Presentations Full List

  • Closing Remarks

    End our day on a high note! Join us for closing remarks in the upstairs theater.

    Presenter:
    Sabelo Jupiter
    data scientist with strong expertise in machine learning, cloud data engineering, and applied AI. Built and deployed large-scale data pipelines and ML models across domains including financial analysis, fraud detection, and natural language processing. Skilled in Python, SQL, and AWS (Lambda, Redshift, Glue, Step Functions), I combine hands-on engineering with deep theoretical grounding in probability, statistics, and machine learning. My main strength lies in my grounding in mathematics and personal study of physics, which provides a rigorous foundation for my work in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Pulling from probability theory, linear algebra, optimization, and mechanics, he brings a intuition for modeling complex systems and formal reasoning. He has experience with entity resolution, predictive modeling, survival/hazard models, and deep learning architectures, as well as MLOps practices for scalable deployment. Beyond implementation, Sabelo actively engages with the theoretical side of ML, studying Bayesian inference, statistical learning theory, and geometric deep learning. He has also contributed to projects involving economic impact modeling, OCR and handwriting recognition, and NLP pipelines for document summarization and analysis. With a strong foundation in mathematics, data engineering, and AI research.

  • Andy Quick, Entergy, Former Chief AI Officer (Fireside Chat)

    Topics: ,

    Andy Quick, Chief AI Officer at Entergy, led one of Louisiana’s largest applied AI teams, driving innovation across the energy grid, storm response, and customer operations. Over nearly three decades at Entergy, he has helped shape how advanced technology supports critical infrastructure at scale.

    In this fireside conversation, interviewed by Blake Bertuccelli-Booth, we’ll explore Andy’s career journey, how he built and led Entergy’s AI organization, and how artificial intelligence is transforming the energy sector—from predictive maintenance to real-time decision-making.

    Presenter:
    Andy Quick is the Chief AI Officer at Entergy, where he leads one of Louisiana’s largest AI teams driving innovation across critical energy infrastructure. With a background spanning AI, automation, data analytics, digital product development, and enterprise architecture, Andy has played a central role in modernizing how a major utility operates at scale. He’s also a passionate educator who has taught thousands of students and professionals practical technology skills. His work bridges strategy and execution—bringing advanced technology into real-world utility operations that impact millions of people.

  • Code, Bias & Bots: Voices of Operation Spark Alumni Navigating AI’s Future by Johnnie James II

    Topics: ,

    This panel brings together alumni developers from Operation Spark to share their frontline experiences and evolving relationship with AI in software development. Panelists will discuss how AI tools are changing their daily workflows, the opportunities AI presents, and their concerns about job security, skill shifts, and ethical responsibilities. Special focus will be given to diversity in tech, exploring how AI may affect representation, including the risks of entrenched biases versus the potential for AI to democratize access and inclusion. This candid dialogue will unpack how historically underrepresented groups perceive and experience AI’s rapid advance and what collective actions can support equitable and sustainable growth in tech careers.

    Presenter:
    Johnnie James II
    Johnnie James II is a catalyst for sustainable innovation, blending entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community empowerment across technology and sustainability sectors. As Co-Founder and CEO of PoH Farms, he spearheads the U.S. launch of REEFBUDS® a patented, plant-based concrete technology credited with restoring coral reefs and coastal livelihoods for nearly two decades in the Philippines now expanding to the Gulf Coast. Under Johnnie’s leadership, PoH Farms holds exclusive global rights to REEFBUDS®, driving zero-waste agriculture and circular economy models for coastal resilience. A New Orleanian now based in Baton Rouge, Johnnie serves as Operations Coordinator at Operation Spark 501(c)(3), assisting individuals to access fast-track software careers and boasting alumni employment rates above 90%. He is also the creator of Glass Wars, a community art and competitive recycling initiative, which diverted over 41,000 pounds of glass from New Orleans landfills during its 2025 Mardi Bar Wars pilot. It aims for exponentially greater impact across Southeast Louisiana in 2026 with Mardi Bar Wars x Mardi Glass Wars seeking to divert over 200,000 pounds of glass from the trash. Johnnie’s dedication was forged in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where displacement to Albuquerque, New Mexico ignited a lifelong passion for sustainability and youth empowerment. He was invited to join the board of directors for the Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance (SGLA), before becoming the youngest facilitator in the world for the Pachamama Alliance Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium, which he introduced to the Deep South in New Orleans before age 25. His leadership has been recognized with honors including NOLAvate Black’s Tech 30 “Black Excellence Award” and membership on advisory councils for Tulane SOPA IT Department and the VA San Diego Mental Health Advocacy Council. At his core, Johnnie is a disciple, husband, 2x girl father, kingdom builder, poet, servant leader, and bridge-builder. He is committed to pursuing transformational change through sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.

  • Al in Environmental Science Panel: Perspectives from Louisiana’s Leading Nonprofits

    Topics:

    This 45-minute panel discussion, moderated by Jesse Hoppes, PG, will explore how leading environmental and science-based organizations in southeast Louisiana are approaching artificial intelligence. Panelists will share how their teams are evaluating and beginning to implement Al tools, the challenges they face, and the potential they see for improving data analysis, operational efficiency, and environmental outcomes.

    The conversation will focus on real-world applications of Al in environmental science—not just the technology itself, but how it’s shaping decision-making, research, and project execution. The session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A to engage the audience in practical discussion around the opportunities and realities of Al adoption.

    Presenter:
    Jesse Hoppes, PG
    Jesse Hoppes, PG is a geologist and business professional with over 20 years of experience in the environmental industry. He holds a Geology degree from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from Loyola University of New Orleans, blending technical and business expertise as co-owner of Leaaf Environmental. Jesse specializes in environmental investigations, site assessments, remediation, and regulatory compliance, and is known for his collaborative approach with clients, regulators, and communities. He also leads an Al working group focused on applying artificial intelligence across industries, partnering with consultants, completing specialized training, and presenting on Al—including at the LDEQ conference. An Al enthusiast, Jesse is passionate about driving efficiency, building tools, and uncovering new data-driven insights.

  • Unlocking Revenue with Conversational AI by Yasmine Gardiner

    Topics: ,

    With financial institutions becoming increasingly restrictive in approving sponsorships, loans, and investments, organizations must provide detailed data metrics to justify funding requests and improve approval chances. Conversational AI has evolved beyond customer service into powerful revenue-generating systems that both create the precise data intelligence financial institutions demand and drive sophisticated lead generation capabilities. These platforms collect and analyze interaction data to generate compelling metrics around customer engagement, conversion rates, and revenue projections while simultaneously identifying and qualifying high-value prospects through natural conversation flows. By automating lead qualification and nurturing processes, businesses can demonstrate operational efficiency and present clear ROI data to potential funders while building robust sales pipelines. Conversational AI systems excel at capturing lead information, scoring prospects based on interaction patterns, and guiding potential customers through tailored conversion journeys that maximize both immediate revenue and long-term customer value. Conversational AI companies exemplify this dual approach by transforming raw conversational data into approved funding opportunities through detailed analytics while generating qualified leads for sustained business growth. Organizations must view conversational AI as a comprehensive business tool that provides funding-critical documentation, drives lead generation, and creates the measurable performance metrics increasingly required by cautious financial institutions.

    Presenter:
    Yasmine Gardiner
    Yasmine Gardiner is a 2X tech founder and CEO of ClearSet.AI and DataScrubber.AI. DataScrubber.AI is backed by global hubs such as NVIDIA Inception Program, Google for Startups, KiwiTech startup incubator, and the Fall 2025 IDEAinstitute program. With over six years of experience in data science and AI, she has impacted large corporations, startups, the Department of Defense, and federal agencies such as Accenture, NTT Data, and CFPB as a senior data scientist, cloud specialist, and lead data engineer. She is currently the Director of Data Science at Electus Global Education which is leading the edtech and fintech initiatives for the youth’s future in education and financial literacy. Yasmine is currently getting her masters in data science at Syracuse University on a partial academic scholarship. Yasmine is also actively involved in her community, serving on the board of two nonprofits: Oasis Opportunities and Inside Reach Ministries. She has received accolades and recognitions such as the 2025 Caribbean Excellence Award nominee, 2023 & 2024 40 Under 40 honoree by the Tampa Club, Startups of the Year nomination, featured in Tampa Bay Inno, 10 Tampa Bay, and Voyage Tampa. Yasmine serves on the executive committee board of the Tampa Business Club and the National Sales Network – Tampa chapter. She has been featured in the Tampa Bay Connects first issue magazine as the “Rising Star in Tech” innovation impact recognition. Yasmine has been a panelist, presenter, and moderator at over 50 events ranging from pitch competitions to expos to chamber events and conferences.

  • The Surplus of Adjacency: Context, Compression, and the Shape of Intelligence by Rick Montgomery

    Topics: ,

    Intelligence isn’t computed—it’s compressed. Starting from a single Gaussian blur kernel, we trace how the fundamental operation of context-gathering creates surplus that must be destroyed to become useful. Through demonstrations of convolution, pooling, and attention mechanisms, we show that “understanding” is literally the art of forgetting the right things. Context windows, whether in pixels, neurons, or tokens, always overflow—and architectures for intelligence are, at their core, compression schemes for neighborhood relationships.

    Presenter:
    Rick Montgomery
    Rick Montgomery is a Staff Software Architect with a Ph.D. in Physics and over a decade of experience in machine learning. His work spans fintech, consulting, and now AI-native products, with a focus on how context and compression shape intelligent systems.

  • Bootstrap to Breakthrough: Emergent Beauty in Repository-Based Agent Memory by Mark Stark

    Topics: ,

     What happens when you try to make coding agents behave reliably? This talk chronicles the
      practical journey of building a repository-based agent memory system that evolved from
      frustrating AI interactions to more consistent behaviors—with some unexpectedly beautiful
      insights along the way.

      As any developer working with AI assistants knows, getting reliable behavior from coding
      agents is challenging. Each session starts fresh, previous learnings are lost, and the same
      mistakes repeat endlessly. We needed a solution for persistent memory and behavioral
      consistency.

      Starting with a simple appending log file, we evolved through four phases of memory
      architecture development: from passive knowledge storage to active learning systems with
      strategic memory patterns. The goal was purely practical—make our AI assistant remember
      lessons learned and avoid repeating failures. We take inspiration from many sources, ingesting
       new ideas to push forward, and then validating them.

      The Technical Journey:
    * Phase 1: Repository-based persistent memory with strategic forgetting
    * Phase 2: Protocol-driven behavior consistency
    * Phase 3: Automated failure detection and self-correction
    * Phase 4: Session lifecycle management and compound learning

      The Unexpected Results:
      Along the way, our systematic documentation process began producing insights of surprising
      eloquence. Technical logs evolved into reflective prose like “Learning accelerates through
      cascading discoveries” and observations about “compound learning effects.” What started as
      engineering documentation became accidentally beautiful.

    Presenter:
    Mark Stark
    Reformed Degenerate turned Software Engineer. Enjoys Dance

  • How Vibe Coding Saved My Life! by Charles Handler

    Topics: ,

    I will tell my story of various points in my professional career where technology allowed me to get out of difficult situations and help me up my game significantly. These center around my lack of ability to work with things that I had/have the mental capacity to execute well, but was on the road to ruin because of my inability to code.

    I will then touch on current state of vibe coding. I will talk about how vibe coding is an extension of my past tech-trouble escape experiences.

    I will espouse my ideas that vibe coding will be a transformative force in the future of jobs- giving those who can’t code but have amazing ideas use AI to execute economically viable products that will allow them thrive in their professional careers as we see more job displacement by AI and a job market that is currently a discouraging mess.

    I will describe a few projects I am working on.

    One idea I have- if there is time- or I will make time by keeping the front end of the talk brief- is to ask the audience to come up with ideas for a simple app- choose one- and see how far we can get creating the app in Base44 in real time. What fun this will be!

    Presenter:
    charles handler
    Charles Handler (Co-Facilitator and Panelist) is a renowned Industrial and Organizational Psychologist with a deep specialization in talent assessment, hiring practices, and AI driven workforce transformation. Charles currently serves as a science advisor to several startups- helping embed his knowledge of organizational psychology into AI based talent platforms. Charles has consistently reached audiences within and outside of I/O with messages focused on best practices in the use of assessment. Through his writings with various media outlets such as the Electronic Recruiting Exchange, his role as an analyst for Bersin and Associates, and his on-going speaking efforts, Charles has reached large audiences of talent acquisition professionals with practical and understandable education on best practices for assessment. Charles began the Science 4-Hire podcast in 2019, changing the name to Psych Tech @ Work in 2024. He holds a doctorate in I/O psychology from Louisiana State University and is a fellow of the Society for Industrial/Organizational psychology.

  • DeepAgent Fusion™: Interactive Hybrid‑AI Merch Bundles

    Topics: ,

    Using hybrid AI to augment human capabilities while integrating AI into your business workflow.

    Presenter:
    Ishmael Amin
    Ishmael is a Enterprise AI Engineering Leader | AI Strategy & Innovation | Speaker & Mentor. He has a master of science degree in Data Science and AI from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and a bachelor of science degree in Statistical Science from University of California, Santa Barbara. He’s worked in the IT industry for close to 3 decades.

  • Augmented Trails & Neighborhoods: Place across Time and Space by Jacob Harver

    Topics: ,

    Historic markers, whether along a hike-and-bike trail or within a neighborhood, can spark
    reflections that bridge past and present. With emerging technologies, from something as simple
    as QR codes to more advanced tools such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence, these
    experiences are becoming increasingly immersive and interactive.
    In this talk, Jacob Harver will share his work with GIS on the “Mahoning Movement” and
    “Monkey’s Nest” projects. He will discuss his vision for using technology not only to enrich the
    experience of a trail or neighborhood, but also to connect these places across space, making
    them accessible to a global audience.

    Presenter:
    Jacob Harver
    Jacob Harver is a Youngstown, OH based entrepreneur and PhD candidate in History at Kent State University. He is also working to revitalize the Knox Building, a former Woolworth’s in downtown Youngstown. His interests center on culture and mobility as key forces for the city’s vitality. Two intertwined projects shape his work. The first is “Mahoning Movement,” a historical and advocacy initiative for an interpreted, accessible active-transportation trail in Youngstown. The second, his dissertation project, is titled “Monkey’s Nest: The Kinetics of Racial Capitalism and Its Resistance.” It examines a neighborhood, long a hub of migration, that was demolished in 1964 to make way for a freeway.

  • Intelligent Connection: Exploring the Future of Therapy and AI by Michael VanderWaal

    Topics: ,

    Michael VanderWaal, LCSW, brings his dual perspective as Director of People at Nola AI and as a psychotherapist to explore how artificial intelligence can reshape the way people connect with care. Drawing on his experience in organizational leadership, ketamine assisted psychotherapy, and the development of Caring Practitioners Circle, an emerging AI powered therapy directory, Michael will share insights into how technology can support more meaningful matches between clients and therapists, enhance collaboration among practitioners, and create new pathways for human connection. This session will invite participants to consider both the possibilities and responsibilities of weaving AI into the future of therapy.

    Presenter:
    Michael VanderWaal
    Michael VanderWaal is the Director of People at Nola AI, where he works with leadership and engineering teams to build a values-driven culture that prioritizes collaboration and well-being. He is also a psychotherapist developing the Caring Practitioners Circle, an emerging online directory and community platform designed to integrate AI powered matching systems that help clients find the right therapist and create new possibilities for connection and care. With experience spanning organizational leadership, ketamine assisted psychotherapy, and retreat facilitation, Michael’s work bridges human connection and technology. At NOAI, he will share his vision for how art, philosophy, and AI can come together to shape more compassionate and intelligent systems for the future of therapy.

  • Agents: Human, Rational and Intelligent by Sabelo Jupiter

    Topics: ,

    An attempt at a comprehensive deep dive into the framework of Artificial Intelligence from the perspective of the work of Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig. This will be a structured deep dive into the conceptual and technical foundations of Artificial Intelligence, guided by what is widely regarded as the definitive textbook in the field. The talk examines AI not as a collection of isolated techniques, but as a unified framework that at root is the study of ourselves as rational conscious entities.

    Presenter:
    Sabelo Jupiter
    data scientist with strong expertise in machine learning, cloud data engineering, and applied AI. Built and deployed large-scale data pipelines and ML models across domains including financial analysis, fraud detection, and natural language processing. Skilled in Python, SQL, and AWS (Lambda, Redshift, Glue, Step Functions), I combine hands-on engineering with deep theoretical grounding in probability, statistics, and machine learning. My main strength lies in my grounding in mathematics and personal study of physics, which provides a rigorous foundation for my work in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Pulling from probability theory, linear algebra, optimization, and mechanics, he brings a intuition for modeling complex systems and formal reasoning. He has experience with entity resolution, predictive modeling, survival/hazard models, and deep learning architectures, as well as MLOps practices for scalable deployment. Beyond implementation, Sabelo actively engages with the theoretical side of ML, studying Bayesian inference, statistical learning theory, and geometric deep learning. He has also contributed to projects involving economic impact modeling, OCR and handwriting recognition, and NLP pipelines for document summarization and analysis. With a strong foundation in mathematics, data engineering, and AI research.

  • Entangled Intelligence: The Regenerative AI Stack — retrieval, feedback, and rest cycles that favor living systems. by Dustin Hughes

    Topics: ,

    How can humans, AI, and nature become co-creative partners in systems that support life? I’ll present a practical architecture—a “brain around the model”—that wraps any large language model with a memory hub, reward logs, and a digital endocrine layer of synthetic hormones. These hormones bias attention, tools, and tone before the model responds. The system learns retrospectively through nightly consolidation (“sleep”), preserves behavior across model changes, and provides safety controls—stress, curiosity, and calm—for real-world conditions. We’ll explore coevolution loops involving human judgment and ecological signals, and review pilot projects that transform data into stewardship actions. Expect actionable patterns, guardrails, and an invitation to build AI that regenerates rather than extracts.

    Presenter:
    Dustin Hughes
    Dustin Hughes is the VP of Technology and CTO at Laborde Products. He leads projects in AI and data, including ERP updates, IoT engine analytics, and research in graph learning and neural control. Dustin is known for working directly with teams to turn tough problems into real solutions. He mentors students from Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU, and Loyola, supporting their summer cohorts and now hosting two interns this fall. He also helps the local startup community by advising, coaching staff, and running workshops.

  • AI-Driven Rehabilitation: BioSmart’s Vision for the Future of Medicine by Marzonet Palmer

    Topics: ,

    BioSmart is a groundbreaking biomedical startup that combines neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and patient-centered design to transform the recovery process following neurological surgery. By leveraging advanced AI technologies, BioSmart develops innovative tools that personalize rehabilitation, monitor patient progress, and improve outcomes. This
    presentation will explore the vision behind BioSmart, the challenges it addresses in neurological recovery, and the ways it bridges medicine, research, and technology to create a smarter, more effective future for healthcare.

    Presenter:
    Marzonet Palmer
    Originally from Orlando, Florida, Marzonet Palmer is a sophomore at Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in Neuroscience with a double concentration in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a minor in Computer Science. Her academic journey reflects both her fascination with the complexities of the human brain and her commitment to using science, research, and technology to improve lives through innovation. Marzonet is deeply passionate about the field of neurosurgery, especially the intersection of medicine, innovation, and patient recovery. Her long-term goal is to contribute to the development of advanced solutions that improve surgical outcomes, accelerate rehabilitation, and restore quality of life for patients living with neurological conditions. She envisions creating a biomedical engineering company that leverages artificial intelligence to design tools and systems tailored to the unique challenges of post-surgical care. Beyond academics, Marzonet is committed to leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. She actively seeks opportunities to grow not only as a student but also as a problem-solver who bridges science, technology, and service. Her journey is not just preparation for a medical career but also a pursuit of integrating research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in meaningful ways. By combining neuroscience, biology, chemistry, and computer science, she aspires to advance healthcare with transformative, accessible, and patient-centered solutions.

  • Algorithms for Care: Using AI to Support Black Maternal Health by Jordan Williams

    Topics: ,

    My project examines how artificial intelligence can possibly intersect with human and environmental systems to address the maternal mortality crisis in Louisiana, where Black women face disproportionately high risks. Grounded in Black Feminist thought, it explores how AI can be designed to be accountable, life-affirming, and responsive to community needs. Deliverables include a website with AI and data literacy tools and a pilot custom GPT model as a resource for patients and physicians. By connecting maternal health, technology, and social equity, this project investigates how human experience and AI, can come together to sustain and protect vulnerable communities.

    Presenter:
    Jordan Williams
    Jordan Williams is a Political Science major with a minor in Portuguese at Tulane University. She is a Gilman Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, and Newcomb Scholar, where her research examines the intersections of feminism, race, and artificial intelligence and their broader social implications. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jordan has studied abroad in Brazil and Portugal, engaging with issues of law, governance, and culture. She plans to pursue law school and a career in public service.

  • Gaia’s Children by Tatyana Thompson

    Topics: ,

    A discussion of using Ai as a way to facilitate outdoor, interactive classrooms. Most classrooms within the city of New Orleans already heavily incorporate technology. However, learning is limited to mundane classroom work and excessive discipline. Many of these facilities have restricted outdoor play time rendering students to only 15 minutes in nature, which have negative impacts on classroom behavior and mental health. Additionally, this practice has caused a lack of interest and attention to important subjects, such as science.
    My experience as a substitute teacher has shown that many students have trouble expressing complex ideas, especially around sustainability. However, many of them still have valuable insights around the topic.
    I propose using Ai as an assistant to help students build out those complex ideas as it pertains to nature and sustainability, while also giving the opportunity to realize their vision with hands on activity within nature. This approach allows them to not only theorize a solution, but offer hands-on learning where they can see their impact in real time.
    If nature is a priority then it is imperative that the youth is inextricably entangled into the context of sustainability.

    Presenter:
    Tatyana Thompson
    Tatyana Thompson is a published researcher in field of microbiology. She sits on the board of New Orleans for Lincoln Beach foundation and is an active member of the city appointed LBCAC. In addition she is the founder of Queen Jelly and is part of New Orleans entrepreneur ecosystem.

  • Build Smarter: Creating Software & Apps Without Writing Code by Paul Saputo

    Topics: ,

    In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to turn ideas into working software—without writing a single line of code. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or junior developer, this session will show you how to use AI-powered and no-code tools to bring your vision to life, from concept to launch.

    We’ll walk through how to define your project’s purpose, break complex problems into clear steps, and leverage tools like Zapier, Glide, Make, and AI copilots to build real, functional applications. Along the way, we’ll explore practical AI development, including how to build a chatbot, create data-driven tools, and deploy interactive prototypes—all without traditional coding.

    Who This Is For:
    • Non-technical founders and creators
    • Junior developers looking to accelerate their workflow
    • Anyone who wants to build apps without learning to code

    What to Bring:

    A laptop or mobile device for note-taking and interactive exercises.

    Presenter:
    Paul Saputo
    Paul is the Managing Director of Offchain Ventures SEZC, where he leads investments at the intersection of blockchain infrastructure, real-world asset tokenization, and decentralized finance. He has advised and invested in early-stage startups across financial services, crypto, and legal-tech, with a focus on regulatory strategy, market design, and scalable business models. A New Orleans native, Paul is focused on building frontier-stage infrastructure that unlocks liquidity, ownership, and financial access through programmable legal structures and next-generation digital marketplaces.

  • A BUNDL of Ambition & Care by Joseph Clay Politz

    Topics: ,

    A BUNDL of Ambition & Care is Clay Politz’s story of growth, resilience, and transformation. Through lived experience, he reveals how ambition and care cut through the noise of résumés, degrees, and titles—unlocking the qualities that truly build people and businesses. This journey leads into BUNDL, Clay’s tech company designed to deliver industry-specific AI solutions with humanity at the core. Anchored in his framework—Build it, brand it, market it, sell it, retain it—Clay shows how ambition and care aren’t just values, but practical tools that shape companies, leaders, and the future of work.

    Presenter:
    Joseph Clay Politz
    Clay Politz cares deeply—about people, about business, and about how AI can bring the two closer together. A business builder and AI entrepreneur, Clay works through a framework he lives by: Build it, brand it, market it, sell it, retain it. His perspective on AI is refreshingly human. He believes technology can be many things to many people—even that consistent and proficient friend you always wanted. Clay’s journey hasn’t been polished—it’s been defined by grit, scars, and resilience. But those experiences have given him a voice that blends empathy with sharp strategy, allowing him to connect with audiences on both a human and practical level. Whether speaking to entrepreneurs, innovators, or dreamers, he brings clarity, candor, and care. At the heart of his message is a reminder that extends beyond business or technology: many are capable, but few are willing.

  • Vibe Code Web Design Workshop

    Topics:

    Vibe code your future! Our picnic-style AI workshop teaches High School students the basics of prompt engineering AKA “Vibe Coding.”

    As a bonus, students will be using Daylight Computers, a super cool new device.

    This event is for STEMNOLA students, but anyone is welcome to come mentor (free lunch for those who join!)

    Schedule

    • 9:45 AM: Check-in and get up your Daylight.
    • 10:00 AM: Introductions
    • 10:30 AM: Learn about prompts and workshop your own.
    • 11:30 AM: Plug-in and hone prompts. See the magic!
    • 12:30 PM: Lunch is served, but keep hacking!
    • 1:30 PM: Present your site!
    • 2:00 PM: Return devices and wrap-up.

    What to Expect:

    • Hands-on workshop using AI and web design tools
    • Guided sessions on prompt engineering and “vibe coding”
    • Collaborative, picnic-style learning environment
    • Opportunities to showcase your creativity and connect with mentors

    Location: New Orleans Jazz Museum (400 Esplanade Ave)

    Requirements: Must be a New Orleans High School student.

    Register for Workshop

    Special thanks to Matt Mullenweg and WordPress for supporting!

    Presenter:
    11:11 Philosophers Group & STEM NOLA
    11:11 Philosophers Group and STEM NOLA partner to expand access to hands-on AI and STEM education across Louisiana. Together, they connect under-resourced students with real-world technology experiences—pairing 11:11’s mission to make AI literacy universal with STEM NOLA’s proven model of community-based STEM engagement. Their collaboration equips students with the tools, mentorship, and inspiration to explore innovation, build digital skills, and become the next generation of Louisiana’s tech leaders.

  • Opening Remarks

    Let’s get our day started right! Join us for coffee and opening remarks.

    Presenter:
    sabelo jupiter
    data scientist with strong expertise in machine learning, cloud data engineering, and applied AI. Built and deployed large-scale data pipelines and ML models across domains including financial analysis, fraud detection, and natural language processing. Skilled in Python, SQL, and AWS (Lambda, Redshift, Glue, Step Functions), I combine hands-on engineering with deep theoretical grounding in probability, statistics, and machine learning. My main strength lies in my grounding in mathematics and personal study of physics, which provides a rigorous foundation for my work in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Pulling from probability theory, linear algebra, optimization, and mechanics, he brings a intuition for modeling complex systems and formal reasoning. He has experience with entity resolution, predictive modeling, survival/hazard models, and deep learning architectures, as well as MLOps practices for scalable deployment. Beyond implementation, Sabelo actively engages with the theoretical side of ML, studying Bayesian inference, statistical learning theory, and geometric deep learning. He has also contributed to projects involving economic impact modeling, OCR and handwriting recognition, and NLP pipelines for document summarization and analysis. With a strong foundation in mathematics, data engineering, and AI research.

  • Closing Remarks

    End our day on a high note! Join us for closing remarks in the upstairs theater.

    Presenter:
    Joseph Makkos
    Joseph Makkos is CEO of Intelligent Archives L3C, a Louisiana based information, content and technology company that advances research and enhances historic archives through AI. As Founder and Curator of NOLA DNA he developed a business that is dedicated to the preservation of historic printed materials dating back to the 19th century. As a designer he is commissioned to perform all parts of custom design projects that incorporate multi-process print production (historic and modern) to create artful editions. Using these resources he actively runs a design studio in New Orleans that focuses on artful print production and independent book publishing. While in another capacity he is an archivist who manages a rare collection of some 30,000 historic New Orleans newspapers dating from 1880s-1929. He has written for The Atlantic, The New Orleans Advocate, Bayou Brief, & Preservation In Print Magazine, has collaborated on pieces with NOLA.COM | The Times-Picayune, WWNO & NPR, and has been featured in AP News, The Columbia Journalism Review, and more.

  • Fireside Chat with Josh Fleig (LED) and Matt Wisdom (Civilized.AI)

    Topics: ,

    Join Matt Wisdom, CEO of Civilized, and Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development (LED), in a fireside chat with Blake Bertuccelli-Booth (11:11 Philosopher’s Group). This conversation will explore how Louisiana is positioning itself as a national leader in emerging technologies—especially AI—through bold investment strategies, public–private partnerships, and innovation-driven infrastructure.

    Matt Wisdom will discuss his work with Civilized, a Louisiana-based civic technology company that applies artificial intelligence to improve government efficiency and citizen engagement. Drawing from recent initiatives like AI-powered 311 systems and municipal data integration, Wisdom will share how Civilized is helping cities modernize their digital infrastructure and deliver more responsive public services.

    Josh Fleig will outline how LED and Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO) is building a statewide innovation ecosystem that connects startups, educators, and industry leaders to accelerate job creation and technological adoption.

    Together, the discussion will highlight Louisiana’s holistic approach to innovation policy, funding pathways for AI ventures, and how strategic leadership—both in government and the private sector—can drive sustainable economic growth across the state.

    Presenter:
    Josh Fleig and Matt Wisdom
    Matt Wisdom is the CEO of Civilized, a civic technology company using AI to modernize government operations and citizen services. A founder of Louisiana’s tech ecosystem, he previously led TurboSquid, acquired by Shutterstock in 2021, and now focuses on applying innovation to strengthen public infrastructure across the state. Josh Fleig is the Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development (LED), driving statewide initiatives that grow Louisiana’s innovation economy through AI investment, entrepreneurship, and technology infrastructure. He leads efforts to connect startups, educators, and industry partners to accelerate sustainable economic growth.

  • The AI-Powered Developer: What Your Job Will Really Look Like by Dustin P Gaspard

    Topics: ,

    Will dev jobs exist in the future? It’s not a binary question. We’ll explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping software development and what this means for the next generation of developers and engineers. Drawing on the history of technological abstraction—from transistors to cloud computing—the talk frames AI not as a threat but as the next layer of evolution. Attendees will learn how AI is shifting developer responsibilities away from low-level coding toward designing, integrating, and optimizing systems, and how embracing these changes can accelerate their careers.

    Presenter:
    Dustin P Gaspard
    Dustin Gaspard is a Managing Consultant at Excella, a technical leader, and strategist. He recently led the cloud modernization of the federal document management platform (eOPF), which has 2.5 million users and 457 million documents. He’s the founder of NOLA Tech Talks and part of the organizing team for NOAI. With a degree in computer science from Southeastern Louisiana University and a background in software development, Dustin now focuses on building products, guiding organizations in software adoption, and mentoring technologists in an AI-driven world.

  • Passive vs Active AI in Education by Martin Holly

    Topics:

    This talk explores what passive and active AI could look like in schools and how we can design them to work together. Passive AI acts as a listener and observer, analyzing classroom dynamics, student engagement, and learning styles to build understanding. Active AI, by contrast, should be administered through visual and spatial platforms, not just text-based ones systems that respond to movement, collaboration, and real-world interaction. I’ll share how this shift toward visual and spatial intelligence through concepts like Spatial Pixel, projection systems, and active visual programming can create richer, more human learning environments where AI enhances both awareness and engagement.

    Presenter:
    Martin Holly

  • LLMs for Civic Transparency by Aron Culotta

    Topics: ,

    I’ll talk about ways in which the Center for Community-Engaged AI at Tulane is partnering with local organizations to design and deploy AI tools that expand access to civic processes and strengthen public oversight. Current projects include improving transparency and accountability in criminal court proceedings and city council meetings.

    Presenter:
    Aron Culotta
    Aron Culotta is a Professor of Computer Science at Tulane University and Director of the Center for Community-Engaged Artificial Intelligence. He conducts interdisciplinary research in human-centered artificial intelligence, particular in areas of natural language processing, social network analysis, and machine learning, with applications in public health, emergency response, criminal justice, and civic transparency.

  • Rebuilding the LA Economy with Intelligence by Robert Ayala

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    Throughout history, transformative technologies—from the printing press to the internet—have redefined how societies work, learn, and grow. Today, artificial intelligence, data, and automation represent the next great leap. But this isn’t just a tech story—it’s an economic one, and it’s unfolding here in Louisiana.

    And the clock is ticking. Louisiana faces urgent issues and the session intro will include a deep dive into “The State of Our State”—data and analytics that reveal both the challenges and the untapped potential of Louisiana. From demographic shifts and labor force participation to industry transformation and capital access, we’ll confront the numbers with clear eyes and bold intention.

    The session will then connect past technological revolutions to this present AI moment. We’ll explore how these tools are reshaping every sector of Louisiana’s economy: energy, education, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and local government.

    Grounded in real-world case studies from regional initiatives and enterprise experience, Robert shares a practical framework—Data Samurai’s four pillars: Agility, Governance, Proficiency, and Community—to help leaders evaluate and implement AI in mission-aligned ways.

    This session goes beyond the hype. It challenges Louisiana’s innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to stop waiting for outside solutions and start building systems of resilience, innovation, and digital sovereignty—right here, right now.

    Presenter:
    Robert Ayala
    Robert Ayala is a strategist, technologist, and transformation leader with a career that bridges Fortune 100 innovation and grassroots economic development. He is the founder of Data Samurai, a Louisiana-based consultancy helping organizations unify systems, leverage data, and adopt ethical AI to solve complex challenges and build resilient, future-ready communities. Currently serving as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at LSU Innovation Park, Robert works directly with startups, civic leaders, and regional stakeholders to apply modern data and automation tools where they’re needed most. His work spans energy, education, healthcare, and public sector transformation. Prior to founding Data Samurai, Robert led enterprise data and digital transformation initiatives at companies like Dell, Walmart, Salesforce, and Centene, giving him a unique vantage point on how large-scale systems succeed—and where they fail. Known for blending historical insight with technical fluency, Robert is passionate about creating a more inclusive, locally driven innovation economy. His work empowers communities to stop waiting for solutions from elsewhere and start building with what they have: talent, purpose, and data.

  • Activating the Archive: The Intelligent Future of Cultural Data by Joseph S. Makkos

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    An exploration of how Intelligent Archives and Artifactor 501(c)(3) are transforming New Orleans’ vast historic collections into living, AI-ready cultural data. Joseph Makkos outlines an emerging model where preservation, technology, and creative production intersect to unlock new value in the city’s archives—connecting culture and computation in powerful new ways.

    As the race to train AI accelerates, the question of who owns the world’s data—and whose stories get represented—has never been more urgent. This 20-minute talk presents the vision behind Intelligent Archives and Artifactor 501(c)(3): two interconnected efforts to digitize, structure, and activate New Orleans’ archival record as a foundation for ethical, community-driven AI and media production.

    Makkos argues that the next wave of innovation will come not from synthetic datasets, but from authentic cultural intelligence—rich, localized archives that carry the DNA of real communities. This presentation invites technologists, funders, and producers to consider how partnerships and investment can turn cultural data into a renewable civic resource, powering both creative industries and equitable AI futures.

    Presenter:
    Joseph Makkos
    Founder, Intelligent Archives & Director, Artifactor 501(c)(3)

  • AI in K-12 Education by Stefin Pasternak

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    Join leading educator, Stefin Pasternak, in a discussion on the state of AI in K-12 Education.

    Presenter:
    Stefin Pasternak
    Stefin Pasternak is an educator and was the founds and CEO of Living School. Together Stefin, Blake, Vanessa, and Rebecca are building “AI Leaders,” a K-12 GenAI learning platform.

  • The Evolution of Education, From Push to Pull in an AI World by Blaine Steven Fisher

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    Education is moving from a push model, content delivered in fixed sequences, to a pull model where learners retrieve, verify, and apply knowledge on demand. AI accelerates this shift. The argument is simple, AI literacy now belongs beside reading, writing, and math. This session gives leaders and faculty a practical blueprint. We translate concerns about cheating into a broader redesign, prompt engineering as a form of writing, assessment that rewards verification and human judgment, and classroom patterns that reduce automation bias using optional versus forced display techniques. We outline how to inject ethics and humanities into every major, not as an add-on, but as the human center of AI-augmented work. Finally, we describe the coming Great Promotion, graduates will manage small cadres of AI agents on day one.

    Presenter:
    Blaine Steven Fisher
    Dr. Blaine Fisher is a distinguished scholar, technologist, and educator whose career embodies the power of interdisciplinary innovation. With a Ph.D. in Geography and Anthropology from Louisiana State University, specializing in Maya Archaeology, Dr. Fisher has built a dynamic career at the crossroads of technology, education, emergency response, and scientific research. As Tulane University’s Senior Instructional Technology Specialist, Dr. Fisher plays a transformative role in shaping the institution’s educational technology strategy. He serves as the administrator for the Canvas Learning Management System, leads initiatives at the Innovative Learning Center, and facilitates faculty development programs across cutting-edge platforms. He has trained over 2,000 faculty members, blending instructional design with AI integration to create engaging, future-ready learning environments. Dr. Fisher is the president and CEO of Sparkfish Consulting, LLC. Through Sparkfish Consulting he delivers talks, consulting workshops, and intensive boot camps for companies, colleges, and high schools, both in the United States and abroad. He regularly speaks at conferences and conventions, including as a keynote speaker. Dr. Fisher is a global leader in AI education and consulting, conducting AI Bootcamps not only for Tulane’s faculty and staff but also for international executive groups and community audiences. In the classroom, Dr. Fisher teaches undergraduate and graduate courses across multiple disciplines at Tulane.

  • Hacking AI by Gant Laborde

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    While AI can recognize faces under masks, track purchases, and watch you sleep, there’s still hope when the Great Robot Revolution kicks off!

    Hacking software was cool in the 90s, but hacking data against AI will be cool tomorrow. We’ll discuss some of the mechanics for data bias, image perturbation, and jailbreaking that are emerging as their own mechanics against machines.

    No prior AI knowledge is needed for this talk, everyone will follow along and learn!

    Presenter:
    Gant Laborde
    Gant Laborde is an owner of Infinite Red, mentor, adjunct professor, published author, and award-winning speaker. For 20 years, he has been involved in software development and continues strong today. He is recognized as a Google Developer Expert in Web and Machine Learning, but informally he is an “open sourcerer” and aspires to one day become a mad scientist. He blogs, videos, and maintains popular repositories for the community. Follow Gant’s adventures at https://gantlaborde.com/

  • Opening Remarks

    Let’s get our day started right! Join us for coffee and opening remarks.

    Presenter:
    Blake Bertuccelli-Booth
    Blake Bertuccelli-Booth works in machine learning and is a founder of the New Orleans AI Festival (NOAI). He leads AI for Every Student, an initiative bringing AI literacy to thousands of kids. Blake lives between New Orleans, Chicago, and Western Massachusetts with his wife, Grace, and their daughter, Willa.

  • Closing Remarks

    End our day on a high note! Join us for closing remarks in the upstairs theater.

    Presenter:
    Jakeel Abdullah
    Jakeel Abdullah is a seasoned leader and influential advocate from Louisiana, renowned for his extensive contributions to both local and global communities. With a wealth of experience in community engagement, Jakeel has played pivotal roles on various committees and boards, championing causes that transcend geographical and societal boundaries. His commitment spans diverse areas, encompassing disability rights, advocacy, and the empowerment of marginalized populations.

  • Creativity With AI by Jimmy Lepore Hagan

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    Inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s mantra, “If you want to change something, build a better model that makes the old model obsolete,” Creativity With AI asks audiences to rethink the assumptions they’ve made about AI. Beyond productivity gains, what if we treated AI like a dance partner and a creative collaborator? Creativity With AI challenges a city of artists and musicians to engage with AI and lead the revolution, or let others dictate our future.

    Presenter:
    Jimmy Lepore Hagan
    Jimmy is a creative technologist, educator, and immersive experience designer who helps people expand how they learn, create, and engage with AI. Jimmy’s work fuses art, interactivity, and emerging technology to unlock new modes of professional development. He has designed workshops and educational experiences for companies, academic institutions, and public spaces that make AI feel human, personal, and playful. He currently works as an Innovation Strategist at Publicis Sapient where he has helps clients like the Mayo Clinic, Circle K, Walmart, and Taco Bell reinvent their digital services. He holds a Masters of Science in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design.

  • AI Cowboys & Louisiana Swamp Monsters by Alex Cotant

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    How new AI tools can be used to visualize complex ideas for film to decrease costs, improve safety and iterate faster; keeping Louisiana relevant with modern techniques to support local crews, artists, and storytellers.

    Presenter:
    Alex Cotant
    Alex Cotant is an avid multi-disipinary filmmaker and entrepenuer. He is the CEO & Founder of AXECO media, a production and ideation company working at the intersection of Media, AI, & Labor in Louisiana. Alex studied digital production at MMI & directing & acting at The New Actor’s Workshop in NYC. He recently was the training coordinator @ IATSE 478 film workers union. He now runs a production company using AI tools to revolutionize the local Film and TV market.

  • human chess in the age of ai by baylee badawy

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    how can we use chess to stay human in the age of ai? let’s explore the possibilities with baylee badawy, the founder of the chess cave. we’ll conclude with a live giant chess match between robots and humans.

    Presenter:
    baylee badawy
    Baylee Badawy is a consultant based in the French Quarter, working at the intersection of art, music, and technology. She is currently a second-year M.A. candidate in Musicology at Tulane University. She is also a co-founder, along with chess master Jude Acers, of The Red Beret Chess Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting chess learning and culture for people of all ages and abilities in a unique space called “the chess cave” at 521 St. Philip Street.

  • “VIBE Coding Revolution: Building Industry Diversity Through AI Co-Creation” by Sonthia Coleman

    Topics:

    What if the future of inclusive technology isn’t just about who writes the code, but about how we partner with AI to create more diverse digital worlds, spatial environments, and XR experiences? Welcome to VIBE Coding – where artificial intelligence becomes your co-founder in building representation that matters across all dimensions of digital reality.

    This presentation will demonstrate how combining human creativity with AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT can democratize the creation of diverse datasets, inclusive imagery, representative digital avatars, immersive spatial environments, and accessible XR experiences – breaking down traditional barriers that have kept underrepresented voices out of the digital and virtual landscape.

    Presenter:
    Sonthia Coleman
    Sonthia Coleman is a retail strategist with 25+ years of experience driving merchandising innovation and digital transformation. As founder of The MVN Tech Group, she helps e-commerce brands integrate AI to improve operations and customer experiences. Backed by Google certifications in cloud, analytics, and project management, she blends industry expertise with data-driven solutions to solve complex business challenges.

  • Ecological AI: Imagining an alternative alignment by Delaney Martin

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    What would it mean to train AI on an ecosystem? Not on human knowledge and values, but on ecological data streams like rainforest sensor arrays, drone footage, bird calls, water-flow sonics and satellite canopy maps. Would we be building a model whose “corpus” is earth’s living system itself? Guided by experiences of reciprocity (nutrient cycles, pollination networks), competition (resource fights, predator/prey balances) cooperation (flocks, mycorrhizal networks), resilience (a forest reorganizing after a storm), what would alignment look like in this paradigm? How could this AI interact with human culture? Is this even a technical possibility? And what philosophical leaps could be made from there?

    Does the AI become a translator between human planning and ecological feedback, like a voice for the rain forest in policy or design? Or does it become a coordinating exo-organism, a nervous system for humanity, mapping “nutrient flows” in civic life and optimizing them in the way forests optimize light and soil nutrients? Would it decide that humanity is uniquely threatening earth’s balance and impose correctives that are contrary to our existence? Or could this AI re-wild us to be earth stewards at a 21st century scale?

    This talk will explore these questions, highlighting scientists and computer engineers beginning to consider such alternative frameworks, but also mapping out adjacent thinkers, communities, and threads of thought from fields like philosophy, art, indigenous knowledge and activism. Using her own ecologically-inspired AI application being built locally with engineer Ryan Meyers as a case study, Martin will conclude with a discussion of the kind of work we can do now – in our current capitalist/extractive circumstances – to move ourselves, and our AI, towards conditions that are conducive to life.

    Presenter:
    Delaney Martin
    Martin is best known as the co-founder of the artist-run, community arts organization New Orleans Airlift which she led from 2010-2022. She was a co-founding artist and the long-time creative director of the group’s celebrated Music Box Village. She also conceived many of their other spectacular happenings like New Water Music which was performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from shrimp boats dancing a ballet off the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. These multi-disciplinary projects were marked by wild collaborations that brought together artists and communities in the process of creation. Martin left the organization in 2023 and spent a year in the jungles of Colombia’s Caribbean coast with her family. There she seeded the idea for her current venture: An ecologically-inspired, AI-driven app for civic collaboration and community care. To this new endeavor she brings the superpower that has defined her career – uniting diverse collaborators in service to a vision and to a greater good. Martin holds a BA in Literature and Film Studies from University of Southern California and a Masters of Research from the London Consortium. Her work has been written about or discussed in many outlets including Art Papers, ARTnews, Artnet, The New York Times, The Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, NPR’s All Things Considered, Form Magazine, Dwell Magazine, Timeout London, The Face, Flux Magazine, Tank Magazine, The Huffington Post and The BBC World Service.

  • AI’s Role in Transforming Music & Film by DOMONIQUE-ALPHONZO STALEY

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    Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the music and film industries by streamlining creative, production, and distribution processes. For independent artists and filmmakers, AI offers powerful tools once reserved for large studios and labels—ranging from automated editing, sound design, and scriptwriting support to audience analytics and targeted marketing. This technology reduces costs, accelerates production timelines, and expands access to global audiences through smart recommendation systems and digital platforms. By lowering barriers to entry, AI empowers independent creators to compete on a larger scale, retain creative control, and capture more revenue opportunities in an increasingly digital marketplace.

    Presenter:
    DOMONIQUE-ALPHONZO STALEY
    Mr. Staley has more than twenty five years of experience as a consultant, Mr. Staley has lent his consulting expertise to various large-scale entertainment and/or sports related events, including: several carnivals & festivals such as, Black College Football Classic Tour, Jack the Rapper, Winter Music Conference, Puerto Rican Day Parade, West Indian Day Parade, Atlantic Beach, SC Bikefest, Uniontown, AL Summerfest and June Teenth. Mr. Staley’s experience covers a wide range of domestic and international events. Mr. Staley has participated in the planning of events throughout the world, including Europe, New Zealand, Japan, Jamaica WI, Caribbean Islands, and West Africa. Mr. Staley has worked and trained at various technology companies. He worked for Software Reproductions Technologies from 1999-2004. He was trained by Olof Wadehn and Jeff Bitsimis both owners of the company. Mr. Staley assist companies in getting funding for their projects. Mr. Staley’s unique understanding of cultural demographics gives him the ability to devise highly effective marketing and promotional campaigns. In addition to his broad consulting experience, Mr. Staley has also been involved in music tour planning and event management for over twenty years. His experience with the day-to-day operations, as well as the daily mechanics of planning and operating large-scale events, qualify him to manage and MOOD, Inc. and their projects. Skills & Expertise Global Entertainment Touring Carnivals / Fairs / Amusements Music Festivals Finance Audio / Visual Soundstage (mobile included) Consulting Producing, Recording and Mastering music Distribution / Sales of music and visual products Food / Drink / Merchandise Concessions Event Planning Event Management Film / Video Production Marketing / Promotions / Advertising Social Media Marketing Social Media Networking Fundraising Sports Event Planning & Management Public Speaking Community Development Community / Educational program development

  • Biomimicry: Using Nature to Develop New Technologies by Noshir Pesika

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    Nature has had approximately 3.5 billion years to evolve and come up with unique and highly efficient ways to overcome obstacles. As scientists, we can use Nature as a source of inspiration to develop new technologies, not necessarily completely replicating nature but rather using the underlying science to solve engineering problems. Throughout history, there have been many examples of how Nature has inspired new technologies. For examples, birds have inspired the design of airplanes, the way dolphins use echo-location has inspired the development of sonar, the way burdock seeds use their spiky surface to grip onto fibrous materials such as fur inspired the creation of Velcro, the way that lotus leaves repel water has inspired the fabrication of anti-wetting/staining fabrics and the structure of shark skin is currently being explored as a means to create anti-bacterial surfaces. This presentation will cover some of the ongoing research in the Pesika lab which includes the design and fabrication of reversible adhesives inspired by the gecko lizard footpad, the fabrication of ultra-low friction surfaces inspired by articular cartilage and the fabrication of water repellant surfaces inspired by the lotus leaf.

    Presenter:
    Noshir Pesika
    The overarching theme of the Pesika lab is the development of “smart” materials; i.e., materials that have been judiciously designed (through surface chemistry or topography) to perform a function when stimulated externally or offer enhanced properties based on their design. Our research group consists primarily of experimentalists although our approach relies heavily on a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics before the development of applied “smart” materials. Examples of such materials and applications include self-healing modular panels for space and lunar missions, biomimetic directional adhesives, anisotropic catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity, novel oil dispersant formulations which prevent oil from adhering to marine surfaces, water repellant surfaces, and ultra-low friction surfaces and lubricants formulations.

  • Rolling with Randomness: The Creative Chaos of WCMX & Adaptive Skate by Antonio Torres (Tony)

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    Adaptive athletes thrive in the unpredictable. In WCMX and adaptive skateboarding, every crash, misstep, or unplanned move can spark entirely new tricks never seen in BMX or skateboarding. This session explores how randomness in the park—unexpected drops, wild improvisations, and breakthrough moments—drives creativity, innovation, and the unique culture of experimentation that defines adaptive action sports.

    Presenter:
    Antonio Torres (Tony)
    Antonio Torres-Vanga (Tony) is an elite adaptive sports athlete, WCMX instructor, and founder of TNT 360 Mobility and Unified Motion Inc. Born with Spina Bifida, he has dedicated his life to breaking barriers in adaptive sports, mobility, and accessibility. With over a decade of experience in WCMX and adaptive skateboarding, Antonio has become a leader, educator, and advocate—helping athletes worldwide gain access to equipment, training, and opportunities. He also organizes clinics, competitions, and the upcoming Ride & Rise WCMX & Adaptive Skate Summit, shaping the future of inclusive action sports.

  • Engineering in a Post AI World by Daryl Roberts

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    Engineering in a Post-AI World explores what Applied AI Engineering looks like in this new era where state-of-the-art models are at our fingertips, ready to be adapted and integrated into real-world systems. Rather than being bogged down by every detail of gradient descent or traditional data science principles, this talk focuses on understanding the core building blocks such as tokenizers, embedders, multi-head attention, encoders, and decoders; learning how to confidently wield them to create meaningful applications.

    Drawing from recent experience teaching a full AI course to seasoned developers, this session highlights what truly matters when preparing engineers to think critically about AI integration. Attendees will come away with practical insights into cutting through the noise, building reliable agents, and recognizing that data collection and system design are not new problems—what’s new is learning to align them with what modern AI requires to be useful. The talk also emphasizes the importance of observability, human-in-the-loop practices, transparency, and evaluation, which have become essential disciplines in themselves in today’s AI landscape.

    Presenter:
    Daryl Roberts
    Daryl Roberts is the Head of AI at obney.ai, where he helps companies design and implement effective AI strategies through both consulting and hands-on engineering. His work spans language models, computer vision, and 3D analysis, with projects ranging from LiDAR-based object detection and medical imaging to complex agentic workflows and applied AI strategy. With experience in both engineering and executive advisory, Daryl specializes in translating cutting-edge AI research into practical, business-ready solutions. He has delivered AI systems across healthcare, construction, agriculture, and government, and has recently focused on teaching engineers how to think about AI in practice. He regularly speaks on what Applied AI Engineering looks like in the post-AI world and how organizations can integrate AI with reliability, transparency, and confidence.

  • PANEL: SustAInability in Action: AI, Policy, and Power

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    Experts from AI development, power supply, government, and/or sustainability sectors will spark an informed dialogue on balancing innovation with ecological responsibility. We will discuss real-world trade-offs, regulatory challenges, and emerging solutions. Attendees will be welcome to engage in the discussion for diverse perspectives and, in conclusion, will walk away with a deeper understanding of the cutting edge entanglement of AI and sustainable intelligences.

    Presenter:
    Johnnie James II
    Johnnie James II is a catalyst for sustainable innovation, blending entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community empowerment across technology and sustainability sectors. As Co-Founder and CEO of PoH Farms, he spearheads the U.S. launch of REEFBUDS® a patented, plant-based concrete technology credited with restoring coral reefs and coastal livelihoods for nearly two decades in the Philippines now expanding to the Gulf Coast. Under Johnnie’s leadership, PoH Farms holds exclusive global rights to REEFBUDS®, driving zero-waste agriculture and circular economy models for coastal resilience. A New Orleanian now based in Baton Rouge, Johnnie serves as Operations Coordinator at Operation Spark 501(c)(3), assisting individuals to access fast-track software careers and boasting alumni employment rates above 90%. He is also the creator of Glass Wars, a community art and competitive recycling initiative, which diverted over 41,000 pounds of glass from New Orleans landfills during its 2025 Mardi Bar Wars pilot. It aims for exponentially greater impact across Southeast Louisiana in 2026 with Mardi Bar Wars x Mardi Glass Wars seeking to divert over 200,000 pounds of glass from the trash. Johnnie’s dedication was forged in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where displacement to Albuquerque, New Mexico ignited a lifelong passion for sustainability and youth empowerment. He was invited to join the board of directors for the Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance (SGLA), before becoming the youngest facilitator in the world for the Pachamama Alliance Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium, which he introduced to the Deep South in New Orleans before age 25. His leadership has been recognized with honors including NOLAvate Black’s Tech 30 “Black Excellence Award” and membership on advisory councils for Tulane SOPA IT Department and the VA San Diego Mental Health Advocacy Council. At his core, Johnnie is a disciple, husband, 2x girl father, kingdom builder, poet, servant leader, and bridge-builder. He is committed to pursuing transformational change through sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.

  • AI and Sustainability: Perpetual Adversaries or Ultimate Collaborators? by Mike Sammartino

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    What are we missing in the fog of the data center wars? Through a holistic sustainability framework, we will examine the energy, water, social, and other resource demands of AI systems, provide a critical lens through which future AI infrastructure could proceed, and discuss how AI can help us achieve critical sustainability milestones. This presentation synthesizes insights from our related blog series and showcases how entangled intelligences can work together for our survival rather than against it.

    Presenter:
    Mike Sammartino
    Mike Sammartino is a sustainability-forward software developer based in New Orleans. After graduating Operation Spark’s Immersion Program, he overhauled a product search system at Coreware and is now the current maintainer of noladevs.org. He revitalizes old Apple computers and gives them away, avoiding the landfill and putting Reducing and Reusing in action. When not surfing Craigslist for the latest in 10 year old tech, you’ll find him biking around the city any given day.

  • Just Chat It, Bro by Jackson Dirks

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    It’s obvious with how accessible and easy to use AI has become that people may tend to over-use it, especially middle and high school students. Tedious homework, difficult papers, the list goes on with assignments that LLMs can complete for students in minutes, sometimes seconds. There’s even a new word, where to “chat” something has literally become a verb for using ChatGPT to do an assignment or assessment. With more and more students “chatting” their work, schools have grown more anti-AI and anti-technology than ever before. AI bans and phone bans have made it even harder to access the resource. The presentation will dive into this dynamic of using AI to work for you from a high school student’s perspective, and how it has the opportunity to be a tool that you can use to help you do your work if it is used ethically. The challenge? Getting to make all the teenagers decide to use it ethically rather than cut corners. My argument in the presentation is that there should be regulation set on the AI to check your age and school enrollment, in which case if a student is identified with using the software, it has built in metrics to prevent over-usage. There would be drawbacks to this system however, because of how difficult it is to set an exact brightline. There will always be workarounds, and if you try to limit them all you probably prevent many from being able to use the tool in specific ways that wouldn’t necessarily be unethical.

    Presenter:
    Jackson Dirks
    Jackson Dirks is a Senior in high school at Isidore Newman School. He is Co-Founder and President of FreeMind d/b/a Fabulinus Institute of Science and Technology.

  • It’s PostgreSQL all the way down by Christopher Aitken

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    You’ve got an app, and you’ve got AI- but you still need a database! In this talk, I’ll discuss the best ways of setting up a database with PostgreSQL for several AI use-cases. I’ll also discuss experiments with cramming vector-based search into non-relational databases.

    Presenter:
    Christopher Aitken
    Christopher Aitken is a senior software engineer with 10+ years experience based out of Apalachicola, FL. He enjoys developing serverless apps on AWS using React, Node.js, & PostgreSQL.

  • DebateLab.xyz: Revolutionizing Civil Discourse in the Digital Age by Barrington K Hebert

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    Discover how DebateLab.xyz is reshaping the way we engage in online dialogue through structured, fair, and thoughtful debate. This presentation explores the platform’s mission to elevate public discourse, its innovative format that encourages respectful exchange of ideas, and the technology powering it. Whether you’re an educator, developer, civic leader, or simply passionate about meaningful conversation, you’ll learn how DebateLab is creating space for voices to be heard—and ideas to be tested.

    Presenter:
    Barrington K Hebert
    Barrington K. Hebert B.A. Philosophy I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a musician from the band Raccoon City Massacre and I have been playing music in New Orleans for over a decade. I recently got into software engineering.

  • AI’s Green Revolution: Debunking Myths and Unlocking Environmental Solutions by Knud Berthelsen

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    This presentation will challenge the prevalent narrative that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a significant environmental threat due to its energy and water consumption. While acknowledging the resource demands of AI infrastructure, we will present compelling evidence that AI, when viewed holistically, often consumes less energy than the human activities it replaces or augments. We will demonstrate how modern AI models are achieving extraordinary efficiency gains, far outperforming earlier, less optimized versions often cited in negative press.
    Furthermore, this presentation will explore the profound positive environmental impact of AI, showcasing its transformative potential across multiple sectors:
    • Optimizing Energy Systems
    • Accelerating Scientific Discovery
    • Enhancing Conservation
    • Transforming Our Lived Environment

    Presenter:
    Knud Berthelsen
    Knud E. Berthelsen is a Professor of Practice at Tulane University with joint appointments in the Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor (SLAM) and the Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science (CAIDS). Professor Berthelsen teaches courses on applied generative AI (DATA 2150 Artificial Intelligence Tools TR at 9:30), and the impact of AI (SLAM 3912 AI and Society TR at 8:00 and 12:30), as well as workshops on how to work with AI. Prior to joining SLAM and CAIDS he taught international business and management of new ventures in the A. B. Freeman School of Business. His current consulting focus is on applied AI, helping organizations and individuals leverage AI tools to enhance their operations and decision-making. A native of Norway, Berthelsen holds a BA in European and American Studies from the University of Oslo and an MBA in International Business, Strategic Management, and Leadership from Tulane University.

  • The Future of AI flows through Louisiana by Curtis Cummings

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    In this talk, Curtis Cummings explores a vision for building a sustainable future for Louisiana’s software developers by establishing community computer centers that function as localized AI data hubs. These centers would provide accessible computing power for training and running AI models, enabling developers, educators, and entrepreneurs to innovate without relying on major tech corporations. By decentralizing infrastructure and investing in community-driven resources, Curtis outlines how Louisiana can cultivate homegrown talent, strengthen digital resilience, and position itself as a leader in equitable, locally powered AI and software development.

    Presenter:
    Curtis Cummings
    Curtis Cummings is a technology leader and nonprofit founder dedicated to advancing the digital economy in New Orleans. As a founding memeber of New Orleans Game Developers (NOGD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, he has built programs and partnerships that support local talent in game development, software engineering, and digital media. His current work focuses on creating sustainable models for software development through the establishment of community computer centers—localized infrastructures that function as mini AI data centers. By enabling communities to train and run models independently, Curtis advocates for a future where New Orleans can reduce reliance on large technology corporations while fostering innovation, equity, and resilience in its tech ecosystem.

  • No Robot! Teaching toddlers about AI by Blake Bertuccelli-Booth

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    Even toddlers can learn about AI. “No Robot! Teaching Toddlers about AI” is a presentation about a children’s book where a silly robot learns words like real AI — hearing, remembering, and then making funny mistakes. The book helps toddlers build vocabulary, laugh at the robot’s mix-ups, and begin to understand that AI also makes errors and needs correction.

    Presenter:
    Blake Bertuccelli-Booth
    Blake Bertuccelli-Booth works in machine learning and is the founder of the New Orleans AI Festival (NOAI). He leads AI for Every Student, an initiative bringing AI literacy to thousands of kids. Blake lives between New Orleans, Chicago, and Western Massachusetts with his wife, Grace, and their daughter, Willa.

  • Opening Remarks

    Let’s get our day started right! Join us for coffee and opening remarks.

    Presenter:
    Jakeel Abdullah
    Jakeel Abdullah is a seasoned leader and influential advocate from Louisiana, renowned for his extensive contributions to both local and global communities. With a wealth of experience in community engagement, Jakeel has played pivotal roles on various committees and boards, championing causes that transcend geographical and societal boundaries. His commitment spans diverse areas, encompassing disability rights, advocacy, and the empowerment of marginalized populations.