Conversations on Applied AI

The conversation this week is with Lukasz Borzecki, the CEO of VM Software House, a company specializing in bespoke IT project implementation using a nearshoring model for the central European countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.Lucas has a background that combines both sales and IT, starting with selling ERP software before transitioning to development, and eventually management. He emphasizes the importance of understanding business language for developers, as well as the need to move beyond just writing code. He also believes that AI developers will replace those who don't. Lucas is also a husband and father of three and enjoys playing the guitar and the accordion and hiking in the mountains.Lucas's unique perspective is that AI is a tool that helps with productivity, reduces busy work, and allows for more strategic thinking. He believes that AI is constantly evolving. However, he also stresses the importance of human involvement and decision-making, especially in areas governed by laws such as the EU's AI Act.When he's not working, Lucas enjoys playing the guitar and accordion and even uses his accordion skills to create a unique and positive work environment by playing "Happy Birthday" for employees on their birthdays.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources Mentioned in this EpisodeVM Software HouseGitHub CopilotMidjourneyThe McKinsey WayStory Brand (Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller)AI ActKey Topics DiscussedThe importance of understanding business language for developers and the ability to communicate with clients.AI as a tool for increasing productivity, reducing busy work, and focusing on strategic tasks.The role of AI in modernizing legacy software and processes.The evolving nature of AI and how it is not a 'zero to one' change, but rather a gradual process.The need for human involvement in AI processes and decision-making, especially in legal contexts.Using AI tools such as Copilot and Midjourney.Applying AI to various industries such as semiconductor, automotive, education, industry, and finance.The importance of considering the business impact of AI, – increasing revenue, decreasing costs, or decreasing risk.How to use AI for learning, and how to apply common sense when using AI tools.Enjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with David Wynn. David is the Principal Solution Architect at EdgeDelta and an enthusiast for all things technology.With a career spanning 15 years, including a pivotal role at Google Cloud for Games, David has cultivated a deep understanding of technical sales, solution architecture, and the transformative power of cloud services in the gaming industry and beyond. His unique perspective challenges the overreliance on AI, advocating for a balanced approach that leverages human ingenuity alongside technological advancements, especially in areas like observability.When he's not steering innovation, David revels in the vibrant geek culture of Atlanta and a regular at DragonCon, the largest multimedia popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy. His diverse interests span from technology to philosophyIf you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeEdgeDeltaDragonConSaturday Morning Breakfast Cereal by Zach Wiener Smith2024 CrowdStrike-related IT outagesAntithesisVector databaseK-means clusteringEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with John Stanton. John's specialties include working with nonprofits, specifically in the areas of organizational development, management, sales, marketing, and branding. He's currently the Vice President of Growth Strategy at Accord. Accord makes it possible for people living with disabilities to achieve their personal and career goals and live a full life. Their services and programs use person centric thinking and are experts in leading the way when it comes to mental health.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeAccordSocial Determinants of HealthLori Ryan on Conversations on Applied AIEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with Kevin Liu. Kevin is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Ohio State University and an Amazon visiting academic with Amazon.com. From August 2017 to August 2020, he was an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University. He currently serves as a Managing Director of the NSF AI Institute for Future Edge Networks and Distributed Intelligence at OSU. He received his PhD degree from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech in 2010. And among many awards, he was an NSF Career Award recipient and a winner of the Google Faculty Research Award in 2020.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeNSF AI Institute for Future Edge Networks and Distributed IntelligenceGoogle DeepMindMulti-armed banditReinforcement learningFederated learningMMLS 2024Retrieval-Augmented GenerationAlphaGoEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with Satish Muvva. Satish has founded two companies, both harnessing cutting edge technology and focusing on health. His latest company, CarePredict, has a simple goal, making it easier to take care of and look out for seniors. He's invented a wearable device called Tempo, the first designed for the elderly, which lends our activities of daily living and compiles these patterns into an individual's rhythm journal. Prior to CarePredict, he founded ContinuLink, an innovative home care medical staffing and hospice IT SaaS company, which he sold to Pecura in 2011. Innovation and healthcare have been constant themes throughout his career, and he's passionate about exploring and finding new ways to tackle problems.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeCarePredictTempoPredictive maintenanceGeoffrey HintonThe Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI by Fei-Fei Li Mechanical TurkNational Association for Home Care & HospiceHomeCare1002024 Senior Living Executive ConferenceLeading Edge ConferencesEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with Nick Roseth. Nick is a visionary technologist positioned at the nexus of business technology and design. His 25 year career spans startups and Fortune 500 companies, where he has driven innovation and sustainable success. Nick leads efforts to harness emerging technologies such as spatial computing, which encompasses augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, hardware, and SaaS. His work cuts across diverse industries, including healthcare, finance, and construction. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Nick is an influential public speaker and a staunch advocate for emerging technologies. He's done a TEDx talk on bringing tech jobs to rural America and was the creator of DocuMNtary, a forum exploring tech entrepreneurship in Minnesota. And if that wasn't enough, he's the chapter president of VR/AR Minneapolis as he continues to champion the integration of technology in community development.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeNick Roseth’s Ted TalkDocuMNtaryVR/AR MinneapolisMicrosoft HoloLensExplore DesignDiffusion of Innovations by Everett RogersCrossing the Chasm by Geoffrey MooreHuman Factors PsychologyA Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence by Jeff HawkinsMan's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklThe Coming Wave by Mustafa SuleymanCo-Intelligence: Living and Working with AIAction Research Collaborative - Cornell UniversityEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

Zach Hatch, an AI and automation engineer at Gemini, is a wizard in creating custom AI systems that refine business processes. He shares insights on the evolution of large language models and their role in enhancing natural interactions. The discussion sails through how generative AI is reshaping marketing, fostering user engagement, and the balance with employment concerns. Zach also reveals the transformative power of AI chatbots and their ability to revolutionize customer interactions, proving AI's vital role in modern business.

The conversation this week is with Lori Ryan. Lori is the creator of Lorignite.com an artificial intelligence hub aimed at making AI more accessible. Additionally, with more than 20 years of experience in local TV news production, she's honed her skills in identifying and conveying what people care about in an easy to understand manner. And this skill set has allowed her to curate content on Laurie Ignite and help people navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Her extensive background in IT project management includes working with Fortune 100 companies across the globe, Implementing technology solutions and managing complex projects.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeLorignite.comThe Mel Robbins PodcastThe 5 Second Rule by Mel RobbinsAISALONLab651AI Futures An Anthology by Kyle ShannonEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with Rajeev Bukralia. Rajeev holds the position of a tenured associate professor and the graduate coordinator in the Department of Computer Information Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato.He specializes in AI data science and IT strategies and serves as the founding director for the MS Data Science program. He's also currently focused on investigating responsible AI including the ethical implications and XAI Otherwise known as explainable AI. He is the founder and advisor of Dream, a prominent student organization focused on AI and data science, which has over 300 members. His commitment to student success and professional contributions have been recognized through various fellowships and awards. including the Minnesota State Outstanding Educator Award.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeDREAMExplainable Artificial IntelligenceACID frameworkBase FrameworkHadoop EcosystemSparkThe Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics CompetitionEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

The conversation this week is with Peter Edstrom. Peter is a proactive, methodical leader and team player with 24 years of software experience, adept at building teams and fostering organizational alignment to solve complex business and software problems. He's skilled in product management, agile development, and process improvement, with a track record of collaborating with various teams. To create meaningful change in the organization.Throughout his career, he's had a diverse, wide range of experiences from designing a public media multi touch book for the iPad and also working on a government bioterrorism alerting platform. He's currently a Director of Technical Product Unified Enterprise Search at Optum.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeOptumBehavioral GroovesSoraPomodoro TechniqueUnconfuse Me with Bill GatesExhalation by Ted ChiangStories of Your Life and Others by Ted ChiangAccelerando (Singularity) by Charles StrossThe Age of Spiritual Machines by Ray KurzweilNever Eat Alone by Keith FerrazziAtomic Habits by James ClearEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens