2025 Beyond Big Data: AI/Machine Learning Summit

2025 Beyond Big Data: AI/Machine Learning Summit
Presented by Pittsburgh Technology Council and CGI
About | Agenda | Keynote | Panel Discussions | Speakers | Sponsors | Cost | Contact

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | Sheraton Hotel Pittsburgh at Station Square

Register before January 24 for discounted registration!

About Beyond Big Data
Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning are empowering businesses, solving tough challenges, and have the potential to make life easier and more productive for us all.

C-level executives in a variety of industries are using these technologies to make better business decisions and to serve their customers better and more efficiently. However, navigating through the hype and the magnitude of data may be a challenge.

Now in its 10th year, Beyond Big Data: AI/ML Summit is a unique opportunity for managers on every level to learn more about the opportunities of artificial intelligence and machine learning while connecting with other industry professionals. With a focus on trends and best practices, the event aims to explore strategies, and practical applications surrounding data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning while keeping in mind the implications of regulations, privacy, data protection, and ethics that govern this field.

All content subject to change!

Keynote Speaker
Headshot

Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO, Gecko Robotics
Jake Loosararian is the co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics, the company combining advanced robotics and AI-powered software to help ensure the availability, reliability and sustainability of the critical infrastructure that powers our world – today and tomorrow.

Jake built the first version of Gecko’s wall-climbing robots as a college engineering student after learning how frequently assets failed at a local power plant. He discovered how little data we have about the important assets that power our daily lives. As an engineer, he saw this as a solvable problem, and his initial robot helped that power plant drastically reduce its downtime, saving the plant money and preventing power outages for thousands of families.

At 22 years old, after graduating from Grove City College near Pittsburgh, Jake bootstrapped and launched Gecko Robotics in 2013. In 2016, Gecko Robotics was selected to be a part of YCombinator’s incubator class of promising startup companies. While many of his peers built apps or solutions to day-to-day business challenges, Jake had a different path in mind. He chose to look at how advanced robotics and digitalization could help tackle an industry in critical need of modernization: our global infrastructure. Gecko Robotics graduated from YCombinator with a lot of momentum and an acquisition offer. But, Jake and his co-founder Troy Demmer turned down that offer in favor of building the company their way.

Today, Gecko’s innovative climbing robots capture data from the real world that was never before accessible: from pipelines, boilers, tanks, ship hulls, missile silos and other critical asset types. Gecko’s AI-driven software platform then enables human experts to contextualize that data and translate it into operational improvements. Beyond Gecko’s work with energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing companies around the world, Gecko also works with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy to protect and optimize maintenance plans for critical infrastructure.

Panel Discussions
Crafting an AI Roadmap: Strategy and Implementation – Sponsored by Morgan Lewis
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool in transforming industries, driving innovation, and solving complex challenges. However, creating an AI roadmap and strategy that aligns with business goals and organizational capacities is a complex task. It involves careful planning, resource allocation, talent acquisition, and ensuring responsible AI use. In this panel, industry leaders and AI experts will explore the critical steps in designing an AI roadmap, strategies for successful AI adoption, and the common pitfalls organizations face. The discussion will cover practical approaches to managing expectations, building scalable AI solutions, and navigating the challenges inherent in AI projects.

Panelists

Francois Estellon, CTO, SGK/Matthews International
Will Lewis, Chief Data Officer, Sheetz
Arjun Srinivasan, Director of Data Science (AI/ML/GenAI), Wesco
Heiko Will, Chief Digital Officer, MSA Safety
Moderated by Doneld Shelkey, Partner, Morgan Lewis

Building Smarter AI: Data Science, Trustworthy AI and the Future of Models
As artificial intelligence and data science continue to revolutionize industries, understanding the complexities of training AI and leveraging data science methodologies has become essential for creating effective and ethical systems. This panel will feature top experts in AI, machine learning, and data science who will discuss their approaches to training AI, managing data, addressing ethical concerns, and the innovations shaping the future of these fields. Panelists will dive into AI model training techniques, data science strategies, and how these intersect to drive real-world solutions that are powerful, scalable, and trustworthy.

Panelists

Ankur Sharma, Head of Medical Devices and Digital, Radiology, Bayer
Ian Blunt, VP of Advanced Analytics, Highmark Health
Paul Nielsen, Managing Director, Near Earth Autonomy
Eric Perz, Vice President, Data Science, Brunner
Moderated by Andrew W. Hannah, Chairperson – University of Pittsburgh’s Responsible Data Science Advisory Board

Keeping Up with the Pace of AI: Leveraging AI as an Enabler – Sponsored by EY
As the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence reshapes industries, staying competitive requires more than just adopting cutting-edge technology—it demands empowering your workforce to work alongside AI. This panel will explore how organizations can upskill their employees to thrive in an AI-driven world, while also using AI as an enabler to unlock new levels of productivity and innovation.

Industry leaders and experts will share strategies for addressing the skills gap and creating a culture that embraces continuous learning. The discussion will also cover how AI tools can assist employees in their roles, making day-to-day tasks more efficient, enabling creativity, and enhancing decision-making processes. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on how to keep pace with AI development by aligning technology deployment with human-centered growth strategies.

Panelists

Christopher Martin, Senior Director, Responsible AI, BNY
Siddhartha Mukherjee, Principal Engineer, Ansys
Danielle Proctor, President and CEO, Advanced Construction Robotics
Shane Shaneman, Senior AI Strategist, NVIDIA
Moderated by Aaron J Rakes, Senior Manager – AI Enabled Automation, EY

Tech Talks
We will feature several sessions of breakouts on a variety of topics.

Generative AI and Industry Applications

Ambient AI in the Physician’s Office: UPMC’s Experience – Presented by Dr. Michael Curren, UPMC
Strategic AI Integration for Innovative LTC Pharmacy Solutions – Presented by Terry Dean, Director Product Operations and Execution, SoftWriters, Inc.
AI Products for the Enterprise – Presented by Paul Kudrle, Director of Data and Analytics, EPAM.
Addressing the manufacturing challenges through AI/ML – Presented by Marek Hajn, Founder, PocketSquare Ventures
Designing Adaptive AI Solutions for Continuous Growth – Presented by Adam Mudrick, Principal Data Scientist, FTSi.ai
AI for Organizational Efficiency

Unlocking Organizational Efficiency with Generative AI – Presented by Sabu Thomas, Sr. Director of Engineering, BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc.
How to Implement Real World AI in Your Organization Today – Presented by Jason Bishop, AI North America Lead, Qlik
Insights to Impact – Presented by Karen Medina Trader, MSBA, and Trevor Caskey, PhD, SimWell
Innovating with AI: Are You Doing It Wrong? – Presented by Morgan Llewellyn, AI Practice Principal, HIKE2
AI for Business Success – Presented by Arjun Srinivasan, Director – Data Science, Wesco
Emerging AI Technologies and Applications

Advanced RAG: Engineering AI Systems that Enhance Human Decision-Making – Presented by Justin Wray, Chief Technology Officer, MorelandConnect
Inspection Redefined: Leveraging AI and Sensor Fusion for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency – Presented by Brian Freed, CFA, CEO, Illuminex AI
Digital Twins, Privacy, and the Future of Built Space – Presented by Jake Morrison, Designer, and Sophia Ogiso, Associate Vice President CannonDesign
AI at the Edge – Presented by Dan Flynn, President/CEO & Owner, Accipiter Systems, Inc.
How To Use Generative AI to Build (And Not Break) Software – Presented by Dr. Alex Moskowitz, Principal Research Scientist, VISIMO
AI in Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Rethinking the Cyber Kill Chain for AI – Presented by Alexis Lavi, AG Partner
Strategizing AI for Cybersecurity and Data Protection: Best Practices for Organizations – Presented by John Synek, Risk Consulting Manager, RSM US LLP
GenAI in BIFS and Beyond: Unlocking Efficiency with Data Security – Presented by Kushagra Soni, Director – Consulting Services, CGI
Building an AI Acceptable Use Policy for Your Employees – Presented by David Kane, CEO – Managing Partner, Ethical Intruder
Manage Generative AI Risk – Presented by Jenny Yu, Founder and CEO, Himalaya Quantitative Solutions