Shape the Big Opportunities with Generative AI

Generative AI is transforming industries, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, and redefining how businesses create value. While global adoption is progressing more slowly than anticipated, forward-thinking entrepreneurs and professionals have the chance to innovate, experience transformational change, and remain competitive as generative AI evolves. Recent findings indicate that adoption rates of generative AI among women and small business owners lag behind those of men by 25% to 60%. This gap in knowledge and practice can significantly impact careers, business competitiveness, and access to funding.

Event Overview

Our experts in adult education will kick off the event by sharing their insights on the current state and future trends of generative AI. Following their presentations, they will engage in a discussion format to impart knowledge and techniques for integrating generative AI into our personal and professional lives.

What You Will Gain:

- Insights into Generative AI: Gain access to presentations from experts on the current state and future trends of generative AI.
- Skills for Transformation: Learn about the mindset and skills necessary for professionals, creatives, and managers to embrace generative AI. Understand when individuals may struggle with transformational change and how to navigate these challenges.
- Clarifying Expectations: Discover what generative AI can and cannot do for you as an individual, decision-maker, or leader. Understand its role as a value creation tool.
- Funding for Non-Traditional Founders: Explore how AI can support non-traditional startup founders in securing adequate funding for growth or restructuring their businesses.
- AI Risk Management and Ethics: Examine examples of how ethical considerations and risks associated with AI are being addressed.
- Tool Kits for Generative AI: Get guidance on finding and utilizing tool kits for generative AI. Evaluate their effectiveness and learn how to create your processes or develop a personal bot.
- Live Q&A with Experts: Participate in a live Q&A session to answer your questions about generative AI and its transformative impact on the future.

Who Should Attend:

- Professionals, Executives, and Innovators: Those eager to scale their businesses through innovation and transformational changes in their industries.
- Small Business Owners and Startup Founders: These are ambitious individuals looking to grow their businesses and develop new business models for smaller organizations.
- Freelancers, Consultants, and Creatives: Individuals aiming to make an impact with their distinctive products and organizations.

Why This Panel?

Whether you are excited or apprehensive about AI, don’t get left behind by this technology just because it seems complex or confusing. Learn from our experts in adult education and AI across various sectors, including education, business, government, and social change. Shape your future with AI as a partner at your own pace.

Speakers:

Dr. Rhianna Rogers

Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers is a global leader in digital equity, public policy, and interdisciplinary research with over 20 years of experience in federal, academic, and non-profit sectors. Formerly Biden-Harris Administration's Chief DEIA Officer and Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management (AI and Data Analytics) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, she led initiatives in diversity, AI policy, and digital equity, earning the 2024 Department of Education Gold Medallion of Appreciation. A co-founder of the Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC), former director of RAND’s Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy, and former Ernest Boyer Presidential Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, she has spearheaded multimillion-dollar research projects on equity in technology, health, infrastructure, and education. Dr. Rogers has presented at the United Nations, TEDx, and other global platforms, highlighting her expertise in innovation and inclusivity. An award-winning educator, she has taught at multiple colleges and universities, including SUNY Empire State University, California’s Command College, and the RAND School for Public Policy, shaping the future of equitable technology practices.

Dr. Frederick Wehrle

Assistant Dean of Innovation for UCLA Continuing Education

Dr. Frederick T. Wehrle is the Assistant Dean for Academic Innovation and Learning at UCLA Extension. He joined UCLA in 2023, after having served at UC Berkeley Extension since 2018.

Before immigrating to the U.S., Frederick led Accreditation and International Relations at Business Schools in Paris, France. He has held faculty and administrative positions in France and the US and served as advisor and mentor to startups, non-profit organizations and universities across the globe. Core to his work are the development of AI-powered Instructional Tools and Andragogy, which are grounded in Frederick’s research on innate and learned behavior.

Frederick holds a MSc in Biology from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and a PhD in Management Sciences, specializing in Consumer Behavior from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France.

Moderator:

Darlene Crane

President and Chief Value Creator, Project Concepts Inc. - The Crane Works

Darlene is a multi-disciplinary consultant who works at the intersection of business, people, and technology. Her specialties are market research, growth strategy, planning, product development, funding readiness, and raises. She has a passion for bringing her decades of experience in transformational IT projects to value-based small and mid-size businesses. She works with clients to develop their value creation mindset and turn ideas into successful products and projects to become market leaders. She earned an MBA in Finance and an M.A. in Information Science.

Sponsors:

Cleantech Group’s research, consulting, events, and advocacy catalyze opportunities for sustainable growth powered by innovation. From trends and companies to the people and ideas defining the future of industry, we provide the access and customized support you need to engage external innovation and achieve growth in a more digitized, de-carbonized and resource-efficient future.

Product Rehab provides customer-centric strategic planning, growth, and market research services to help businesses make informed decisions and achieve their goals.