Conference Schedule

8:30 AM – 9:20 AM | Registration & Breakfast Networking

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Guest Arrival & Check-in

Coffee & Light Breakfast

Sponsor Visibility & Informal Networking

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9:20 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks

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Speaker: Ahmed ‘Flex’ Omar | Founder, UPWARD

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9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Opening Keynote

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Speaker: Addison Merchut

Title: Hardware Is Hard: Building Stronger Products Through AI-Enhanced NPI

Core Thesis: Developing physical products will always be inherently difficult because physics, supply chains, and manufacturing do not bend to software timelines. AI doesn't shortcut that reality—instead, it acts as a force multiplier for rigor, tightening the gaps between engineering, documentation, quality, and procurement.

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10:00 AM – 10:40 AM | Panel Discussion

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Title: Workforce Development in the 5th Industrial Revolution

Speakers: April Welch, Candice Smith (Moderator), William Smith, Semhar Amdemichael

Overview: The next phase of industry will merge artificial intelligence, robotics, and human creativity. This panel explores how leaders, educators, and companies are preparing the workforce for this shift.

Discussion Topics:

Human-AI collaboration

Workforce reskilling and AI literacy

Robotics and automation in industry

Preparing students and workers for the next economy

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10:40 AM – 11:00 AM | Coffee Break

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11:00 AM – 11:40 AM | Panel Discussion

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Title: AI Safety & Cybersecurity: Defending the Intelligent Enterprise

Speakers: Simran Sakrany, Jeff Cohn, Payal Patel (Moderator)

Overview: As organizations deploy AI systems, new risks emerge around security, data integrity, and system vulnerabilities. This panel explores how companies can secure the next generation of digital infrastructure.

Discussion Topics:

AI security risks and model vulnerabilities

Protecting data pipelines and training datasets

Cybersecurity strategies for AI-enabled companies

Risk management for organizations adoption

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11:40 AM – 12:00 PM | Networking Break

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12:00 PM – 12:40 PM | Closing Keynote & Discussion

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Title: The Heartland Opportunity: AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity, and the Next Industrial System

Speakers: Jourdan Sorrell (Moderator), Nick Farina, Ahmed Flex Omar

Overview: This keynote connects the technological forces shaping the next decade—AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and quantum computing—and reflects on Chicago’s role in the future of innovation across AI, manufacturing, logistics, and hard technology. The conversation explores how leaders should prepare their organizations and how to best leverage the unique regional potential of Chicago and the Midwest.

Key Topics:

Convergence of emerging technologies

Strategic implications for business and government

Infrastructure for the intelligence economy