Chicago Data Night – David Zaretsky, PhD (Northwestern)
Please join us for our monthly Chicago Data Night, cohosted by ChiData and DSI. Practitioners, academics, and aficionados within the Chicago area are all invited to be part of a community at the intersection of industry and academia, brought together by a mutual interest in data. Each month, guest speakers will cover a specific data-related topic.
Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Admission is free, and we strongly encourage filling out an RSVP here.
Agenda
5:00pm: Doors Open
5:30pm: Welcome Remarks
5:35pm: Guest Speaker
6:30pm: Q&A
6:45pm: Reception
Meeting Location
The Auditorium at 1871
Merchandise Mart, #1212
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Abstract: In an era where artificial intelligence is not just a tool, but a transformative force, the intersection of BIG AI and BIG IDEAS heralds a new frontier in innovation and entrepreneurship. Join David, a visionary entrepreneur, engineer, and academic, as he explores the thrilling possibilities that emerge when the boundless potential of AI converges with groundbreaking ideas. In this captivating talk, David will delve into how AI is reshaping industries, from autonomous vehicles to medical diagnostics, and how it’s fostering a new breed of entrepreneurship that’s agile, data-driven, and socially responsible. He’ll share insights from his journey as the founder and CEO of Snips, an AI startup revolutionizing influencer marketing, his experience teaching NUvention AI, a very popular entrepreneurship course at Northwestern University, and also his experiences mentoring emerging AI startups. With a blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen, David will discuss the critical role of AI in driving sustainable innovation, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the skills needed to thrive in this dynamic landscape. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future, this talk will ignite your imagination and inspire you to be part of the AI-driven revolution. Get ready to embark on a journey to the future, where BIG AI and BIG IDEAS collide to create a world of endless possibilities!
Bio: David Zaretsky, PhD. David is a seasoned entrepreneur, engineer, researcher, speaker, and author with over two decades of expertise in artificial intelligence, electronic design automation, and high- performance computing. His AI experience spans across multiple industries, including autonomous vehicles, semiconductors, aerospace, medical diagnostics, and social media. David has been involved with creation of multiple tech startups, in both business and product development roles. Most recently, David is the founder and CEO at Snips, an AI-driven influencer marketing startup that allows brands to reward influencers on driving real, measurable performance. David holds a B.S and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northwestern University, where he now serves as the Assistant Chair and Associate Professor. David also directs the master’s program in ECE and teaches courses in high-performance computing, AI, and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, David enjoys staying up to date on tech trends, mentoring startups, playing guitar and piano, and pickleball.