The Polsky Center’s new breakfast series brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to highlight emerging trends in select industries. In AI 2019, we will dive deep with a panel of expert venture capitalists and entrepreneurs as they discuss the changing uses of the technology in 2019 and where they see white space for entrepreneurial opportunity. This event is hosted in partnership with the Center for Data and Computing (CDAC) at the University of Chicago and mHUB.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Sanjay Krishnan, University of Chicago – Sanjay is an assistant professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on applications of machine learning and control theory to computer and cyber-physical systems problems. Sanjay completed his PhD and master’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley in Computer Science in 2018. Sanjay’s work has received a number of awards including the 2016 SIGMOD Best Demonstration award, 2015 IEEE GHTC Best Paper award, and Sage Scholar award.
• Julia Lane, AM ’13, Center for Data and Computing – Julia is the executive director of the Center for Data and Computing (CDAC), an intellectual hub and incubator for data science research at the University of Chicago. Julia is responsible for executing the strategic vision of CDAC, building new research partnerships and outreach strategies to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and ensuring that the University continues to broaden applications of data science and computing approaches. Previously, Julia was the executive director of research development in the Office of Research and National Laboratories; where she led a multi-unit team in developing federal funding strategies to enhance the University’s research enterprise. Julia received her master’s degree in international relations and affairs at the University of Chicago and her bachelor’s degree from the American University of Paris.
• Darwin Ling, MBA ’15, Good AI Capital – Darwin is the founding general partner of Good AI Capital, a venture fund focusing on early-stage AI companies in fintech, healthcare, and enterprise SaaS. Prior to that, he was an entrepreneur with multiple exits, technologist, angel investor, and mentor for various startups. Most recently, Darwin served as the CTO and cofounder of SmarterMe, which was recently acquired and aims to improve sales productivity by bringing AI to the flow of work and includes enterprise customers such as Danaher (Fortune 500 medical device), Home Depot and GE. Due to his entrepreneurial success, Darwin was featured as one of Purdue’s Tech Titans. Darwin received his MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and both his BS in computer science and mathematics and an MS in computer science from Purdue University.
• Rumi Morales, Outlier Ventures – Rumi is a pioneer in identifying, investing, and cultivating the emerging technologies that will define our economy’s next generation. An early specialist in digital currency, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, Rumi is also a leading early investor in artificial intelligence, deep learning, predictive analytics, and quantum computing. She began her career in venture capital in London, Kuala Lumpur and New York, and has invested across three continents and lived in seven countries. Currently based in Chicago, Rumi is actively involved in the city’s burgeoning technology and entrepreneurial community. Institutional Investor also noted her as one the “most powerful dealmakers in financial technology” two years in a row, and Crain’s recognized her in their esteemed “40 Under 40” list. Rumi received her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College and received her MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
• Armando Pauker, Tensility Venture Partners – Armando is a cofounder and managing director of Tensility Venture Partners. Prior to Tensility, he was a general partner with Apex Venture Partners, a Chicago-based venture firm, where he spent 18 years investing in software and hardware technology businesses.  Prior to Apex, Armando served in senior management positions at several global technology companies. Armando also served as a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with clients in technology industries.  Armando holds an MBA with high distinction from the University of Michigan, and he received his BS in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.
• Maryam Saleh, PhD ’11, Machinify – Maryam has built her career building and supporting the growth of early-stage companies. She currently leads sales and partnerships efforts at Machinify, a venture-backed startup that is applying AI to reduce waste in healthcare. Maryam was a founding member of Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, a medical device company that used brain implants and machine learning to restore movement in quadriplegic individuals. She had also held multiple positions at Northwestern University including managing director of the Innovation and New Venture Office where she helped spin out a number of startups. For the past five years, Maryam was VP and adviser at MATTER. Born in London and raised in Canada, Maryam earned a BS in computer engineering from Brown University and a PhD in computational neuroscience from the University of Chicago.

Additionally, the event will include the opportunity for networking and time for a limited number of 1-minute pitches from AI-based startups before this engaged audience. To apply to pitch, complete an application by February 28 at 12pm.

Free breakfast is provided and registration is required.

If you like this event, be sure to check out all the events in our series:

• January 18: Health Tech 2019
• January 25: Food 2019
• February 1: Therapeutics 2019
• February 8: Civtech 2019
• February 15: Fintech 2019
• February 22: Energy 2019
• March 1: AI 2019