Annual AI & Analytics Online Symposium: Mind Meets Machines

• The Annual AI & Analytics Online Symposium is centered on the integration of AI in decision-making.
• Balamurugan Balakreshnan will discuss Microsoft’s transformative Agentic AI.
• DJ Wu will present a model on incentivizing creators in the AI landscape.
• Dokyun Lee warns about treating large language models as human surrogates.
• A panel discussion will address practical AI applications in business.

Exploring the Synergy Between Humans and Machines

Understanding AI’s Role in Decision Making As we gather for the Annual AI & Analytics Online Symposium, the spotlight shines on a fast-evolving landscape: artificial intelligence and analytics are no longer distant prospects but rather essential elements of decision-making across industries. The central question isn’t about whether we’ll work alongside machines but how effectively we can foster this collaboration. There’s a palpable excitement in the air, with a packed agenda promising insightful discussions and innovative ideas that explore the partnership between data, algorithms, and human insights. Attendees can expect a rich array of keynote talks, substantive research findings, and stimulating panel debates—each aimed at unveiling the myriad realities, hurdles, and breakthroughs of harmonizing human and machine intelligence.

Innovative Approaches to AI in Business

Keynote Insights: Transforming Business Innovation Kicking off the event, our first industry keynote will be delivered by Balamurugan Balakreshnan, the Chief Architect at Microsoft. His presentation, titled Agentic AI and IT’s Use Cases,

The Academic Perspective on Content Creation and AI

will delve into a remarkable shift in how AI is reshaping business landscapes. Balamurugan will highlight Microsoft’s Agentic AI, a bold step that combines autonomous agents with human aspirations, ultimately driving innovation and productivity. Think tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure AI Foundry Agents; these technologies are designed to take on repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance workflows across various sectors. Following that, DJ Wu from Georgia Tech will take the stage for the academic keynote. Wu’s research tackles a pressing issue: how should platforms adapt revenue-sharing to fairly incentivize content creators when AI steps into the creation arena? Through a clever game-theoretic model, he will unravel potential pitfalls that could arise when AI’s capabilities may inadvertently lead creators to reduce their effort, posing significant challenges for platforms and societal welfare.

Diving into AI’s Practical Applications in Today’s Business World

The day continues to unfold with a cautionary tale from Dokyun Lee, an associate professor at Boston University, who will present research insights on the risks of employing large language models as human stand-ins. He critically assesses whether these AI tools truly mimic human behavior in economic settings, revealing that while LLMs often appear to replicate reasoning patterns, they fundamentally lack the depth of human cognition that arises from lived experiences. It’s a sobering analysis, warning us about the unpredictability inherent in LLMs and the diverse reasons they might fail to emulate human interactions accurately. Finally, we’ll cap off the symposium with a panel discussion titled, “Reality Check: Where AI Meets Business.” That session will feature industry leaders like Sandeep Gangarapu, Timothy Johnson, and Waqar Hasan, moderated by Scott Schanke, allowing attendees to consider practical considerations and realities that must be navigated when implementing AI solutions in business.

The Annual AI & Analytics Online Symposium sets the stage for vital discussions surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence in various sectors. With a lineup featuring experts addressing both opportunities and cautionary tales, attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to collaborate with machines in their professional practices. As AI rapidly evolves, engaging with these insights becomes crucial for businesses and innovators alike.