Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leads AI panel at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub
Innovation forum explores technology’s transformative potential
The rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its significant opportunities for Ohio were the focus of a forum held at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub this month. Led by Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, the Ohio | AI Forum: Cincinnati was presented by OhioX and InnovateOhio.
Speaking to a capacity crowd, a forum of AI experts explored its capabilities and discussed how Ohio can prepare for a global innovation economy driven by the constantly evolving technology.
AI in education
Husted highlighted the potential of AI for today’s students. He noted that artificial intelligence could serve as a personal tutor, aiding students with tasks such as homework and concept clarification.
"This represents the most recent addition to the technological landscape," Husted said, acknowledging the evolution of technology through the years, from the internet to Wikipedia and now generative AI.
He emphasized that instead of eliminating jobs, AI has the potential to create new roles and equalize access to resources. Teaching Ohio students how to effectively utilize AI in various facets of their lives will help ensure they are well-equipped for the tech-driven landscape they'll encounter upon graduation, he said.
AI in business development
Mike Venerable, CEO of CincyTech, a corporate partner of the UC 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Olivia Bransford
Mike Venerable, CEO of CincyTech, a corporate partner of the UC 1819 Innovation Hub, highlighted Ohio's potential to lead the AI transformation because of the significant overlap between technology and business development. Of the 30 startup companies in CincyTech's current portfolio — valued at nearly $4 billion — "10 of these companies are AI-focused and AI-based," he said.
Forum panelists shared how businesses can use AI to help close the skills gap for employees, optimize staffing schedules and enhance content creation and operational efficiencies.
- Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted
- Mike Venerable: president and CEO at CincyTech
- Pete Blackshaw: president and CEO at Cintrifuse
- Milen Mahadaven: president and CEO at 84.51˚
- Jay Budzik: senior vice president at Fifth Third Bank
- Sarah Ackerman: information technology senior director and global privacy program leader at Procter & Gamble
- Chris Carper: director of customer success at Microsoft
- Sandy Steiger: senior director of advanced analytics and automation at Total Quality Logistics
- Glenn Platt: C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Network Technology & Management and professor at Miami University
- Christopher McGee: principal at KPMG
- Ali Minai: professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Cincinnati
- John Pestian: professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and biomedical informatics and director of computational medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
- Marc-Etienne Ouimette: global lead of AI policy at Amazon Web Services
- Aaron Chow: Voxel
- Katie Taylor: Narratize
- Sarah Sanders: Native.ai
AI in health care
John Pestian, MD, professor and director of computational medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, presented a video showing how algorithms already are assisting clinicians in identifying critical mental health issues such as depression and suicidal ideation. AI can detect the language of suicide, identifying keywords to help social workers at schools identify potentially at-risk teens.
AI in workforce development
Pete Blackshaw, CEO of Cintrifuse, expanded on AI's transformative potential, stating, "This isn't just the right topic at the right time; this is the defining topic of our era." Blackshaw urged participants to get ahead of this technology to ensure it augments rather than replaces the workforce.
Addressing concerns about job displacement due to AI, panelists acknowledged that this technology brings forth new challenges that require human ingenuity to navigate. Refining algorithms and comprehending their optimal applications remain pivotal tasks. Speakers also acknowledged AI's current limitations, including the potential for generating erroneous information and bias based on input data.
The forum highlighted AI's present and future potential while underscoring the importance of proactive adaptation and education. Speakers acknowledged AI as a transformative force, not solely a technological advancement, capable of propelling Ohio into a new era of innovation and leadership with appropriate guidance and utilization.
More coverage of the forum is available from WLWT.
Featured image at top: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted speaks at a forum held at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Olivia Bransford
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