Fulton

Co-Founder, Tech Community Nexus

Need help envisioning or driving a digital transformation or uplifting your IT operating model to deliver now and in the future? Those are two passion areas of mine, and I'd love to talk more about either or both with you. I am an award winning senior technology executive with global... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 1

12:45pm EDT

Lunch Break

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

Lunch and Learn: Designing for the Digital Divide

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

A special lunch and learn session presented by Doug McCullough and Color Coded Labs on Designing for the Digital Divide in the age of AI and Automation.

Speakers

Doug McCollough

The Beta District

Tuesday September 17, 2024 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Breakout Session, Stage 3

1:30pm EDT

Build Your Own AI Agent (Without Code)

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Learn how to build your own CustomGPT’s, AI Agents, and AI Workflows with Eli and Nate from CustomGPT.ai. They will be hosting a breakout session on each of the three days dedicated to this topic.

Learn more and try CustomGPT for free!

Speakers

Eli Simon

CustomGPT.ai

Nate Kocho

Growth Manager, Custom GPT

Sponsors

CustomGPT

Explore the power of custom AI with CustomGPT.ai, where creating your tailored chatbot is simplified. Use your own data to fuel a GPT-4 powered chatbot that delivers accurate, reliable responses without making up facts. Enhance your customer service, empower your internal teams, and... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Breakout Session, Stage 3

1:30pm EDT

Panel on AI and Workforce Development Planning

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

This panel addresses how AI impacts workforce development, emphasizing strategies for upskilling and reskilling to meet future demands.

Speakers

Chris McGraw

National Director, Lorien

With nearly 20 years of experience in talent management and talent acquisition, I lead Lorien's Permanent Placement practice by specializing in AI, Data, Cloud Infrastructure, and IT Security. Our dedicated recruiting practice serves mature startups to mid-sized organizations across... Read More →

Rich Granger

Managing Director, Workforce and Economic Dev, DriveOhio

Payal Thakur

Senior Director of Enterprise Analytics, JobsOhio

Matt Madden

Sales Engineer - AI & Analytics, CBTS

Matt Madden, Sales Engineer at CBTS, is passionate about helping enterprise clients cut through the noise of AI hype to achieve practical AI value today. With over five years of experience in omnichannel conversational intelligence, he specializes in advising and scoping the best... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 2

1:30pm EDT

Panel on Responsible AI: Green and Sustainable Technology

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

This session explores how AI can contribute to sustainability goals, with a focus on green technology and practices that reduce environmental impact.

Speakers

Mike Fulton

Co-Founder, Tech Community Nexus

Zack Huhn

Enterprise Technology Association

Steve Brunker

CEO, BRAIN-CA

Steve Brunker serves as CEO at Brain-CA Technologies, having been a Chief Information Officer for over 20 years at two publicly traded firms after having spent 18 years with Hewlett-Packard. He has a degree in Computer Science and has had a lifelong passion for a wide variety of technical... Read More →

Seth Flory

Executive Director, EY

My team focuses on providing our client engagement teams with digital tools powered by AI to help EY clients achieve their sustainability. We are also aligned with EY's technology consulting practice and help our client's deploy responsible AI solutions.

Sponsors

Brain-CA

At Brain-CA Technologies, we have designed a new simplified computing architecture based on Cellular Automata designed for Artificial Intelligence applications. Our projections show that this new architecture provides significant improvement in energy consumption, while performing... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 1

2:15pm EDT

Future of AI: Tools and Techniques to Prepare Your Org for AI

Tuesday September 17, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Nexigen CIO Mark Schnitter will give a special presentation for technology and business leaders digging into the future of AI, tools and techniques to properly position your team and organization, and lessons learned helping clients navigate AI and automation.

Speakers

Mark Schnitter

CIO, Nexigen

Mark is the Chief Information Officer at Nexigen, leading the IT security practice. He has vast experience in results-driven environments spanning multiple industries, organizational sizes, and technologies. A key aspect to Mark’s success is bringing people, process, and technology... Read More →

Sponsors

Nexigen

Nexigen is where AI and CyberSecurity meet. Build, implement, and scale your artificial intelligence applications confidently, as Nexigen acts as your virtual guardian, ensuring your digital safety and security. For the last 20+ years, Nexigen has provided enterprises, SMBs, and fast-growing... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
THE NOOK STAGE 3 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center, Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard, OH, USA

Breakout Session, Stage 3

2:15pm EDT

Connecting Community to AI Panel presented by NCUS

Tuesday September 17, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

The ITAP initiative showcases how partnerships between tech companies and public sector entities accelerate AI innovation and adoption while preparing the workforce of the future that bolsters opportunities for all people.

Speakers

Hope Yin

Founder & Owner, Blueprint Coaching

Hope Yin is an award-winning Professional Executive and Leadership Coach, certified by ICF (International Coaching Federation). She is the Founder & Owner of Blueprint Coaching and coached hundreds of women leaders in STEM to elevate their power, expand their potential, and amplify... Read More →

Thomas Gunn

National Center for Urban Solutions

Tuesday September 17, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
THE COVE STAGE 2 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Panel, Stage 2

2:15pm EDT

Panel on Responsible AI in Smart Cities, Counties, and Communities

Tuesday September 17, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

LAKEVIEW STAGE 1 @ WatersEdge Event & Conference Center

Focusing on AI’s role in creating smart, sustainable, and equitable urban, suburban, and rural environments, this session discusses real-world applications and collaborative approaches.

Speakers

Kris Brannock

EVP, VSI's Actionable IoT

Kris Brannock is an Executive Vice President at VSI’s Actionable IoT™, a technology company in Digital Transformation that automates the long tail of IoT for a more connected world. A corporate growth strategy influencer and Forty Under 40 alum, Kris focuses her attention on disruptive... Read More →

Panel, Stage 1

4:00pm EDT

AI Woodstock Networking Social

Tuesday September 17, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Crooked Can Brewing Co.

Join Columbus AI Week speakers, sponsors, attendees, and friends for the AI Woodstock Networking Social at Crooked Can Brewing Company 4-6pm. No cost to attend.

Tuesday September 17, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Crooked Can Brewing Co.

Reception