(L-r): Lucas College and Graduate School of Business Dean, Rangapriya Kannan; SJSU Business Professor, Dr. Anu Basu; and Avatara AI Founder, Vasudha Paul (San Jose State University).

 

San Jose State University hosted a groundbreaking conference on “Responsible Innovation in AI” on Nov. 15, uniting an unparalleled group of industry leaders, venture capitalists, and trailblazing innovators. The summit at the SJSU Student Union Theater showcased leaders shaping the future of ethical AI development and deployment.

Under the expert guidance of Professor Anuradha Basu, Entrepreneurship in SJSU’s Lucas College & Graduate School of Business, and Vasudha Badri-Paul, Founder of Avatara AI, the event hosted deep insights into various facets of AI innovation.

Lakshmi Shankar, VC at Together Fund, set the tone with a comprehensive overview of “AI: Today, Tomorrow, and the Future,” diving into the trajectory of AI development. 

Rama Akkiraju, VP of AI at Nvidia, shared invaluable insights on implementing Generative AI solutions in enterprise environments. 

Pankaj Kedia, Founder of 2468 Ventures, delved into AI’s revolutionary influence on the healthcare sector.

Adding to the dynamic lineup, Trevor Basil, SJSU AI Fellow, shed light on AI’s pressing challenges for education and workforce development.

Sohrab Modi, SVP of AI at DreamHammer, concluded keynote sessions with insights into location intelligence and building a sustainable future.

Keynotes were followed by panel sessions and special features.

Chaired by Ashish Bansal, founder of StarSpark.ai, the ‘AI in Education’ track spotlighted Muktha Ananda, Google’s Director of Learning Platforms, who discussed AI’s transformative role in education. An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Matt Tower of Whiteboard Advisors, brought together experts, including Madhu Vohra (dabbL Inc.), Gary Richman (SJSU), and Gurmeet Naroola (Copal.ai), to explore the dynamic intersection of AI and innovative education.

Co-chaired by Kumar Goel and Kayton Bhatia, the ‘Healthcare Innovation’ track showcased two keynotes. Dr. Prasun Mishra, Founding Director of Agility Pharmaceuticals, delivered an insightful talk on healthcare transformation, while Presidential Innovation Fellow Vishal Dubey highlighted the role of AI in driving social good within healthcare. The session culminated in an impactful panel featuring industry leaders Ritwik Tewari (Aledade), Madhur Pande (formerly of Optum Health), and Doc Vaidyanathan (IBM), who explored the potential transformation of healthcare.

SJ Mayor Matt Mahan speaking at the event.

Next, an Enterprise AI panel, moderated by Ashmeet Sidana of Engineering Capital. The panel brought together industry leaders Nazneen Rajani (Collinear.ai), Binny Gill (Kognitos.com), and Christopher McKinnon (Morrison Foerster), who shared  practical strategies for real-world AI implementation.

The cherry on top of was a special address made by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on the role of San Jose as a global tech hub for AI innovation. Finally, Dean Priya Kannan and Professor Anu Basu launched their “TechExcellence” video book. 

This was a unique platform for professionals, students, and academics to engage with industry AI leaders shaping the future. Convening an extraordinary roster of experts, the event offered invaluable perspectives on the ethical and practical implementation of AI, setting the stage for responsible innovation and an impactful tech future.