Tech Nite 2017 | Keynote
Dr. Sven Brueckner, Axon AI
Artificial Intelligence for the Real World
Depending on whom you ask, the creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will bring either the end of mankind (Elon Musk) or the solution to all our woes (Ray Kurzweil). What many people do not realize is that AI is already here and is used to improve business performance, discover cures for diseases, and generally, simplify our life in a world of ever increasing information. Dr. Sven Brueckner, renowned computer scientist and co-founder of AxonAI Inc., will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in applied artificial intelligence and machine learning with an emphasis on practical applications that are already available today.
AND THE NOMINEES ARE...
Innovation in Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award is given to an individual, team, nonprofit/civic organization, or company in the Shenandoah Valley that aspires to use its capabilities to help solve a social or environmental issue in a local community while using technology to amplify the impact of a service, mission, or project. Collaborative efforts welcome.
Nominees:
Explore More Discovery Museum & JMU Debate Club
Harrisonburg Gift and Thrift, Inc. & Secure Futures, LLC
Wildlife Center of Virginia
Innovation in Emerging Business Award
Awarded to a Shenandoah Valley start-up technology company, or entrepreneur, that has proven the ability to achieve commercial success. Employees: 1-25
Nominees:
Blue Vigil, LLC
Canvex
The Chiedo Companies
IMADE3D
Ryzing Technologies
Innovation in Education K-12 Award
Awarded to the educator or program in K-12 that provides exceptional technology leadership, innovative use and/or development of technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math.
Nominees:
Lucas Conner, Alleghany County Public Schools
Matt Goss, Blue Ridge Community College
SGT Kenneth Glass,
Fishburne Military School
Amy Sabarre, Jeremy Aldrich, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Remy Pangle, The KidWind Challenge/JMU Wind Energy
Chris Dalton, Massanutten Technical Center
Dr. Oskar Scheikl, Rockingham County Public Schools
Eric Johnston, Patrick Graybeal, Kathy Chrisman, SD Solutions et al
Matthew Britton, Shenandoah County Public Schools
Jessica Herr, Staunton City Public Schools
Innovation In Higher Education Award
Awarded to the educator or program in higher education that provides exceptional technology leadership, innovative use and/or development of technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math.
Nominees:
"Knowledge to Work" / Lord Fairfax Community College
Robert Pastor, Michael Szul, Ashish Pathak, UVA SoM,
Software and Development Implementation
COL Stacia Vargas, PhD, VMI / VMI Research Laboratory
Innovation in Development Award
Awarded to a company or organization whose development of new technology applications and/or systems creates new processes, methodologies, and/or services for their own or others' benefit.
Nominees:
Dr. Sven Brueckner, Axon AI, Inc.
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery's
CAST Project Team
Immerge Technologies
Ben Hanson, Serco, Inc.
Innovation in Utilization Award
This award recognizes outstanding commercial growth and achievement by an established company that either produces or markets high tech products or services, or an established company or organization that produces/offers more traditional products and services (where technology itself is not the core business purpose).
Nominees:
Rivermont Farm
The Rockingham Group
Shenandoah Computer Center
Sigora Solar
Total Technology Management
Dr. John Noftsinger Leadership Award
Recipient's leadership has served as a catalyst for
positive technology-related activity in the Shenandoah Valley.
(Only one nominee is publicized, even if several nominations were received)
Nominee:
Dr. Harry Reif,
JMU CoB, Dept. of
Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics
People's Choice Award
Awarded to one nominee from the other categories. All nominees are candidates - and the company, organization, or individual with the most votes through social media *before* and *during* the event will win.
Instructions on how to participate,
incl. what the hashtag will be, will be given in early April.
Get ready to vote for your favorite!
