9-10 a.m. | Networking Breakfast
10 a.m. | Opening Remarks
10:10 a.m. | Setting the Stage: Future-Proofing a Digital, Automated West Virginia
What does it mean to become a digital West Virginia? What technologies are on
the horizon that will continue to revolutionize all aspects of society and
how we communicate with one another – at home, at work and at school? Let’s
get West Virginia ready to lead in tomorrow’s digital world.
Key Takeaways
- Digital innovation is the next industrial revolution. Generative AI will impact 80% of jobs and add over $2 billion to the global economy in the future.
- To reach West Virginia’s Digital Destiny, we must foster digital literacy skills and focus on responsible and secure use, digital equity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
10:40 a.m. | Embracing Digital Connectivity
Hear from broadband champion, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, on the challenges
and realities around broadband and digital equity in West Virginia, as well
as the federal funding opportunities to capitalize on now.
- U.S. Senator
Shelley Moore Capito, Member, Communications, Media, and Broadband Subcommittee
of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Key Takeaways
- Digital connectivity and affordability remain primary concerns for West Virginians.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provided for $1 billion to West Virginia to help improve connectivity to underserved areas. The Broadband Connectivity Panel is focused on distributing these funds while being mindful of digital equity.
- When embracing digital connectivity, policymakers must deal with the tension between regulation and innovation.
11 a.m. | Networking Break
11:15 a.m. | Leading in Digital Identity
As the world’s economy digitizes and vast amounts of sensitive data and information
are captured, how do we protect our digital identity? How can West Virginia
not only prepare, but lead, in this critical, emerging sector?
- Moderator:
Sarah Biller, Executive Director, Vantage Ventures
- Panelists
-
Zach Beecher, Head of Strategic Partnerships, America's Frontier
Fund
-
Brian D. Griffith, Deputy Assistant Director, Identification &
Investigative Services Branch, Criminal Justice Information Services
Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation
-
Josh Di Frances, Head of Incubation, LG NOVA
-
Scott Swann, CEO, Rank One Computing
Key Takeaways
- Advancements in digital identity offer opportunities to drive knowledge and innovation, build trust with consumers, and foster integrity.
- We must overcome the challenges of misinformation, concerns about access and use of the information, and the risk of cyberattacks.
- West Virginia is a leader in digital identity. We must continue building an ecosystem focused on expanding this industry.
12 p.m. | Lunch
12:55 p.m. AI's evolution: looking back, Looking FORWARD
-
Gayle Manchin, Federal Co-Chair, Appalachian Regional Commission; Co-founder
of Focus Forward
Key Takeaway
- West Virginians are in the position to be “pioneers again” when exploring the frontiers of AI and cybersecurity.
1 p.m. | The Future of AI: Implications for industries, workforce and education
We are already playing catch-up to future technologies and the integration of
AI into our everyday lives. What will our automated, augmented reality, digitized,
paperless world look like in ten, twenty and thirty years?
- Moderator:
Jen Giovannitti, President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
- Panelists
-
Jennifer Keating, Teaching Professor, Department of English;
Writing in the Disciplines Specialist, Writing Institute, University
of Pittsburgh
-
Erika Klose, Director, Office of PK-12 Academic Support, Division
of PK-Adult Instruction and Career Engagement, West Virginia Department
of Education
-
Illah Nourbakhsh, Professor of Robotics, Robotics Institute, Carnegie
Mellon University
-
Saket Sinha, Global Vice President – Exponential Technologies,
IBM
Key Takeaways
- Consumers are excited about the ability to improve efficiency, bolster innovation and productivity, and solve problems using generative artificial intelligence.
- However, concerns about the spread of false information, cyberattacks, and ethical dilemmas remain.
- The future workforce requires people who can leverage the power of artificial intelligence. We must design technology with people in mind and foster critical thinking and deontological reasoning skills in our students.
1:45 p.m. networking break
2 p.m. | CYBER FORCES: how to stay secure
at home and abroad
As the chair of the Chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Subcommittee, hear from
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin on the opportunities, challenges and threats in cybersecurity
and what he’s hearing on digitizing our country from a national defense perspective.
- U.S. Senator
Joe Manchin, Chairman, Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Senate Committee
on Armed Services
Key Takeaway
- The global AI race is just beginning, and the U.S. must stay at the top of its game to stay competitive and remain ahead of the curve. We must implement policies that put proper guardrails in place, but are flexible enough to foster innovation.
2:15 p.m. | Our Biggest Threat: Cybersecurity at Work and at School
What does the future of cybersecurity and the scaling of cyber skills alongside
advanced technologies, AI and machine learning look like? What are the opportunities,
challenges and threats to cybersecurity in all sectors, including in our education
system? How can K-12, government, higher ed and the private sector work together
to combat threats and leverage opportunities?
- Moderator:
Liz Vitullo, Assistant Vice President of Economic Innovation, West
Virginia University
- Panelists
-
Josh Brunty, Faculty and Coach of the National Cybersecurity Team,
Marshall University
-
Karen Evans, Managing Director, Cyber Readiness Institute; former
first Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency
Response at the U.S. Department of Energy
- Major General
James Hoyer, Vice President for Economic Innovation, West Virginia
University
Key Takeaways
- Cyberattacks are the economy’s greatest threat. Cybersecurity is a concern for large corporations as well as small and medium businesses who sometimes overlook the importance of cyber readiness as their businesses grow.
- To remain competitive, we must establish initiatives such as cyber academies in middle and high schools for students to learn more about cybersecurity and explore career opportunities.
3 p.m. | Fireside Chat: West Virginia innovation Catapults to the International
stage
-
E. Gordon Gee, President, West Virginia University
-
Ali Rezai, MD, Executive Chair and Director, Rockefeller Neuroscience
Institute
-
Brad D. Smith, President, Marshall University
Key Takeaways
- WVU Medicine’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is leading the way in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Addiction through ultrasound technology.
- The state’s leading education institutions - West Virginia University and Marshall University - must collaborate rather than compete to improve the lives of people.
- The growing healthcare industry in the Mountain State will improve health outcomes, allow for innovative technologies and treatments, and stimulate the economy.
3:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks
Brandon Dennison, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development, Marshall University
4 P.M. | Special reception featuring dr. ali rezai and U.s. Senator Joe
Manchin
Hosted by Discover the Real West Virginia, the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience
Institute and WVU Medicine.
