Animesh Garg
Stephen Fleming Early Career Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Follow on LinkedInAnimesh Garg is a Stephen Fleming Early Career Professor at the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech as well as on the faculty at University of Toronto and Vector Institute . He leads the People, AI, and Robotics (PAIR) research group. He is on the core faculty in the Robotics and Machine Learning programs. Animesh is also a Senior Researcher at Nvidia Research. Animesh earned a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and was previously a postdoc at the Stanford AI Lab. His work aims to build Generalizable Autonomy which involves a confluence of representations and algorithms for reinforcement learning, control, and perception — all in the purview of embodied systems. His work has received AAAI New Faculty Highlight and Best Paper Recognitions at top tier venues in Machine Learning and Robotics such as ICRA, IROS, RSS, Hamlyn Symposium, Workshops at NeurIPS, ICML, and has been widely covered in the press including New York Times, Nature, Wired, IEEE Spectrum.
Session(s):
What's Next: The Research That is Driving Industrial AI | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 4:00 PM (EST)
Ankur Mohan
Solutions Consultant, Rockwell Automation
Ankur Mohan is a Solution Consultant and a thought leader in Networks and Security. He is commercially responsible for these associated businesses and has been with Rockwell Automation for 10 years. He has a passion for digital transformation and cybersecurity. Most importantly he spends a significant amount of time helping customers progress along their personalized journeys.
Session(s):
Protecting Your Operations: Cybersecurity in the Age of Connected Operations | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 3:30 PM (EST)
Billyde Brown
Senior Research Faculty, EWD Director, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
Follow on LinkedInBillyde Brown is a Senior Research Faculty and Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Director at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), one of several interdisciplinary research institutes at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His primary role is to create strong partnerships among industry, government, and academia in manufacturing research, development, and deployment, while acquiring and managing sponsored research programs. Brown is also a manufacturing advisor with the Georgia Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, where he provides engineering services and connects minority-owned businesses and manufacturers with resources and expertise on Georgia Tech’s campus.
Further, Brown coordinates EWD programs such as a Manufacturing Certificate program for graduate students, NSF IMPACTS (Increasing Minority Presence in Academia through Continuous Training at Scale) program for underrepresented engineering faculty, and serves as a site host for Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing vertical of the Georgia Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) Fellowship program.
Brown teaches undergraduate and graduate engineering courses within the Georgia Tech College of Engineering. He also hosts the GTMI Lunch and Learn Series where each semester he arranges 5-10 seminars from industry, government, and academic speakers around the world to share advanced manufacturing knowledge. Brown has strong expertise in several technical areas including biosensors, nanomaterial synthesis and characterization, thin-film additive manufacturing, and electrochemical energy storage. He earned his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from NC State University and Duke University, respectively.
Session(s):
Automating for the Future: A Model for Workforce Upskilling & Technology Adoption | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 4:15 PM (EST)
Deryk Stoops
Instructor, AI Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing, Central Georgia Technical College
Follow on LinkedInDeryk Stoops is a faculty member at Central Georgia Technical College teaching AI-enhanced robotic manufacturing at the Georgia VECTR Center. The AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing program was launched in partnership with Georgia AIM in October 2023. This innovative program is designed to provide armed forces veterans with the training needed to transition into automation and robotics careers. Over a 15-week accelerated course, Stoops teaches a variety of subjects including automation safety, robotics operation and programming, vision and imaging systems, PLC programming, and artificial intelligence.
With a focus on hands-on, practical learning, Stoops ensures that students work directly with cutting-edge industrial robots, vision sensors, and smart automation technology. Graduates of the program earn both academic credits and industry-recognized certifications, equipping them for immediate employment or further educational opportunities.
Session(s):
Automating for the Future: A Model for Workforce Upskilling & Technology Adoption | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 4:15 PM (EST)
Dianne Eldridge
Worldwide BD/GTM Leader, Industrial AI/GenAI, Amazon Web Services
Follow on LinkedInDianne Eldridge is a trail blazer at the forefront of AI integration in the industrial sector. As the Worldwide Business Development Leader for Industrial AI/Generative AI at Amazon Web Services (AWS), she drives the creation, launch, and scaling of revolutionary AI services. Leveraging a customer-centric approach, Dianne and her team craft strategies that align with client needs, embodying AWS's commitment to transforming groundbreaking ideas into global, multi-billion dollar enterprises.
With over two decades of experience in the industrial sector, Dianne's expertise spans critical areas including AI implementation, P&L, strategic business development, and global operations. Prior to her role at AWS, she served as Executive Director of Strategic Business Unit at Emerson, a Fortune 200 engineering and manufacturing powerhouse. There, she led a multi-hundred-million-dollar manufacturing portfolio with operations across the United States, China, Malaysia, and Italy.
Recognized as a 2024 finalist for 50 Women to Watch For Boards by 50/50 Women On Boards, Dianne is a highly sought-after speaker and thought leader in the field of industrial AI and women in technology. Her insights have been shared through TEDx talk and as speaker and panelist at prestigious events such as AWS re:Invent, World Bank AI Insight Round Table, AI&Automation Conference by A3, and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) National Conference. Dianne's leadership extends to her roles as Advisory Board Chair for the Women's Energy Network (WEN) Houston and board member for the AI Technology Strategy Board at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).
Session(s):
Driving Business Transformation with AI: From Strategy to Deployment | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 11:00 AM (EST)
Donna Ennis
Co-director, Georgia AIM; Associate Vice President for Community Engagement, Georgia Institute of Technology
Follow on LinkedInDonna Ennis provides leadership across all EI2 units to develop collaborative funding opportunities and provide support and services to ensure the integration of diversity and inclusion into EI2’s programs and operations. She co-leads Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), a statewide project funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Georgia AIM leverages a network of partners to fulfill its mission of the equitable development and deployment of talent and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) for all manufacturing sectors. Ennis also serves as the director of community engagement for Georgia AIM to ensure that the project is inclusive across all communities throughout Georgia. Through innovation, collaboration, education, and participation, Georgia AIM is providing the tools and knowledge to empower all communities to participate fully in a diverse AI manufacturing workforce.
Session(s):
Automating for the Future: A Model for Workforce Upskilling & Technology Adoption | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 4:15 PM (EST)
Dr. Loretta Daniels
Executive Director, Technology Association of Georgia Education Collaborative
Follow on LinkedInLoretta Daniels is executive director of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Education Collaborative. Daniels is an expert in organizational leadership; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); conflict management; communication; and leadership coaching. In addition, she specializes in strategic planning and cultural competency. As an executive leader in the corporate arena, she has served in executive leadership roles such as chief operations officer, vice president of sales and marketing, executive director of sales operations, and general manager. In addition, she has written corporate training manuals, Leading by Example and Fast Track to Excellence.
Session(s):
Automating for the Future: A Model for Workforce Upskilling & Technology Adoption | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 4:15 PM (EST)
Eric Danziger
CEO & Co-Founder, Invisible AI
Follow on LinkedInEric Danziger is the CEO and Co-Founder of Invisible AI. After serving in the US Army for nearly a decade, Eric studied computer vision at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. He then moved to Silicon Valley and worked at several startups before joining the self-driving race at Luminar Technologies. In 2018, he founded Invisible AI to bring state-of-the-art technology from self-driving to industrial applications, blending his military experience and technical knowledge to help companies streamline operations.
Session(s):
The Future of AI Vision in the Smart Factory | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 1:30 PM (EST)
Forrest Shriver
CEO, Sentinel Devices
Follow on LinkedInDr. Forrest Shriver is the Founder and CEO of Sentinel Devices and a DOE Innovation Crossroads Fellow. He received his Master’s and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the age of 25, with his Master’s degree focused on supercomputer applications of GPUs and his doctoral dissertation focused on developing cutting-edge AI physics models for simulating nuclear reactors. During this time he also worked on nuclear non-proliferation projects for the U.S. Department of Energy, meeting simulation objectives using AI that could not be met using classical high-performance computing approaches. He has over eight years of developing performance-critical and security-sensitive software and AI applications for critical infrastructure, in both academic and industry settings. In his role at Sentinel Devices, he leads development of secure computing and monitoring technologies for this infrastructure, acting as technical director for the company’s flagship product, OTAware. In his career he has worked with a range of technical organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. He also serves as an AI application and strategy advisor for a number of technical and engineering-focused companies, including several in the nuclear power sector.
Session(s):
Start-Up Showcase: Meet 4 Cutting-Edge AI Companies | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Gregory Brown
Vice President of Strategy and R&D, UPS
Greg works on R&D and supply chain strategies that leverage First Mile to Last Mile solutions to meet the needs of UPS customers. His areas of focus include AI-enabled solutions like Next Generation Robotics, Automation, and new Hub/Facility modalities. He also works on areas like Autonomous Vehicles/Robots, Conversational AI, Digital Twins, and AR for workflow instructions.
Session(s):
PANEL DISCUSSION: How AI is Being Put to Work Today in Industry | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM (EST)
Harley Green
Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Oxipital AI
Follow on LinkedInHarley Green is the Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Oxipital AI In this position, Harley is responsible for supporting the organization’s strategic direction and identifying and capturing new business in the primary food and consumer packaged goods automation industry. With more than 20 years in the automation industry, Harley has diverse functional expertise with proven ability to quickly analyze and develop strategies to grow the business in multiple, complex markets.
Session(s):
Vision-Powered AI: The Application & Opportunities | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Jeffrey Adolf
Senior Specialist Manufacturing Technology, 3M
Follow on LinkedInJeff Adolf is a technical leader at 3M in the area of automated inspection and machine vision. He holds a dual B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Minnesota as well as a master’s degree with an emphasis in traditional image processing and machine learning. Over the past 10 years, Jeff has developed and deployed custom inspection systems to solve challenging inspection applications across 3M’s global footprint. Furthermore, he leads the strategy and execution of new vision technology platforms. Recently, he has championed the field of deep learning for vision, bringing novel defect detection and classification capabilities that impact operational efficiency, product yield, and new product commercialization.
Session(s):
PANEL DISCUSSION: How AI is Being Put to Work Today in Industry | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM (EST)
Karim Pourak
Co-founder and CEO, ProcessMiner
Follow on LinkedInKarim Pourak is a visionary technologist and accomplished serial entrepreneur based in Atlanta, Georgia. As the co-founder and CEO of ProcessMiner™, Karim leads a team dedicated to revolutionizing manufacturing through AI-driven process analytics and autonomous optimization. With three decades of experience in software product design, development, and commercialization, he has a proven track record of transforming innovative concepts into successful business ventures.
Karim's entrepreneurial journey includes co-founding several successful startups in the Biotech and AI sectors, such as BaseHealth Inc. and PrecisionWellness Inc. His passion for technology and commitment to innovation have positioned him as a key figure in leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning to solve complex business challenges.
At ProcessMiner, Karim focuses on delivering real-time, data-driven insights that enhance product quality, streamline manufacturing processes, and reduce waste. His dynamic leadership and deep understanding of technology's intersection with business continue to shape the future of manufacturing, making him an influential voice in the technology and industrial sectors.
Session(s):
Start-Up Showcase: Meet 4 Cutting-Edge AI Companies | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Kence Anderson
CEO & Founder, Composabl, Inc.
Follow on LinkedInAs the CEO and Founder of Composabl, Kence is a pioneering autonomous AI leveraging his deep expertise in the industrial sector. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for teaching, Kence has authored the book "Designing Autonomous AI" along with having developed courses for the University of Washington and the Association for Advancing Automation.
Previously the Director of Autonomous AI Adoption at Microsoft and the lead customer engineer for Bonsai (acquired by Microsoft), Anderson has spearheaded the creation of over 200 autonomous AI systems for commercial applications. Collaborating with industry giants such as PepsiCo, Bell Flight, BP, Shell, Bayer, Delta Airlines and others, Anderson’s impact is evident in projects across manufacturing.
Anderson’s unparalleled talent lies in integrating human expertise with AI principles, exemplified by the innovative Composabl platform. Motivated by the desire to empower the 100M industry machine engineers, Anderson and the Composabl team developed a groundbreaking no-code production-ready AI Agent Builder tool kit. This enables operators and engineers to build “Intelligent Agents” that the engineer can teach to solve nuanced and real-world problems that supersede the current capabilities of manufacturing floor automation.
Through Anderson’s Machine Teaching Methodology, detailed in his book, a new paradigm emerges, highlighting the abilities of AI to upskill workers and preserve legacy knowledge and expertise. #TheKingofMachineTeaching
Session(s):
Introduction to Industrial Artificial Intelligence: The Superpowers of AI | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 8:45 AM (EST)Designing Autonomous AI Agents – Half-Day Course | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 8:30 AM (EST)
Kevin DeMarco
CEO and Co-Founder, RIF Robotics Corp
Follow on LinkedInKevin DeMarco, Ph.D., is the CEO and co-founder of RIF Robotics, a startup at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and healthcare innovation. Under his leadership, RIF Robotics is changing hospital operations with PacR, an advanced robotic system that leverages modern computer vision to inspect surgical instruments and streamline the assembly of surgical trays. The concept for PacR emerged from a 2021 collaboration with the Veteran Affairs Innovation Network, where DeMarco and his team applied human-centered design to tackle real-world healthcare logistics challenges.
Prior to founding RIF Robotics, DeMarco was a Senior Research Engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), where he specialized in multi-agent decentralized control, reinforcement learning, and computer vision. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2016.
Session(s):
Start-Up Showcase: Meet 4 Cutting-Edge AI Companies | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Kristen Quasey
Product Marketing Manager - SIMATIC IPC and Industrial Copilot, Siemens
Follow on LinkedInKristen Quasey currently serves as the U.S. Product Marketing Manager for Siemens new generative AI solution, Industrial Copilot, and the SIMATIC Industrial PC product portfolio. In this role, Kristen plays a key part in driving product strategy, market positioning, and customer adoption. Kristen works closely with Siemens innovation teams to deliver solutions that empower manufacturers to embrace new industrial technologies.
After graduating Penn State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Kristen began her career at Siemens in the Siemens Leadership Development Program. Here she completed a two-year rotational experience across various business units and industries. This program equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of Siemens' operations, the automation industry, and the growing impact of digitalization on global manufacturing processes. Now in her role as a Product Marketing Manager, she is able to apply the knowledge she gained from these vast experiences and bridge the gap between technical innovation and customer needs.
Session(s):
Transforming Industry with Generative AI | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 3:45 PM (EST)
Matthew Gombolay
Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Follow on LinkedInDr. Matthew Gombolay is an Associate Professor of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was named the Anne and Alan Taetle Early-career Assistant Professor in 2018. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2011, an S.M. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT in 2013, and a Ph.D. in Autonomous Systems from MIT in 2017. Between defending his dissertation and joining the faculty at Georgia Tech, Dr. Gombolay served as technical staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, transitioning his research to the U.S. Navy and earning an R&D 100 Award. His publication record includes best paper awards and nominations from the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, the ACM/IEEE Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, the Conference on Robot Learning, and Robotics: Science and Systems. Dr. Gombolay was selected as a DARPA Riser and received the Early Career Award from the National Fire Control Symposium, a NASA Early Career Fellowship, and the NSF CAREER award.
Session(s):
What's Next: The Research That is Driving Industrial AI | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 4:00 PM (EST)
Max Kirkpatrick
Senior Key Expert - Manufacturing Simulation, Siemens
Max Kirkpatrick is a Senior Key Expert at Siemens, focusing on advanced manufacturing simulation and virtual commissioning techniques. He has a master's degree in aerospace engineering and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. He has been working for Siemens for over five years focusing primarily on manufacturing simulation, virtual commissioning, automation programming, AI- and vision-based quality inspection, synthetic data generation, and product lifecycle management. He is recognized by his peers as an expert in manufacturing simulation and has a passion for sharing his expertise with others.
Session(s):
Virtual Commissioning of AI Enabled Vision Systems with Photorealistic Rendering | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 11:30 AM (EST)
Nick Hobbs
Vice President of Sales, Apera AI
Follow on LinkedInNick has 13+ years of experience in automation sales and leads sales activities for Apera AI. Before joining Apera, he started the Indiana branch of a major systems integrator and grew the territory to be the largest in the company. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Ball State University. He is a passionate advocate for advanced manufacturing in North America through using new technologies that enable re-shoring.
Session(s):
Vision-Powered AI: The Application & Opportunities | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Rishi Gurnani
Director of Software & Algorithms, Matmerize
Follow on LinkedInDr. Rishi Gurnani is an expert in the field of deep learning and brings years of experience building enterprise software at Matmerize, where he currently leads as the Director of Software Engineering & Algorithms. Rishi earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech, where his thesis, titled "Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Accelerated Discovery of Energy Storage Polymers", garnered national and international acclaim. He continues to do fundamental research in this area.
Session(s):
Start-Up Showcase: Meet 4 Cutting-Edge AI Companies | Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM (EST)
Satyandra K. Gupta
Co-Founder & Chief Scientist, GrayMatter Robotics
Follow on LinkedInDr. Satyandra K. Gupta is a Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at GrayMatter Robotics. He also holds Smith International Professorship in the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California and serves as the founding director of the USC Viterbi Center for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as a program director for the National Robotics Initiative at the National Science Foundation from September 2012 to September 2014. Dr. Gupta’s research interests are physics-informed artificial intelligence, computational foundations for decision-making, and human-centered robotics and automation. He has published more than five hundred technical articles in journals, conference proceedings, and edited books. He also holds 22 patents. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and the Solid Modeling Association (SMA). He serves as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a member of the National Materials and Manufacturing Board (NMMB), and a member of Association for Advancing Automation (A3) Robotics Technology Strategy Board.
Session(s):
Physics-Informed AI for Powering Smart Robotic Cells in Manufacturing Applications | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 3:15 PM (EST)
Sean Lawrence
Associate Director of Automation, Tyson Foods
Follow on LinkedInSean Lawrence is an automation leader in the area of protein manufacturing at Tyson Foods. He holds a degree in mathematical sciences from Colby College, a master's in mechanical engineering from Columbia University and graduate certificate in supply chain & logistics from Oregon State. Sean began his career at Tyson Foods, focusing on standardizing and implementing end-of-line automation equipment across production facilities. Building on that foundation, he now leads a team dedicated to utilizing data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to implement smart factory technologies. Sean is focused on how people and technology can work together to become more efficient in a maintainable manner that is truly adopted by the Tyson workforce.
Session(s):
PANEL DISCUSSION: How AI is Being Put to Work Today in Industry | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM (EST)
Sean Madhavaraman
Project Manager, Industry 4.0, Strategy and Leadership Development, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP)
Follow on LinkedInSean Madhavaraman utilizes his 17 years of process engineering and advanced manufacturing experience as well as his passion for technology to serve as the GaMEP Industry 4.0 expert. He has a proven track record of utilizing data, communication, and organizational skills to deliver key business objectives through alignment and next generation technology.
Expertise: Process Automation, Process Control, Process Engineering, Manufacturing IT/OT, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Program & Project Management.
Education: M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Madurai Kamaraj University, Six Sigma Certified.
Session(s):
Automating for the Future: A Model for Workforce Upskilling & Technology Adoption | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 4:15 PM (EST)
Zsolt Kira
Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Follow on LinkedInZsolt Kira is an Associate Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Associate Director of Georgia Tech’s Machine Learning Center. His work lies at the intersection of machine learning and artificial intelligence for perception and robotics, focusing on open-world 2D and 3D scene understanding, Robust Vision-Language Foundation Models, and Embodied AI. Dr. Kira has grown a portfolio of projects funded by NSF, ONR, DARPA, and industry. He has also won the NSF CAREER Award, the College of Computing Outstanding Junior Faculty Research Award, and several best paper/student paper awards.