Memorable Keynotes & Panels

  • Supply Chain Management: Integrating AI, Optimization, and Human Insights for People, Profit and Planet

    Anne Robinson, Kinaxis

    In the ever-evolving landscape of supply chain management, decisions made that are responsive, relevant, and responsible have become paramount. Relevant responses must be timely and intelligent, calling for maturation in decision-making, powered by AI, optimization, and human insights. This keynote at the 2023 DSI Annual Conference provides real-world examples drawing upon industry expertise to illustrate how to employ these strategies to inspire and guide organizations to navigate today’s supply chain challenges with confidence and purpose.

    November 19, 2023

    View Video
  • AI-Assisted Large-Scale Decision Making for Societal and Technological Challenges

    Pascal Van Hentenryck, Georgia Institute of Technology

    The fusion of machine learning and optimization has the potential to achieve breakthroughs in decision making that the two technologies cannot accomplish independently. This keynote at the 2023 DSI Annual Conference reviews a number of research avenues in AI-Assisted Decision Making, including the concept of optimization proxies and end-to-end learning and optimization. The benefits of these new scientific advances are demonstrated on a number of fundamental societal challenges in energy, supply chains and manufacturing, and transportation.

    November 18, 2023

    View Video
  • AI & Responsible AI in Practice

    This panel at the 2023 DSI Annual Conference consisted of industry experts Anne Robinson, Kinaxis; Pascal Van Hentenryck, Georgia Institute of Technology;  Vedat Akgun, Teradata; and Ulas Cakmak, Cognira. They discuss how AI is used in industry applications, how to make AI more “responsible”, challenges and opportunities, including perspectives from various sectors.

    November 19, 2023

    View Video
  • Decision Making In NASA's Human Spaceflight Mission Control
    “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” That understatement, received by NASA’s Johnson Space Center Mission Control in 1970, triggered four days of intensive activity which would eventually become an enduring case study of problem solving under pressure. Long before agility was a business word, Johnson’s Space Center has been a hub of rapid decision making in high-stakes environments. Hear from NASA Flight Director Scott Stover and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei, as they share stories and insight on NASA’s space program and decision-making in these critical times. Moderator is Natalie Simpson.
    November, 2022
    View Video
  • Enterprise Innovation in the Face of Market Volatility

    “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” – Steve Jobs. Christian Thisgaard shares the insights and trends he sees firsthand at SAP and with its global partners. The world is more gloomy and uncertain and there is good reason to worry. If a downturn should happen, however it’s also where new winners tend to emerge. Those winning enterprises saw opportunity more than risk. Mr. Thisgaard shares insights to what enterprises are prioritizing in times of market volatility and what academia can do to help.

    November, 2022

    View Video
  • Fireside Chat: Creating a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Society: A Corporate Viewpoint

    This keynote at the 2021 DSI Annual Conference presented industry perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion in a town hall format. The speakers focused on unique DEI challenges facing the society and businesses. Drawing from their collective experience in pursuit of DEI in technology industry and the broader community, the keynote speakers discussed ideas pertaining to evidence-based DEI by building a business case and  implications for how academia and industry can collectively think about DEI.

    Speakers Danielle Brown, Chief People Officer and Bernard Coleman, Chief Diversity Officer and Head of Employee Engagement with GUSTO, join moderator Sanjay Gupta.

    View Video
  • Reimagining Business with AI
    The 2020 DSI Annual Conference was proud to have Sudhi Ranjan Sinha, a business and technology leader, as one of its keynotes. His keynote, titled “Reimagining Business with AI,” fit well into the conference theme of Decision Sciences in the Age of Connectivity.
     
    Sinha shares the following regarding his presentation: “We live in the algorithmic age today where AI impacts nearly all aspects of our lives and work. AI has existed as a discipline for more than 60 years. Its recent rejuvenation is driven by the advances in digital capabilities around IoT, big data management, cloud computing, and communication technologies. As per a recent McKinsey study, by the end of 2030, the impact of AI is expected to be about $13 trillion with over 70% of companies impacted by AI. While AI brings a lot of new possibilities, it also brings new problems because businesses have to now reinvent themselves in this new world order. The keynote address will explore this topic and its implications for academia. Topics to be covered in the keynote address: Dawn of the algorithmic age Reimagining businesses with AI and digital technologies The evolving intelligent society The emerging research challenges Renewed role of academia in lifelong learning in decision sciences
     
    Sudhi is a business and technology leader with over 22 years of experience. He presently serves on the Boards of several digital start-ups. Previously he was the VP and GM of Digital Solutions for Johnson Controls (JCI) building new data-enabled businesses. Prior to working for JCI, Sudhi spent 11 years with Tata Consultancy Services in various leadership roles. Sudhi has several granted and pending patents in smart building technologies and has published two books on big data and IoT. Sudhi has worked in the US, Europe, and Asia; he currently lives in Mumbai, India and holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Jadavpur University, India.
    Moderators are Carmela di Mauro and Sriram Narayanan
    View Video