AI Innovation Summit
2025 date announced soon!
Pre-sale tickets end 6.1.24!
Memories from 2024 Summit
With hundreds of registered attendees, our 2024 AI Innovation Summit was filled with AI programming, panels, speakers, and keynotes that left our innovation community inspired! Go to the full event playlist.
Who should attend?
This event brings together 250+ startups, investors, corporate partners, and industry experts already in the AI space and those who are curious.
Public
Early stage startups
Growth startups
Late stage lab partners
Corporate innovators
VCs
Supported by
2024
Keynotes
Adam McElhinney is currently the CEO of at Uptake Technologies, where he leads a team building cutting-edge industrial data analytics tools for transportation, defense and industrial use cases. Previously, Adam was the Chief Data Science Officer and Vice President of Insights at Paylocity. In his role, Adam oversees a team of 155 data scientists, software engineers, data engineers and product managers. Additionally, Adam is a former Adjunct Professor in the Computer Science and Mathematics departments at Illinois Institute of Technology. Adam holds a Masters in Statistics from University of Illinois-Chicago and has undergraduate degrees in Mathematics, Economics and Political Science from Indiana University-Bloomington. Additionally, Adam has filed 19 patents for his research in machine learning, internet of things (IOT), software engineering and big data technology.
Chris Gladwin
CEO
Chris is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ocient, a company providing the software platform for the
largest data analyzing systems in the world. He also is the Chair and Co-Founder of The Forge
which provides amazing recreational and environmental experiences. And Chris is the Chair
and Co-Founder of P33, who is helping transform Chicago into a globally top-tier tech region.
Chris was the Founder and CEO of Cleversafe which became the largest and most strategic
object storage vendor. He also was the Founding CEO of MusicNow, which provided the first
digital music services. Chris is an inventor on over 250 patents, has an engineering degree from MIT and a PhD from Illinois Tech.
Built w/
1871 has partnered with visionary leaders in AI to build the summit experience.
2024 Summit Agenda
Tickets now available for purchase, free for members
6.27.24 | 8:45 AM – 6 :45 PM CST
Welcome Breakfast
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Start the day with a welcoming breakfast where attendees can mingle and prepare for the day’s sessions.
Opening Remarks
9:15 AM – 9:25 AM
Welcome by the event organizers, setting the expectations and overview for the day.
Betsy Ziegler, CEO @1871
Opening Keynote
9:25 – 10:05 AM
A deep dive into the impact of technology and innovation in modern industries featuring a Fireside:
Adam McElhinney, CEO @ Uptake
Betsy Ziegler, CEO @1871
Break
10:05 AM – 10:20 AM
A short break for attendees to refresh and network.
Break Out Rooms
10:20 AM – 11:20 AM
Another opportunity to take a brief pause before the next set of activities.
How to Turn AI Chaos into Clarity
Alex Castrounis, Founder & CEO @Why of AI
Erik O’Brien, Chief Product Officer, @ Why of AI
Justin Johnson, Chief Growth Officer, @ Why of AI
What Issues Are Blocking AI Adoption?
Dean Wampler, Head of Technology @ IBM
Human-Centered AI for Enterprises: Developing a Strategy for a Voice-First Future
Hosted by Ex3 Labs.
Break
11:20 AM – 11:30 AM
Another opportunity to take a brief pause before the next set of activities.
Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
A lunch break where attendees can recharge and engage in informal discussions.
Partner Panel
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
A panel discussion featuring partners discussing collaborative successes and future industry trends.
Real-World AI: Leader Insights
Hosted by Alex Castrounis @ Founder & CEO Why of AI
Arjun Ravi Kannan, Director, Data Science Research @ Discover Financial Services
Shantanu Bose, Chief Academic Officer and Provost @ DeVry University
Stephen Jenkins, Managing Associate General Counsel @ Verizon
Nawaz Kahn, IT Product Manager @ Beam Suntory
Break
2:20 PM – 2:30 PM
Time for a quick break following the engaging panel discussion.
Pitch Session 1
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
The first session of pitch presentations by entrepreneurs seeking feedback and potential investors – featuring 1871’s 2024 AI Innovation Lab Cohort.
AI Hub Launch
3:20 PM – 3:35 PM
Announcing the launch of a new AI-focused initiative, showcasing the latest advancements and applications in artificial intelligence.
Xiaochen Zhang, CEO @ FinTech4Good; Co-Chair @ AI 2030
Kristi Dula, Deputy Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology @ the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, State of Illinois
Betsy Ziegler, CEO @1871
Pitch Session 2
3:35 PM – 4:15 PM
The second round of pitches, offering another group of startups the opportunity to present their innovative ideas – featuring 1871’s 2024 AI Innovation Lab Cohort.
Break
4:15 PM – 4:25 PM
A brief intermission before the closing keynote.
Closing Keynote
4:25 PM – 5:05 PM
A final keynote session that encapsulates the insights and inspirations from the day’s events featuring a Fireside with 1871’s CEO Betsy Ziegler &Chris Gladwin, CEO @ Ocient.
Betsy Ziegler, CEO @1871
Chris Gladwin, CEO @Ocient
Closing Remarks
5:05 PM – 5:15 PM
A wrap-up of the day’s sessions, thanking all participants, speakers, and sponsors with 1871’s CEO, Betsy Ziegler.
Betsy Ziegler, CEO @1871
Happy Hour Offsite at Barrio
5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
65 W Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Conclude the event with an offsite Happy Hour, offering a relaxed atmosphere for networking and unwinding after a full day of activities.
Welcome breakfast
9:00 AM
Networking, coffee, and light breakfast.
Opening remarks
9:30 AM
1871 CEO Betsy Ziegler
Morning fireside
A Global Perspective on AI Driven Transformation.
9:45 AM
Serbia’s AI driven transformation, the intersection of AI & Public Service, Responsible AI policies, AI education.
Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Serbia
AI breakout rooms
10:50 AM
Topic 1: Practicing Trustworthy and Responsible AI
Topic 2: Design thinking and AI: Growth catalysts for your business
Topic 3: Quantumblack: How to scale, organize, and win in the artificial intelligence sector
Topic 4: Exploring AI use cases with EX3 Labs
Networking lunch
11:50-12:45 PM
Boxed lunches to move around while you enjoy engaging with our community.
AI Tech Challenge winners announced
12:45 PM
Expert AI panel
Navigating the AI Frontier
12:55 PM
Gain valuable insights from industry leaders on the latest advancements, ethical considerations, and potential societal impact of AI, as they discuss its revolutionary potential to shape industries and our world in the coming years.
AI startup
pitch session
Session 1
1:50 PM
Session 2
2:40 PM
Discover the best of 1871’s AI Cohort during the pitch showcase, featuring the winners of the AI Innovation Lab Pitch Competition. Get inspired as you hear how our founders are reshaping industries and driving innovation with their AI powered solutions.
AI startup alley
3:20 PM
Meet the cohort of startups from the AI innovation lab in this trade show-like experience deemed Startup Alley. Engage with passionate founders, explore their innovative technologies, and foster valuable connections with the founders shaping the future of your industry.
Keynote
4:00 PM
Scaling AI Infrastructure with Max Hjelm Hosted by Ernie Rogers
Closing remarks
4:50 PM
1871 sends everyone off with warm thanks for joining our celebration of AI innovation.
Happy hour
5:00 PM
Enjoy a wind-down from a full day of programming & content.