Day one speakers – Nov. 27
This topic provides an overarching view of how AI and other technologies are transforming businesses, focusing on technological maturity and automation trends specific to Southern Alberta.
Aditya’s focus on AI integration in businesses will allow attendees to explore specific use cases and understand how AI can be tailored to their operational needs.
Aditya Phadke is a Data Scientist. He specializes in building client solutions using large language models and AI technologies. With a background in healthcare project management and Machine Learning Operations engineering, Aditya has developed custom models and deployed data science pipelines. As a part-time instructor, he teaches various programming, database management, and analytics courses, further contributing to his deep expertise in the field.
This topic focuses on ethics and security is timely and essential, as businesses adopting AI need to understand the implications of data privacy, security, and ethical considerations.
Josephine will discuss best practices for data governance and offer a framework for ensuring AI applications adhere to ethical standards. Case studies on ethical AI challenges and how companies have addressed them will provide practical insights. She will present case studies.
Day two speakers – Dec. 11
This topic will focus on AI implementation and provide a practical continuation into application strategies. Attendees move from understanding AI trends to actionable steps for integrating AI in a specific business function.
Pragith Prakash is a Senior Business Intelligence Engineer at Tinuiti, where he handles large-scale data migrations and leads Business Intelligence and analytics solutions within Amazon Marketing Cloud. He has over 12 years of experience in data science, cloud computing, and automation, working with technologies like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Pragith is also an adjunct professor at Cambrian College, teaching statistics, data visualization, and connected data courses. His consulting experience spans startups to big corporations, giving him a broad perspective on implementing innovative data solutions in diverse business environments.
This session will focus on the importance of program evaluation in business environments, building on themes of data management and operational efficiency. Vivian’s expertise in evaluating the effectiveness of programs will provide attendees with a structured approach to assess and optimize their initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals.
Vivian Oystrick, RSW MSW PhD is an experienced program evaluation expert and a Registered Social Worker. She has a strong background in social work, focusing on program evaluation and research. She specializes in helping organizations assess their programs’ effectiveness and improve outcomes. Dr. Oystrick was also a research manager, and works with community-based initiatives and resilience-building efforts.
In this topic, attendees will be exposed to essential stages of the data journey and how to approach AI in a way that works for any size business. This session will include data collection and structure, benefits and costs and a practical road map example.
Mark Arkell, Founder and Chief Tinkering Officer at Agri-Food Automation, leads a team at the cutting edge of agricultural and food processing automation with a vision to create food abundance through automation. With 18 years of experience, Mark has been a driving force in the industry, notably contributing to significant capital projects within leading seed producers. His involvement in the industry extended to serving on the Executive Board of the International Society of Automation, for 4 years where he played a key role in advancing the field.
Mark’s expertise spans a broad range of subjects within industrial automation, reflecting a deep understanding of how technology can revolutionize agriculture and food processing. As speaker he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, ready to share insights and engage in discussions on the latest trends and challenges facing the industry.
Bonus day speaker – Dec. 16
Join Dr. Sidney Shapiro on December 16th, 2024, virtually from 1:00pm-2:00pm and dive into the transformative potential of no-code and low-code platforms in today’s business landscape. These platforms offer a powerful way to accelerate digital innovation, enabling non-technical users and business teams to design, develop, and deploy applications with minimal coding effort. We will begin by exploring a range of tools and vendors that are making it easier than ever to turn ideas into functional software, covering everything from workflow automation to data-driven dashboards. By leveraging these platforms, organizations can streamline processes, enhance productivity, and reduce the strain on traditional IT resources, making it possible to rapidly respond to evolving business needs.
The session will also include a hands-on demonstration where we will build an application from scratch using a simple spreadsheet. This live demo aims to showcase just how intuitive and accessible these platforms have become, turning a basic data set into a fully functioning app within minutes. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of the practical applications, limitations, and opportunities that no-code and low-code tools offer. Whether you’re looking to prototype new solutions, enhance customer experiences, or optimize internal processes, this session will provide the knowledge and inspiration to explore these tools further.