More than 400 attendees gathered at the Sharonville Convention Center in suburban Cincinnati on May 5 for the University of Cincinnati Center for Business Analytics and AI’s 14th annual Analytics and AI Summit.
The event brought together industry leaders, academics, and professionals to discuss how strong data foundations are essential for meaningful artificial intelligence. Keynotes from representatives of 84.51° and Microsoft, along with a panel discussion, breakout sessions, networking events, and a closing social focused on preparing organizations to become “AI-ready” by strengthening culture, data management, governance, and processes.
Executive Director Georgette Angulo-Ramirez said: “Strong data and stronger AI is a mantra for human-centered AI transformation.” Academic Director Dungang Liu encouraged participants to engage with the center’s network of experts. “Bring us your ideas, your bold questions and your disruptive thinking,” he said.
Milen Mahadevan, president and CEO of 84.51º as well as Kroger’s chief data and AI officer, delivered the morning keynote. He outlined six building blocks for an effective AI foundation: data readiness, leadership alignment, operating model development, governance structures, talent strategy planning, and reinvention efforts. Mahadevan said: “AI will not wait for any of us to be ready. The winners won’t be organizations with perfect plans but ones that understand what works for them. Build the foundation, build momentum and keep adapting.” He also advised students to develop human-centered skills alongside technical expertise: “We need more intangibles than tangibles. We need to focus on leadership qualities, empathy and real emotion.”
A panel moderated by Scott Dust included Patrice Borders (AmplifyEI), Jennifer Craddock (Great American Insurance Group), and Tara Marotti (Burke Inc.), who discussed maintaining a human-centered approach as workplaces adopt more advanced technology. Craddock said: “Leaders are treating this like just another process or technology change… It’s a mindset and belief shift… We’re not just asking people to change processes or use different tools. We’re asking them to change the way they think and perform.” Borders emphasized creating safe spaces at work: “Their discernment should not be categorized as dissent or a lack of innovation…” Marotti urged curiosity from leaders: “Ask the questions… How is it going to serve us? How relevant is it in the marketplace?”
Ryan Rosensweig from Microsoft gave an afternoon keynote describing how organizations are moving beyond isolated pilot projects toward integrating artificial intelligence into core operations across industries through what he called “frontier transformation.” Rosensweig stated that scaling these technologies now depends less on access than on clarity in implementation.
The summit highlighted ongoing collaboration between academia and industry through initiatives like those led by UC’s Center for Business Analytics & AI.