Overview Agenda Speakers Partners Resources Recorded Sessions
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4
Opening Address
9:00 – 9:15, Rooms 220-230
Session 1 – Transportation 4.0: Revolutionizing Decision-Making with Industry 4.0
Anuj Sharma, Director, FAST-TrAC, Iowa State University
The Industry 4.0 revolution is transforming transportation decision-making by integrating advanced technologies like big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation. This shift, often referred to as Transportation 4.0, is enabling smarter, more efficient, and data-driven decisions across all aspects of transportation systems. I will be presenting on how we have used these technologies to revolutionize decision-making at Iowa DOT
9:25 -10:10, Room 250
Session 2 – Pure Imagination: Innovating with Generative AI, Today and Tomorrow
Tyler Bell, Assistant Professor, University of Iowa, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering
Generative AI is transforming how we work, create, innovate, and connect. This talk will showcase innovations across text, image, video, audio generation and more. We will discuss specific examples of how today’s generative capabilities are being used to drive research in novel, creative, and powerful directions. As we consider the potential AI is unlocking today, we’ll also explore how continued advancements might shape our future.
10:20 – 11:05, Room 250
Session 3 – (Interactive Discussion) AI-Driven Innovation Exchange
Track 1 AI Innovation Experts
Join our Interactive Facilitated Discussion for Track 1 – Leveraging AI in Innovation, where you’ll engage directly with AI and innovation experts in an open, dynamic conversation. This session is designed to dive deeper into how AI can drive new product development, enhance services, and open new market opportunities. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, share your experiences, and explore practical applications of AI in innovation with industry leaders and peers. Whether you’re looking to implement AI in your R&D processes, accelerate time-to-market, or discover new growth strategies, this discussion offers a unique opportunity to shape the conversation and walk away with actionable ideas tailored to your business needs.
11:15 – 12:00, Room 250
Lunch
12:10 – 1:10, Rooms 220 – 230
Session 4 – Patent Pending…Or Pretending? The AI Inventor Dilemma
Zach S. Pratt, Shareholder, Fredrikson & Byron P.A.
Using artificial intelligence as a research and development tool can lead to great innovation at an unprecedented rate, but what limits should be placed on those tools? Recently, the USPTO has defined those limits, issuing guidance on when an invention can still be patentable or when a creative work can be copyrighted when artificial intelligence was involved in its development. We will also touch on how foreign jurisdictions may place different limits on those tools, creating additional points of consideration.
1:20 – 2:05, Room 250
Session 5 – AI for All, Unlocking Your Data with Natural Language
Jim Sherlock, Chief Technology Officer, Co-Founder, Cybercade
Your data contains the keys to innovation and growth, but accessing those insights has historically required a high level of expertise. This session introduces you to the new world of data analytics powered by AI, where anyone can analyze datasets using natural language. We’ll explore how Generative AI tools are democratizing data analytics, allowing teams to visualize trends, create dashboards, and perform predictive analysis—all by simply talking to their data. Additionally, we’ll discuss how companies can securely analyze sensitive data, leveraging AI in a way that ensures compliance and security, so you can gain insights without compromising privacy.
2:15 – 3:00, Room 250
Session 6 – Navigating AI Adoption: Overcoming Barriers in B2B Marketing
Priyanka Jayashankar, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Marketing, Ivy College of Business, Iowa State University
In recent times, B2B marketers have paid close to attention to the barriers and catalysts to AI adoption. While AI tools have an evident impact on productivity as documented in the case of agriculture, marketers come across situations wherein clients voice concerns about privacy and risks associated with sharing of data. This talk not only gives an overview of adoption barriers, but also discusses strategies for b2b marketers to overcome adoption barriers. For example, product and service co-creation strategies involving clients, improved sales interactions and promotional strategies that help allay clients’ fears about data privacy will be discussed at length. The talk will consists of use cases from different sectors spanning agriculture and fintech. In addition, insights will also be provided on how to promote AI adoption in diverse contexts such as micro-enterprises in emerging market contexts.
3:10 – 3:55, Room 250
Closing Session
4:05 – 4:25, Rooms 220 – 230
Networking
4:25 – 6:00, Rooms 220 – 230