This free event was Sponsored by Daniel and Robyn Ives, Palantir Foundation for Defense Policy and International Affairs, and American Inference.
About the Event
On March 27, 2025, The Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day & Case Competition brought together students, faculty, staff, and industry leaders to explore the transformative impact of Generative AI in business education and beyond. Hosted at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, this event offered keynote addresses, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and an undergraduate case competition where student teams shared pitches for their AI-driven solutions to a real-world business case. Throughout the day, attendees gained insights from top industry experts such as:
The event culminated in the Undergraduate Student Case Competition, where teams pitched AI-driven business solutions to a panel of judges that included Palantir Chief Architect Akshay Krishnaswamy; Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities Daniel Ives, American Inference CEO Raymond Kusch, and our own Dean, Corey Phelps.
Event Schedule (March 27, 2025)
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 to 11:00 am | Registration | Atrium |
| 9:30 to 10:30 am | Exclusive Student Event Daniel Ives & Akshay Krishnaswamy (Invitation Only) |
Rogers Family Trading Room |
| 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Opening Keynotes & Lunch Speakers Daniel Ives & Akshay Krishnaswamy |
Atrium |
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1:15 to 2:00 pm |
AI is Here. Are You Ready? Daren CoudrietIn this presentation, Daren will provide foundational information on artificial intelligence, its various components, and applications where AI is currently being used and will likely be used in the near future. The objective is to lay a foundation for the remaining sessions of the day, while helping us to understand how broadly the technology will impact the way we live, learn, and work. |
Atrium |
| 1:30 to 2:00 pm | GenAI in Higher Ed Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)
Akhil Kumar & Carrie Marcinkevage |
Room 120 |
| 1:30 to 2:30 pm | Daniel Ives & Akshay Krishnaswamy | Rogers Family Trading Room |
| 1:30 to 2:30 pm | Smeal Student Panel | Struthers Auditorium (Room 110) |
| 2:10 to 2:55 pm | Beyond the Chatbot: Preparing for Work in the Age of AI. Raymond Kusch | Atrium |
| 2:10 to 2:55 pm | Smeal Faculty Panel | Room 122 |
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 to 5:00 pm | Undergraduate Student Case Competition Undergraduate students will compete in a Shark Tank-style challenge, pitching AI-driven business solutions to a panel of industry experts. |
Struthers Auditorium (Room 110) |
| 5:00 pm | Awards Ceremony First Place Team wins a $2500 scholarship. The runner-up team wins a $1000 scholarship. |
Struthers Auditorium (Room 110) |
Why Attend Next Year?
- Network with AI Experts: Meet industry leaders in A.I.-related fields.
- Explore AI Innovations: Learn how AI is transforming business education and industry applications.
- Cheer on Future Leaders: Support top student teams as they present groundbreaking AI solutions.
- Shape the Future: Be part of discussions that consider the impact and implications of AI beyond automation and into teaching, learning, and the future of business and industry.