SBDC Summit 2025
Innovation in AI, Healthcare, & Business
"Bill Smith began his current role as State of Alaska Chief Information Officer in November 2019. In this position he is responsible for leading the Office of information Technology, managing all enterprise information technology services and related resources within the executive branch of the State, and providing strategic oversight of the State enterprise systems and infrastructure.
Shortly after assuming this position, Bill played a key role in technology related response to the global pandemic. During his tenure, the State of Alaska executive branch has made significant strides in enabling secure remote access for employees, drastically reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, actively combating the rapid increase in threat activity, and attacking technical debt within the enterprise.
Bill has over 30 years of experience leading teams of all sizes in both the public and private sectors. During his successful career in the United States Army, he was a lead participant in several high-level Headquarters, Department of the Army projects involving operational forecasting and national force structure. Additionally, he was called upon to direct combat military operations and develop an innovative aviation organization and training program to meet critical Army intelligence collection requirements.
After retiring from the Army, Bill chose to stay in Alaska and entered the private sector with a major Alaska based broadband and communications provider. Over the course of several years, he served in senior product, project and program management roles covering the spectrum of technology solutions provided to business, consumer, and government agencies in Alaska. In his role as the Senior Manager of Customer Support, Bill redesigned the company’s service assurance manager program to provide improved and deeply engaged
customer support to strategic partners.
Bill and his wife Jo have three children. Following a military career taking them around the globe, they have enjoyed raising their family and making their home in the Last Frontier."
"Bill Smith began his current role as State of Alaska Chief Information Officer in November 2019. In this position he is responsible for leading the Office of information Technology, managing all enterprise information technology services and related resources within the executive branch of the State, and providing strategic oversight of the State enterprise systems and infrastructure.
Shortly after assuming this position, Bill played a key role in technology related response to the global pandemic. During his tenure, the State of Alaska executive branch has made significant strides in enabling secure remote access for employees, drastically reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, actively combating the rapid increase in threat activity, and attacking technical debt within the enterprise.
Bill has over 30 years of experience leading teams of all sizes in both the public and private sectors. During his successful career in the United States Army, he was a lead participant in several high-level Headquarters, Department of the Army projects involving operational forecasting and national force structure. Additionally, he was called upon to direct combat military operations and develop an innovative aviation organization and training program to meet critical Army intelligence collection requirements.
After retiring from the Army, Bill chose to stay in Alaska and entered the private sector with a major Alaska based broadband and communications provider. Over the course of several years, he served in senior product, project and program management roles covering the spectrum of technology solutions provided to business, consumer, and government agencies in Alaska. In his role as the Senior Manager of Customer Support, Bill redesigned the company’s service assurance manager program to provide improved and deeply engaged
customer support to strategic partners.
Bill and his wife Jo have three children. Following a military career taking them around the globe, they have enjoyed raising their family and making their home in the Last Frontier."
Shawn Greenway is the Co-founder of FormWise. He has a passion for leveraging SaaS solutions and strategic business development to drive growth. With a background in sales of more than 20 years and extensive experience leading a marketing agency, Shawn specializes in optimizing lead generation processes for companies of all sizes. Shawn has empowered countless entrepreneurs to streamline their sales pipelines and maximize productivity. His expertise and commitment to continuous improvement make him a sought-after speaker, offering valuable insights on business development, marketing strategy, and the power of automation & AI in today's digital landscape.
Shawn Greenway is the Co-founder of FormWise. He has a passion for leveraging SaaS solutions and strategic business development to drive growth. With a background in sales of more than 20 years and extensive experience leading a marketing agency, Shawn specializes in optimizing lead generation processes for companies of all sizes. Shawn has empowered countless entrepreneurs to streamline their sales pipelines and maximize productivity. His expertise and commitment to continuous improvement make him a sought-after speaker, offering valuable insights on business development, marketing strategy, and the power of automation & AI in today's digital landscape.
Javier is a seasoned entrepreneur and Co-Founder of FormWise, with a wealth of experience in directly collaborating with hundreds of small businesses and serving thousands of users in an investor-backed AI startup. His deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by small businesses, coupled with his expertise in harnessing the power of AI technology, has enabled him to envision a platform that democratizes AI for anyone with no code. Javier's passion for innovation and dedication to empowering businesses through technology make him an interesting speaker, offering valuable insights into the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and business development.
Javier is a seasoned entrepreneur and Co-Founder of FormWise, with a wealth of experience in directly collaborating with hundreds of small businesses and serving thousands of users in an investor-backed AI startup. His deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by small businesses, coupled with his expertise in harnessing the power of AI technology, has enabled him to envision a platform that democratizes AI for anyone with no code. Javier's passion for innovation and dedication to empowering businesses through technology make him an interesting speaker, offering valuable insights into the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and business development.
Julie Decker, PhD, is the Director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, which is a leading center for scholarship, engagement, and investigation of Alaska and the North. Decker’s career has been focused on the people and environment of Northern places and building projects and initiatives that are in service to local and global communities. Before becoming Director/CEO, Decker served as the Museum’s Chief Curator. She has a doctorate in art history, a master’s degree in arts administration, and bachelors degrees in fine arts and journalism. She has curated and designed numerous exhibitions, taught classes, and authored and edited numerous publications on subjects ranging from contemporary art and architecture of the North, to many aspects of the Arctic environment and histories.
Julie Decker, PhD, is the Director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, which is a leading center for scholarship, engagement, and investigation of Alaska and the North. Decker’s career has been focused on the people and environment of Northern places and building projects and initiatives that are in service to local and global communities. Before becoming Director/CEO, Decker served as the Museum’s Chief Curator. She has a doctorate in art history, a master’s degree in arts administration, and bachelors degrees in fine arts and journalism. She has curated and designed numerous exhibitions, taught classes, and authored and edited numerous publications on subjects ranging from contemporary art and architecture of the North, to many aspects of the Arctic environment and histories.
For over 15 years, our CMO Jennifer Christensen is a digital marketing expert in Alaska and nationwide. Her ability to make connections between concepts, ideas, and trends alongside her award-winning sales and marketing expertise has presented opportunities for local and national speaking engagements – and has propelled Beacon from the local level to working nationwide, predominantly in the fields of mental health and functional medicine.
In 2012, Jennifer joined forces with Adrienne Wilkerson of Beacon Publishing + Design to form Beacon Media + Marketing with a vision to help small businesses thrive. Together, they honed the Beacon vision and decided to prioritize people over profit, or what they both like to call, profit with a purpose.
Jennifer’s comprehensive knowledge includes all aspects of social media, web, email, online advertising, AI tools, and media buying plans. As a leader of our hybrid company, her contagious positive energy and charming smile permeate our homes and offices every single day.
Jennifer has a Certificate in Online Marketing and Social Media from the University of San Francisco. She was also the first Alaskan to be Inbound Marketing Certified. Alongside Adrienne, she was jointly recognized as the Marketing Visionary of the Year by the American Marketing Association of Alaska. In addition, recently she was named Marketer of the Year by AMA Alaska and together with CEO Adrienne Wilkerson landed Beacon Media + Marketing on the INC 5000 list in 2023, won the Communicator Award for UX Structure & Navigation for the Ellie Mental Health website, and recently was honored as a Clutch Champion in the Fall of 2023.
Jennifer is passionate about fitness, learning about new and emerging AI tools, her volunteer work, and she is a proud wife and mother – having been married to her husband for over 30 years and counting. She currently attends the Harvard University Extension Program and is finishing her Master’s Degree. Jennifer is fulfilled by serving her family and her community at large and uplifting others and currently serves on the Board of the Downtown Soup Kitchen, and the Hope Center.
For over 15 years, our CMO Jennifer Christensen is a digital marketing expert in Alaska and nationwide. Her ability to make connections between concepts, ideas, and trends alongside her award-winning sales and marketing expertise has presented opportunities for local and national speaking engagements – and has propelled Beacon from the local level to working nationwide, predominantly in the fields of mental health and functional medicine.
In 2012, Jennifer joined forces with Adrienne Wilkerson of Beacon Publishing + Design to form Beacon Media + Marketing with a vision to help small businesses thrive. Together, they honed the Beacon vision and decided to prioritize people over profit, or what they both like to call, profit with a purpose.
Jennifer’s comprehensive knowledge includes all aspects of social media, web, email, online advertising, AI tools, and media buying plans. As a leader of our hybrid company, her contagious positive energy and charming smile permeate our homes and offices every single day.
Jennifer has a Certificate in Online Marketing and Social Media from the University of San Francisco. She was also the first Alaskan to be Inbound Marketing Certified. Alongside Adrienne, she was jointly recognized as the Marketing Visionary of the Year by the American Marketing Association of Alaska. In addition, recently she was named Marketer of the Year by AMA Alaska and together with CEO Adrienne Wilkerson landed Beacon Media + Marketing on the INC 5000 list in 2023, won the Communicator Award for UX Structure & Navigation for the Ellie Mental Health website, and recently was honored as a Clutch Champion in the Fall of 2023.
Jennifer is passionate about fitness, learning about new and emerging AI tools, her volunteer work, and she is a proud wife and mother – having been married to her husband for over 30 years and counting. She currently attends the Harvard University Extension Program and is finishing her Master’s Degree. Jennifer is fulfilled by serving her family and her community at large and uplifting others and currently serves on the Board of the Downtown Soup Kitchen, and the Hope Center.
Dayne Broderson is a computer and information research scientist and program manager. He is the project director of two capacity-building programs at ACEP: the Alaska Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization (ARCTIC) program and the Modeling of Converter Dominated Power System (CDPS) project. He is on the Teaching Through Technology (T3) alliance leadership team and is the chief technologist for the UAF Alaska T3 program.
Broderson holds a B.S. in computer science from UAF. With 20 years of experience in research and operational IT & Data Systems for academic, federal, state, and local government organizations, he has performed general and technical management, program development, and data and IT systems development at UAF.
Dayne Broderson is a computer and information research scientist and program manager. He is the project director of two capacity-building programs at ACEP: the Alaska Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization (ARCTIC) program and the Modeling of Converter Dominated Power System (CDPS) project. He is on the Teaching Through Technology (T3) alliance leadership team and is the chief technologist for the UAF Alaska T3 program.
Broderson holds a B.S. in computer science from UAF. With 20 years of experience in research and operational IT & Data Systems for academic, federal, state, and local government organizations, he has performed general and technical management, program development, and data and IT systems development at UAF.
Lanáat yóo x‘át duwasáakw
Yéil náa áyá x‘át
Lukaax.ádi x‘át sitee
Yéil hít áyá x‘át
Shanguqueidí yadí áyá x‘át
Jilkaat dax áyá x‘át
I am Rico Lanaat Worl
I am of the raven moiety
I am from the Lukaax.ádí clan
And from the raven house
From the Chilkat Kwaan
I am from my fathers people, the Shanguqeidí
I am from 10 thousand years of a people’s relationship to this land
I am from at least 4 thousand years of a people’s study in a specific design style
I am from 525 year of colonization
And more importantly, I am from 525 years of survivance
I am from the Tlingit People and the Athabascan people
I am from the dedication of the generations before me as they worked to pass the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act
I am from a family of strong loving people.
I am from sega genesis and super nintendo with my cousins
And from star trek and star wars with my homework
and I’m from the 90’s with my homies
from the rise of the age of the internet.
I am from university of pennsylvania department of Anthropology class of 2008
I am from urban exploration
I’m from hometown Downtown
I am from pigment and silver
I am from digital vector points.
Where I am from has brought me to 3 major goals that all my work addresses: Intra-Community
Strength, Inter-Community Connection, and Cultural Diplomacy.
Intra-Community strength - Trickster Company happened when I painted my own longboard with
my clan crest. To represent. I made one for my cousin and then for his cousin. It was clear
Native people were drawn to items that are symbols of both their modern daily identity mixed
with representing their indigenous identity. I create to provide symbols for cultural pride. The
playing cards were a response to seeing so much “native art” sold to tourists with little to more
likely no return to the communities that spent thousands of years developing formline. I create to
bring home a fraction of that market share. Survivance is a term coined by Anishinaabe cultural
theorist Gerald Viznor. Survivance is more than mere survival, its means to tell of an active
presence and a rich faceted continuance.
Inter-Community connection - Cross cultural understanding and empathy is vital to our diverse
community. And the future is diverse, so it’s urgent we all have strong bridges for sharing our
social capital. I often design with the goal that the things I make can be enjoyed by anyone,
giving anyone the opportunity to appreciate NWC art style without appropriating it.
Cultural Diplomacy - Having the opportunity to be visible, I also have the responsibility to
represent. With the opportunity of a platform I hope to educate those I reach about the richness
our culture has to offer.
Creativity is really both the means for social opportunities as well as the product.
Lanáat yóo x‘át duwasáakw
Yéil náa áyá x‘át
Lukaax.ádi x‘át sitee
Yéil hít áyá x‘át
Shanguqueidí yadí áyá x‘át
Jilkaat dax áyá x‘át
I am Rico Lanaat Worl
I am of the raven moiety
I am from the Lukaax.ádí clan
And from the raven house
From the Chilkat Kwaan
I am from my fathers people, the Shanguqeidí
I am from 10 thousand years of a people’s relationship to this land
I am from at least 4 thousand years of a people’s study in a specific design style
I am from 525 year of colonization
And more importantly, I am from 525 years of survivance
I am from the Tlingit People and the Athabascan people
I am from the dedication of the generations before me as they worked to pass the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act
I am from a family of strong loving people.
I am from sega genesis and super nintendo with my cousins
And from star trek and star wars with my homework
and I’m from the 90’s with my homies
from the rise of the age of the internet.
I am from university of pennsylvania department of Anthropology class of 2008
I am from urban exploration
I’m from hometown Downtown
I am from pigment and silver
I am from digital vector points.
Where I am from has brought me to 3 major goals that all my work addresses: Intra-Community
Strength, Inter-Community Connection, and Cultural Diplomacy.
Intra-Community strength - Trickster Company happened when I painted my own longboard with
my clan crest. To represent. I made one for my cousin and then for his cousin. It was clear
Native people were drawn to items that are symbols of both their modern daily identity mixed
with representing their indigenous identity. I create to provide symbols for cultural pride. The
playing cards were a response to seeing so much “native art” sold to tourists with little to more
likely no return to the communities that spent thousands of years developing formline. I create to
bring home a fraction of that market share. Survivance is a term coined by Anishinaabe cultural
theorist Gerald Viznor. Survivance is more than mere survival, its means to tell of an active
presence and a rich faceted continuance.
Inter-Community connection - Cross cultural understanding and empathy is vital to our diverse
community. And the future is diverse, so it’s urgent we all have strong bridges for sharing our
social capital. I often design with the goal that the things I make can be enjoyed by anyone,
giving anyone the opportunity to appreciate NWC art style without appropriating it.
Cultural Diplomacy - Having the opportunity to be visible, I also have the responsibility to
represent. With the opportunity of a platform I hope to educate those I reach about the richness
our culture has to offer.
Creativity is really both the means for social opportunities as well as the product.
Lauren Decker, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at PolArctic, holds a Masters in Science (MS) in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and has over a decade of scientific research, modeling, and data analysis experience. Lauren is the Lead Scientist and responsible for PolArctic's Project Management Division and oversight of contracts. She is Yup’ik, born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska.
PolArctic is an oceanographic, and data science company with a focus on creating tailored products of the Arctic. We are identifying and creating solutions to business and policy questions about the Arctic through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. This allows our customers the ability to confidently plan future Arctic maritime activities.
Lauren Decker, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at PolArctic, holds a Masters in Science (MS) in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and has over a decade of scientific research, modeling, and data analysis experience. Lauren is the Lead Scientist and responsible for PolArctic's Project Management Division and oversight of contracts. She is Yup’ik, born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska.
PolArctic is an oceanographic, and data science company with a focus on creating tailored products of the Arctic. We are identifying and creating solutions to business and policy questions about the Arctic through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. This allows our customers the ability to confidently plan future Arctic maritime activities.
Meredith Noble is one of Alaska’s best-kept secret success stories for startup entrepreneurs. She co-founded Learn Grant Writing, a 7-figure online membership for those building a career in grant writing and is leading AI innovation for grant writers. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Business Insider, and other top publications. When not being Chief Grant Writing Unicorn, Meredith can now be found adventuring with her family or reading.
Meredith Noble is one of Alaska’s best-kept secret success stories for startup entrepreneurs. She co-founded Learn Grant Writing, a 7-figure online membership for those building a career in grant writing and is leading AI innovation for grant writers. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Business Insider, and other top publications. When not being Chief Grant Writing Unicorn, Meredith can now be found adventuring with her family or reading.
2024 Schedule of Events
Join us as we explore the future of AI in Alaskan business, culture, education, and government.
- SBDC Summit 04 March 2024
- Main Hall
- Business Track
- Culture Track
- Education Track
- Government Track
Welcome to the Alaska SBDC Summit: Exploring Artificial Intelligence! Please plan to check in in the lobby located on the ground-level floor of the Captain Cook Hotel.
Kick off the SBDC Summit with Jon Bittner, Alaska SBDC State Director and Master of Ceremonies, enjoy remarks from UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell, and then dive into growth strategies with founders Shawn Greenway and Javier Velazquez, whose company Formwise is reshaping the future!
Get ready for a thought-provoking luncheon keynote like no other!
Join Master of Ceremonies Jon Bittner, Alaska SBDC State Director, as he hosts a captivating debate with the UAA Seawolf Debate Team on the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence development and deployment.
Judges: Christine Resler, CEO, AES, and Christi Bell, Executive Director, UAA BEI
Debate topic: The potential risks posed by the development and deployment of AI outweigh the potential benefits
With the potential for great rewards and significant societal implications, this session will ignite insightful discussions and challenge your perspective. Take advantage of this captivating and engaging debate!
Join us as we reflect on the conversations surrounding AI and its impact and implications on Alaskan business, culture, education, and government.
Keynote: David Reeser, Founder, OpiAID
Closing Remarks: Jon Bittner, State Director, Alaska SBDC
Panelists will share insights, best practices, and real-world examples of how AI technologies can empower small business owners to streamline processes, make data-driven decisions, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. The panel also addresses potential challenges, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for integrating AI into small business operations while maximizing impact and value.
Moderator: Kristen Fowler Garland, CEO, Tonbo
- Meredith Noble, Co-Founder, LearnGrantWriting.com
- Justin Milette, Realtor/Founder, Aspire Realty Group
- Kyle Easterly, Chief Technology Officer, Pango Technology
Jennifer Christensen will provide actionable insights and information on how to vet the most effective AI marketing tools that you can utilize in your business or agency today. She will provide a list of over 50 AI tools that Beacon Media + Marketing has vetted and share the top 7 in more depth and detail.
Introduction by Harley Tennant, Alaska SBDC Communications Manager.
- Jennifer Christensen, Co-Founder + CMO, Beacon Media + Marketing
Learn how to create new tools powered by artificial intelligence without formal technical knowledge and how to prototype the dreams that may change your organization!
Introduction: Tyler Arnold, TREND Program Director and SSBCI Equity Director, Alaska SBDC
- Shawn Greenway, Co-Founder, Formwise
- Javier Velazquez, Co-Founder, Formwise
How Alaska SBDC Leads the Charge in AI-Driven Solutions & Strategies
Discover the cutting-edge approach of Alaska’s SBDC in harnessing AI for business innovation. Led by Anchorage Center Director Carlos Machuca MBA and Rural Program Director Ian Grant, this presentation offers deep dives into overcoming business challenges through AI technologies, including GPTs and chatbots. Uncover Alaska’s blueprint for transforming statewide needs into strengths, offering both short-term solutions and long-term strategies. Join us to gain actionable insights that will empower your business and contribute to Alaska’s economic growth. Step into the future with guidance that sets your company apart.
Introduction: Kendra Conroy, Alaska SBDC Associate State Director
Carlos Machuca, Alaska SBDC Anchorage Center Director
Ian Grant, Alaska SBDC Rural Program Director
Thinking aloud about AI and art, artists, museums, and creativity. Looking at ways artists are employing artificial intelligence as a tool and ways they worry about what’s next. A presentation that doesn’t provide the answers but looks at the landscape.
Introduction: Tim Pearson, Professional Coach, Pearson Consulting
- Julie Decker, Director of the Anchorage Museum
Panelists will share insights, experiences, and diverse perspectives on how artists can leverage AI to push the boundaries of creativity, experiment with new mediums, and engage with audiences in novel ways. The panel also delves into ethical considerations, challenges, and the evolving relationship between human intuition and machine intelligence in the realm of artistic creation.
Moderator: Kris Swanson, Photographer
- Rico Worl, Founder, Trickster Company
- Nathan Shafer, Artist
- Joel Loosli, Artist and Owner, AK Clothing Co.
- Brooke Hartman, Author of The Littlest Airplane
Panelists share insights into how AI technologies are reshaping their respective industries, from performance and storytelling in film and voice acting to optimizing design processes and creating immersive environments.
They critically examine potential impacts such as job displacement, loss of creative autonomy, and ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content, fostering a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between human creativity, technological innovation, and the future of entertainment and design.
Moderator: P. Shane Mitchell, Artistic Director, TBA Theatre
- Katie Wallack, Contract Education Strategist, SAG-AFTRA
- Michelle Klouda, Managing Principal, RIM Architects
- Heather Masters, Voice Actor, Five Nights at Freddy’s
- Erin Hamilton, Owner, Erin Hamilton Design
- Paul Linford, Composer
Join us to discuss the evolving strategies, tools, and ethical considerations necessary for navigating the intersection of AI and storytelling. Michelle Egan joins Adelyn Baxter, Nat Herz, and Vicky Ho to examine how AI is reshaping content creation, dissemination, audience engagement, and media consumption patterns.
Additionally, they critically assess the proliferation of fake news, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and the erosion of traditional editorial standards, emphasizing the need for responsible AI usage and human oversight to mitigate these challenges and preserve the integrity of PR and journalism.
- Michelle Egan, Chief Communications Officer, Alyeska Pipeline Company
- Adelyn Baxter, Audience Engagement Editor, KTOO
- Vicky Ho, Managing Editor, Anchorage Daily News
- Nathaniel Herz, Journalist, Northern Journal
Panelists will explore the evolving role of AI in detecting, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats, addressing topics such as threat intelligence, anomaly detection, and automated incident response. Discussions also delve into the ethical implications, challenges, and best practices for leveraging AI to fortify defenses, protect sensitive data, and safeguard digital infrastructure against emerging cyber threats, all while acknowledging that AI itself poses potential cybersecurity concerns, such as adversarial attacks and exploitation of AI vulnerabilities.
Moderator: Geoff Wright, Funding Specialist, Alaska SBDC
- Mitch Kitter, GCI
- Peter House, CEO, Deeptree, Inc.
- Troy Lofven, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
In this panel, experts and stakeholders in higher education policy converge to address the transformative impact of AI on academia. They explore the evolving landscape of higher education policy, considering the integration of AI technologies, their implications for teaching and learning, and the broader societal implications.
Discussions delve into issues such as equity, access, privacy, and the ethical use of AI in shaping the future of higher education, fostering critical dialogue and strategic insights to navigate this rapidly evolving terrain.
Moderator: William “Bill” Anker, Executive Director, Strategic Programs Office of Information Technology, University of Alaska
Dr. Helena Wisniewski, Marion Porter Chair, Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Alaska Anchorage
Dayne Broderson, Program Manager, Alaska Center for Energy & Power; Teaching Through Technology Lead, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Dr. Mike Jones, Research Assistant Professor of Economics, Institute for Social and Economic Reliance, University of Alaska Anchorage
Kenrick Mock, Dean and Professor – Computer Science & Engineering, UAA
Join a thought-provoking dialogue about the intricate dynamics of AI-aided writing. Don Rearden and Dante Medema explore the nuanced advantages and challenges inherent in leveraging artificial intelligence tools in the creative writing process. Through candid discussions, they delve into topics such as the enhancement of productivity, the preservation of authorial voice, ethical considerations, and the enduring value of human creativity amidst technological advancements.
Moderator: Doug Franklin, Sci-Fi Author, Airhounds
- Don Rearden Professor, Author; Chair of the Department of Writing, Community Technical College, University of Alaska Anchorage
- Dante Medema, Author, The Truth Project; Communications Specialist, Alaska SBDC
Panelists will delve into how AI technologies are reshaping teaching and learning practices, curriculum development, student assessment, and educational equity in the digital age. Participants examine promising AI applications, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for effectively integrating AI into K-12 classrooms to enhance student engagement, personalize learning experiences, and prepare the next generation for the challenges of an AI-driven world.
Moderator: Andy Holleman, Anchorage School Board Member
- Justin Ainsworth, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Ed.D., Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
- Ali Larijani, Program Administrator, iTech Online & Summer School, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
- Kern McGinley, Ed.D., Principal, King Tech High School & The Alaska Middle College School
- Jacqueline Summers, HealthTie
- Charlotte Bittner, Student, West High School
Join in for two presentations from experienced government contractors to learn how they are utilizing AI in their work.
- Dr. Brian J. Pierre, Manager, Power Systems Research Department, Sandia National Laboratories
- Lauren Decker, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, PolArctic
Local experts will explore how artificial intelligence, including the emergence of deep fakes, is reshaping elections and campaigns. From the challenges of algorithmic transparency to the implications of synthetic media on political discourse, they will examine the urgent need for strategies to detect and mitigate the spread of misinformation while emphasizing the importance of media literacy in navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Moderator: Miles Baker
- John-Henry Heckendorn, Founding Partner, Ship Creek Group
- Andrew Halcrow, Host, With All Due Respect
- Mark Begich, CEO, Northern Compass Group
- Amber Lee, Marketing & Communications Strategist, Amber Lee Strategies
Local government has unique properties and challenges that make Generative AI a potentially useful tool. Local governments produce lots of open data and we will cover how to use Chat GPT+ to quickly analyze data and gain insights for additional research. Local governments often have a lot of difficult to understand regulations and procedures.
We will show an example of a Custom GPT that lets you ask questions about Anchorage Land Use and Building code in a conversational manner. We will also explore current and possible use cases for Generative AI in local government from across the US.
Introduction: Melanie Lucas-Conwell, Director, 49th State Angel Fund and C-PACER Clean Energy Financing Program, Municipality of Anchorage
- Brendan Babb, Chief Innovation Officer and i-Team Director, Municipality of Anchorage
Panelists will focus on the ways AI technologies can enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and drive innovation across various government functions. Participants delve into real-world examples and potential challenges associated with leveraging AI in state government operations, highlighting opportunities for improved service delivery, data-driven decision-making, and citizen engagement.
- Bill Smith, Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska
- Fadil Limani, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Revenue
- David Braun, Financial Examiner, Banking and Securities, Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
- Michael Cruz, Director, Data & AI – Pacific NW US State and Local Government, Microsoft
Tickets will be available soon!
The Alaska SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Alaska SBDC is an accredited member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).
The Alaska SBDC is hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), within UAA’s Business Enterprise Institute (BEI).