More than 250 people celebrated emerging technology, particularly artificial intelligence, at the first Disrupt Up event hosted by RBTC in November.
This year’s dynamic lineup of speakers, workshops, and panelists shared use-cases surrounding emerging technologies with a focus on AI.
“The 2024 Disrupt Up AI conference was phenomenal,” said speaker Guy DeCorte. “The sessions were timely and informational and the setting in the Hotel Roanoke was conducive to learning and networking. I particularly enjoyed the side conversations which ranged from practical uses of AI, AI opportunities for business, artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI Safety, machine learning and even other topics such as mathematical optimization. There was a great mix of attendees from entrepreneurs to established companies to venture capital, hands on AI developers to businesses looking to deploy AI, students, professors, and citizen scientists. I am looking forward to next year’s conference.”
The conference offered three tracks: biotechnology, technology and a track for startups making it easy for participants to select activities pertinent to their work in the innovation ecosystem. Participants represented 86 companies, 14 institutions of K-12 & higher education, and 7 municipalities.
In a post-event survey, conference attendees described the experience as “welcoming and approachable,” and “energizing,” and reported a variety of highlights underscoring the customizable nature of the programing.
“The conference was a huge success,” said RBTC Director Taylor Spellman. “RBTC created a space to spark fresh conversation about AI adoption for higher ed institutions, startups and technology companies of all ages and stages. Over 50 speakers from North America shared their knowledge across a spectrum of technology and life science industries and the new connections that formed as a result were just what we hoped for. We are delighted with this inaugural experience and already looking forward to next year.”
In its first year, Disrupt Up conference has established itself as a premiere opportunity for thought leaders, technical professionals, disruptors, fire starters and innovators to stay on the cutting edge of emerging technologies. The event was made possible by the support of the City or Roanoke and Carilion Clinic.
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