Grand Valley brings AI, technology and innovation to forefront during Tech Week

A conversation between GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella and biologist Lee Hood headlines the events hosted by the university during this year’s Tech Week.

The six-day conference features events, discussions and showcases focused on technology, collaboration, education and economic development and  positioning Grand Rapids and West Michigan at the forefront of innovation.

Mantella and Hood, a pioneer in DNA sequencing and genomic technology,  will discuss how technology and artificial intelligence can help healthcare professionals develop predictive and preventive approaches to optimizing human health.

The discussion, titled “Is Your Body a Data Center? The Future of Human Health,” begins at 11 a.m. on September 17 at the DeVos Center on the City Campus. 

At the California Institute of Technology, Hood was instrumental in developing technologies that advanced DNA analysis. Most notably, his work on automated DNA sequencing helped make large-scale genomic research possible and contributed to the technological foundation of the Human Genome Project.

Other events hosted by Grand Valley this year include: 

September 15

• The Simulation Innovation Program — Get a close-up look at the technology transforming medical education and training from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health’s Simulation Center. Attendees can experience virtual reality and augmented reality applications, such as the Anatomage Table, a life-sized 3D visualization system that enables virtual dissection and detailed exploration of human anatomy.
• The Human-AI Polarity at the Point of Care — Students, educators and healthcare professionals are invited to join a conversation hosted by the Bonnie Wesorick Center for Healthcare Transformation and the Interprofessional Simulation Center. As the rapid deployment of AI ripples through the healthcare industry, how can professionals maintain the high level of human connection required for care? The panel discussion begins at 3 p.m. in Rooms 102/104 of the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.

September 16

• AI Futures in West Michigan: Talent, Research, and the GVSU-Van Andel Institute Partnership — The College of Computing hosts an all-day event, exploring how West Michigan can prepare for an AI-driven future. From 10 a.m.-noon in Rooms 102/104 of the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, a panel discussion will examine the skills employers will require of students in the future. At 12:30 p.m., two ventures between the College of Computing and the Van Andel Institute will be introduced: the launch of the AI Research and Innovation Institute and a Ph.D. collaboration.
• Stem Youth Coalition Roundtable: Connecting to Expand Impact — A roundtable discussion featuring nonprofit leaders, educators and community partners will explore STEM opportunities for the region’s youth. The College of Computing hosts the event and welcomes all to participate in the conversation on growing networks committed to STEM education. The event is 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the L. William Seidman Center on the City Campus. 
• Developing the Next Wave of West Michigan Entrepreneurs — The Padnos College of Engineering will unveil Blue Spark from 5-7 p.m. at Shape Corp. IDC, 227 Winter Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Blue Spark will provide a hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses to collaborate with GVSU faculty and students in developing new technologies and ideas. 
• GVSU & GR Chamber: AI & Predictive Intelligence in Action: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Center for Experiential Learning  and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce will host a Q&A session, answering questions on how predictive intelligence can provide value to businesses and higher education. The event begins at 9 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, 250 Monroe Avenue, Suite 150, Grand Rapids.

September 17

• Tech and You: Are You Using Technology, or is it Using You? — The GVSU Digital Literacy Initiative leads a two-hour event designed to help participants engage critically, safely and ethically with digital technologies. The event, hosted by the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, begins at 9 a.m. at the DeVos Center on the City Campus.

Confluence Festival Thought Series

• Future Ready: How Advanced Tech is Changing Higher Ed — Samah Mansour, director of the Cybersecurity Graduate Program, will participate on a panel, discussing how West Michigan’s higher education institutions are optimizing advanced technologies. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on September 17 at the Kendall College of Art and Design.
• Smart Medicine: Advancing Healthcare with AI — Kevin Maupin, assistant professor in the Department of Information Science & Technologies, joins a panel analyzing the intersection of artificial intelligence and the healthcare industry. The event begins at 9:15 a.m. on September 17 at the Kendall College of Art and Design.

For more information about Grand Valley’s Tech Week events, visit the Tech Week website.