This presentation will explore the radical changes that we are witnessing as technology, globalism, politics, economics, culture, and the nature of work all undergo unsettling change. It might seem at times that these changes threaten foundational ideas like value, utility and truth. Our morning keynote, Matt Versaggi, is a futurist who most recently served as Distinguished Engineer and Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Technology for the Advanced Technology Division of Optum. Matt will leverage his decades of experience and insights in the fields of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology to guide our MnTech community through these vectors of disruption, structural shifts, and the underlying forces impacting the world of technology in 2023 and beyond.

During this mid-day keynote, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with the insights of an award-winning engineer for an engaging and personal perspective on the potential of a world recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jayshree Seth zooms in on the issues of science and leadership through the lens of personal and professional transitions, reflections, and calls to action. Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., is an author, internationally sought-after speaker, career engineer, prolific inventor, distinguished alumni, and occasional songwriter. As a Corporate Scientist at 3M who holds 77 patents for a variety of innovations, she was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018. Jayshree will share her scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and professional experience to illuminate the exciting accomplishments of the scientific community and the unlimited transformational potential for STEM fields to continue to inspire hope for our future.  Jayshree will challenge each of us to engage in the opportunities we have to invest our own personal experience into our work and encourage us to inspire our young people to see the potential contributions they can make within STEM careers, so that future innovations solve challenges that are representative of our inclusive and diverse global community.

All conference participants will receive a free copy of her book, The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print. All proceeds from the books purchased by MnTech will go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM, administered by the Society of Women Engineers.