June Insights Series: The Evolution of Technology

June 27, 2024 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (MDT)

Description

Registration is now closed for this event. If you are interested in attending, please email cori@coloradotechnology.org.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science | 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205 

Join us at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for an exploration of the evolution of technology. With the help of our expert panel of speakers, we’ll dive deep into the most recent tech trends that are revolutionizing industries, reshaping our daily lives, and pushing the boundaries of what was once thought impossible.

Colorado is fortunate to be at the forefront of several emerging technologies and we’ll be joined by leaders in both artificial intelligence and quantum computing. We’ll set the stage with a discussion on artificial intelligence - from its early stages to its current role as a driving force behind innovation, we’ll explore the future of industries that embrace this technology. Then, we’ll move to the mind-bending potential of quantum computing. Together we’ll discuss the ways that quantum promises to unlock a new era of innovation and discovery. We’ll also touch on the potential for the Colorado tech industry as our state was designated an official technology and innovation hub for the quantum industry.  

Spend the morning in an iconic Colorado venue, discussing the evolution of technology and what future innovations could mean for the industry in our state. Thanks to our sponsor, EPAM, for their support of this event.

Moderator:

Tamara Chuang, Writer, The Colorado Sun

Tamara Chuang writes about Colorado technology and the local economy for The Colorado Sun, which she cofounded in 2018 with a mission to make sure quality local journalism is a sustainable business. She's covered technology since the dot com bubble in the late 1990s and written stories about the start of Wi-Fi, the first iPhone and the launch of consumer gigabit internet. More recently, she's reported on Colorado's emergence as a quantum technology hub, the state's new artificial intelligence law as well as state cybersecurity and digital privacy policies. Prior to the Colorado Sun, she worked as a technology reporter at The Denver Post and The Orange County Register and other news sites.

Keynote Speakers:

Ethan Matyas, SVP, Head of North America Delivery, EPAM Systems

Ethan Matyas is responsible for Delivery for EPAM’s North American customers. Today, over 24,000 EPAMers are deployed in more than 50 countries for this portfolio delivering services ranging from Product Engineering, Data, AI, Cloud, SalesForce, Digital and more. Ethan spends his time working with customers on new initiatives along with troubleshooting issues. Ethan is based in Boulder, CO with his family but travels constantly to work with customers and teams.

Zachary Yerushalmi, Co-founder & CEO, Elevate Quantum

Zach is Co-founder and CEO of Elevate Quantum. Previously a founding senior investor and EIR at Oxford Sciences Innovation, a >$1BN joint venture with Oxford University. He founded and helped run 6 companies at the intersection of life and physical sciences with an aggregate value of >$1bn.

Panel Speakers:

Justin Ging, Chief Product Officer, Atom Computing

Justin Ging is the Chief Product Officer at Atom Computing, where he is driving commercialization of quantum computers based on atomic arrays of neutral atoms. 

Prior to joining, Justin was the Chief Commercial Officer for Honeywell Quantum Solutions, where he led marketing and business development activities. Justin previously led Marketing teams at Samsung, Aptina Imaging, and Analog Devices, driving development and adoption of cutting-edge semiconductor products. Justin has also held Engineering roles at Bell Labs and Lockheed Martin. 

Justin holds multiple degrees from MIT including an MBA, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a Master’s degree in Materials Science.

Xi Palazzolo, Technical Co-Founder, Sunrise AI

Based in Boulder, CO, Xi Palazzolo is a distinguished AI/ML engineer and technical leader with a decade-long career. Her vast expertise covers areas like LLMs, Natural Language Processing, Data Science, Statistics, and IoT, amongst others. Xi's impressive record includes the development of four patented AI solutions, the establishment of the first-generation energy optimization ML models at GlacierGrid, leading to a tenfold ARR increase to $10M, and significant contributions to startups showcasing her adaptability and leadership. She has also made remarkable technical achievements in her role at Slalom Consulting, leading to substantial cost savings. Additionally, Xi led product development initiatives at Alteryx, increasing the company's revenue by $3M ARR. Her academic background with a Master of Science degree from Clemson University complements her professional experience, making her an invaluable asset in leading cross-functional teams and driving business growth through AI/ML technologies.

Massimo Ruzzene, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation & Dean of the Institutes, University of Colorado Boulder

Massimo Ruzzene became vice chancellor for Research and Innovation and dean of the institutes in March 2023. Ruzzene had served as the acting vice chancellor and dean since June 2022. Previously, Ruzzene was associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder.

Ruzzene is the Slade Professor of Mechanical Engineering and holds a joint appointment in the Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department. He joined CU Boulder in the summer of 2019, after serving as the Pratt and Whitney Professor in the Schools of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Ruzzene received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino (Italy) in 1999 and is author of 2 books, more than 200 journal papers and 280 conference papers. Most of his current and past research work has focused on solid mechanics, structural dynamics and wave propagation with application to structural health monitoring, metamaterials, and vibration and noise control.

Ruzzene has participated as a PI or co-PI in various research projects funded by government agencies such as the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Army Research Office (ARO), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), NASA, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, DARPA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as companies such as Boeing, Eurocopter, Raytheon, Corning and TRW. 

Ruzzene is a Fellow of ASME and SES, an Associate Fellow of AIAA, and a member of AHS, and ASA. He served as Program Director for the Dynamics, Control and System Diagnostics Program of CMMI at the National Science Foundation between 2014 and 2016. When he isn’t working, Massimo can often be found exploring local trails and the mountains surrounding Boulder—as an avid downhill skier in the winter and as a hiker and mountain biker in the summer. He enjoys sharing these activities with his two sons, Samuel and Luca, and his wife Elizabeth.

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