Q&A with David Spark, Content Marketer and Producer, Managing Editor at Spark Media Solutions

David Spark, Content Marketer and Producer, Managing Editor at Spark Media Solutions is a veteran tech journalist and founder of Spark Media Solutions. He’s been the creative director, producer, voice, and face of many content marketing campaigns for a number of Fortune 1000 B2B tech companies.

MEDIA 7: What part of your background, personality, experience, or skill set makes you a particularly effective content marketing professional?
DAVID SPARK:

• Veteran technology journalist (worked across all media)
• Former advertising exec
• Former standup comedian and comedy writer

M7: What inspires you to come up with new ideas for blog posts, campaigns, tech, and media podcasts?
DS:
Inspiration is dependent on the project, the output, and the medium. But in general, I’m inspired by finding a topic/question that the audience will eagerly want to answer. Two of our most popular examples:

CISO Series – This is a media channel we started in October 2018 that we tout as couples counseling for security practitioners and vendors. We have such a passionate audience that they’re submitting a steady flow of questions, commentary, and games for our two podcasts. The CISO Series has provided the forum for our audience to be inspired.

“Man on the street” videos – It’s our most popular video format. We’ve produced close to 200 of these and my goal with these videos is to come up with a question where the first reaction is to laugh and then an eagerness about responding. It could be a challenge question (e.g., “What would happen if you left your mobile phone at home for an entire day?”, or something completely inappropriate for the environment (e.g., asking “What’s Your Password?” at a security conference).


"This whole attitude of “let’s try it with one and see how it works out” is a failed strategy out of the gate."

M7: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the content marketing space since you first started in Chicago as a comedy writer for The Second City? 
DS:
 Not related to comedy, but the biggest change I’ve seen in content marketing was that the work moved in house. We started business in 2007 and most of my sales pitches were trying to explain the value of content marketing which at the time I referred to as brand journalism. By 2012 all of our current and past clients finally got it and stopped outsourcing the majority of their content marketing efforts. That forced us in 2013 to change our business model to specialize in certain industry sectors and be more product-focused. People now hire us because they want our style of production and access to our industry connections specifically in B2B tech and cybersecurity.

M7: As a Content Marketer & Managing Editor at Spark Media Solutions, how much content are you personally creating versus managing?
DS:
 I’m doing the majority of it, but I bring in audio editors, designers, video editors, and now I have a sponsored segment producer for the CISO Series. I’m constantly pitched, but no one ever actually pitches in our style. I reject all offers for guest posts. I’m extremely protective of my brand.


"The only way you create great content is you have to make a lot of bad content first."

M7: What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned about content creation/management over the last few years?
DS: 
The only way you create great content is you have to make a lot of bad content first. Nobody is amazing out of the gate. This is especially true about video production. For those getting into video, I highly recommend producing home movies first. The reason is those first videos will be awful, but your audience (your family) will love the videos no matter how bad they are.

M7: Could you tell us more about your book, “Three Feet from Seven Figures: One-on-One Engagement Techniques to Qualify More Leads at Trade Shows”?
DS:
A huge majority of the work we do is at trade shows where we see a lot of behavior that is far from optimal.
At big trade shows, companies are dropping six to seven figures to have a presence at the conference. The cost per hour to be on the floor is extraordinary. So much is spent on booth production, travel, and staffing, but it appears nothing is spent on training people on how to actually behave at a trade show. It pains me when I see booth staffers staring at their phones, turning their back to the floor, or getting in huddles and talking with fellow coworkers. All these behaviors scream, “We don’t want to talk with you, potential customer who is walking past us just three feet away.”
The book offers techniques on how to engage with random people as they walk by your booth and quickly qualify or disqualify them.
The engagement techniques from the book became very popular, so we built upon them and made them usable by anyone in a training program we created called “Business Networking Pickup Lines”.


"In the entire history of media, with the exception of feature movies, no media brand becomes successful with one magazine issue, one radio show, one article, or one of anything."

M7: How has Spark Media Solutions been experimenting with new approaches/content formats/platforms? Are there any campaigns/programs you can give as examples?
DS:
Our survival is based on coming up with different media products and one of our core philosophies is “single effort/many units of content.” So if we’re hired to produce one video we’ll pitch more assets such as let’s turn it into highlights clips, transcripts, memes, photos, and more.
Here’s a good case study we did on a product we created called “Crowd-tooned”.
And here’s one of our most popular articles that speaks to our most popular production model: “21 Tips for Producing Funny ‘Man on the Street’ Videos”.

M7: What are the biggest mistakes you see new content marketers making consistently?
DS:
 Thinking you can be successful with one of anything. This whole attitude of “let’s try it with one and see how it works out” is a failed strategy out of the gate. In the entire history of media, with the exception of feature movies, no media brand becomes successful with one magazine issue, one radio show, one article, or one of anything. Why does a company that has no media experience whatsoever think they’re actually going to pull off what’s never happened in the history of media ever?


ABOUT SPARK MEDIA SOLUTIONS

Spark Media Solutions is a B2B content marketing agency for the tech industry. Content marketers that have perfected the model of building influencer relations through content. When dedicated to building an editorial voice, our clients have become the leading corporate media brand for their industry. We've worked with companies such as HP, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Juniper Networks, Symantec, Indycar, LinkedIn, Citrix, IDG, Dice, and many more. Our most popular service is live event reporting and production.

More THOUGHT LEADERS

‘AI is expected to revolutionize everything in the contemporary world,’ asserts Vladimer Botsvadze

Media 7 | August 3, 2023

Vladimer Botsvadze is a globally recognized digital transformation and social media influencer. With over 15 years of international marketing and innovation experience, he has successfully guided executives and top brands worldwide to drive growth and become market leaders. Read on to know his thoughts about the importance of upskilling and reskilling individuals with AI/ML talent....

Read More

'Marketing has become multi-dimensional,' says Anirudh Sharma Marketing Director at Trantor

Media 7 | July 7, 2022

In this interview with Anirudh Sharma, Marketing Director at Trantor, we had the opportunity to explore how the marketing landscape has evolved. Read on to learn more about the importance of market attribution, audience building, specialized marketing, conversion funnel optimization, and more....

Read More

Design thinking allows for out-of-the-box ideas, says Avenue Code's Holly Camponez

Media 7 | March 14, 2022

Design thinking is one of the best strategies for product innovation because of its problem-solving approach specific to design. In this interview with Media 7, Holly Camponez, Director of Creative Services at Avenue Code, shares a few insights into creating end-to-end development solutions with the right approach towards design. Read on to find out how to spearhead digital transformations with design thinking....

Read More

‘AI is expected to revolutionize everything in the contemporary world,’ asserts Vladimer Botsvadze

Media 7 | August 3, 2023

Vladimer Botsvadze is a globally recognized digital transformation and social media influencer. With over 15 years of international marketing and innovation experience, he has successfully guided executives and top brands worldwide to drive growth and become market leaders. Read on to know his thoughts about the importance of upskilling and reskilling individuals with AI/ML talent....

Read More

'Marketing has become multi-dimensional,' says Anirudh Sharma Marketing Director at Trantor

Media 7 | July 7, 2022

In this interview with Anirudh Sharma, Marketing Director at Trantor, we had the opportunity to explore how the marketing landscape has evolved. Read on to learn more about the importance of market attribution, audience building, specialized marketing, conversion funnel optimization, and more....

Read More

Design thinking allows for out-of-the-box ideas, says Avenue Code's Holly Camponez

Media 7 | March 14, 2022

Design thinking is one of the best strategies for product innovation because of its problem-solving approach specific to design. In this interview with Media 7, Holly Camponez, Director of Creative Services at Avenue Code, shares a few insights into creating end-to-end development solutions with the right approach towards design. Read on to find out how to spearhead digital transformations with design thinking....

Read More

Related News

Software

ON24 Unveils its Next Generation Platform, Unleashing a New Era of AI-powered Intelligent Engagement

ON24 | January 24, 2024

Today, ON24 marks the next chapter of its innovation strategy with the launch of its next generation intelligent engagement platform. With AI-powered intelligence at the core, ON24 will now enable enterprises to continuously engage audiences through hyper-personalized experiences that deliver connected insights and drive cost-efficient revenue growth. “AI will fundamentally reshape sales and marketing and reimagine the customer experience. This means that sales and marketing teams must embrace AI to innovate and adapt, or risk being left behind,” says Sharat Sharan, co-founder, President and CEO. “With the launch of the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform, we are excited to leverage our unique foundation of first-party data to give our industry-leading customers an AI advantage, so that they can combine best-in-class experiences, personalization and content, to capture and act on connected data and insights at scale to drive revenue growth. And, we believe AI will continue to be a key differentiation for our own business and technology strategy moving forward, powering a new era of intelligent engagement.” Built on its foundation of first-party data, the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform combines best-in-class digital experiences, including the company’s flagship webinar, virtual event and content marketing products, with its new AI-powered Analytics and Content Engine (ACE) to provide an integrated go-to-market solution. The platform’s comprehensive set of capabilities will help sales and marketing teams to: Scale personalized experiences: Build best-in-class, branded experiences that reach their prospects and customers at scale and are hyper-personalized for individuals. Automate continuous engagement: Interact with prospects and customers 24/7 through AI-generated content and always-on nurtures. Deliver connected insights: Track audience engagement data across interactions and analyze engagement across key audience segments. Drive revenue growth: Enable data-driven actions across go-to-market teams to generate pipeline and build lifetime customer relationships. “Today’s launch of the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform brings our AI innovation together with more than a decade of market leadership, product development and first-party engagement data,” said Jayesh Sahasi, EVP of Product and CTO at ON24. “We believe this will unlock even greater value for our customers, providing AI-powered intelligence that keeps getting smarter, more personalized and more effective over time." ​​About ON24 ON24 is on a mission to help businesses bring their go-to-market strategy into the AI era and drive cost-effective revenue growth. Through its leading intelligent engagement platform, ON24 enables customers to combine best-in-class experiences with personalization and content, to capture and act on connected insights at scale. ON24 provides industry-leading companies, including 3 of the 5 largest global technology companies, 3 of the 5 top global asset management firms, 3 of the 5 largest global healthcare companies and 3 of the 5 largest global industrial companies, with a valuable source of first-party data to drive sales and marketing innovation, improve efficiency and increase business results. Headquartered in San Francisco, ON24 has offices globally in North America, EMEA and APAC. For more information, visit www.ON24.com.

Read More

AI Tech

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces leading Speaker Lineup

TechEx Events | March 07, 2024

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces new speakers! SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TheAI and Big Expo North America, the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP, has announced a fresh cohort of distinguishedspeakersfor its upcoming conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on June 5-6, 2024. Some of the top industry speakers set to take the stage are: - Sam Hamilton - Head of Data & AI – Visa - Dr Astha Purohit - Director - Product (Tech) Ops – Walmart - Noorddin Taj - Head of Architecture and Design of Intelligent Operations - BP - Temi Odesanya - Director - AI Governance Automation - Thomson Reuters - Katie Sanders - Assistant Vice President – Tech - Union Pacific Railroad - Prasanth Nandanuru – SVP - Wells Fargo - Rodney Brooks - Professor Emeritus - MIT These esteemed speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to an already impressive lineup, promising attendees a truly enlightening experience. In addition to the speakers, theAI and Big Data Expo North Americawill feature a series of presentations covering a diverse range of topics in AI and Big Data exploring the latest innovations, implementations and strategies across a range of industries. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical strategies from presentations such as: How Gen AI Positively Augments Workforce Capabilities Trends in Computer Vision: Applications, Datasets, and Models Getting to Production-Ready: Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI Ensuring Your AI is Responsible and Ethical Mitigating Bias and Promoting Fairness in AI Systems Security Challenges in the Era of Gen AI and Data Science AI for Good: Social Impact and Ethics Selling Data Democratization to Executives Spreading Data Insights across the Business Barriers to Overcome: People, Processes, and Technology Optimizing the Customer Experience with AI Using AI to Drive Growth in a Regulated Industry Building an MLOps Foundation for AI at Scale The Expo offers a platform for exploration and discovery, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, transport, supply chain, government, legal sectors, financial services, energy, utilities, insurance, healthcare, retail, and more. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of AI and Big Data across various sectors, gaining insights that are crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Anticipating a turnout of over 7000 attendees and featuring 200 speakers across various tracks, AI and Big Data Expo North America offers a unique opportunity for CTO’s, CDO’s, CIO’s , Heads of IOT, AI /ML, IT Directors and tech enthusiasts to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in AI, Big Data and related technologies. Organized by TechEx Events, the conference will also feature six co-located events, including the IoT Tech Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Cyber Security & Cloud Congress, Digital Transformation Week, and Edge Computing Expo, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape. Attendees can choose from various ticket options, providing access to engaging sessions, the bustling expo floor, premium tracks featuring industry leaders, a VIP networking party, and a sophisticated networking app facilitating connections ahead of the event. Secure your ticket with a 25% discount on tickets, available until March 31st, 2024. Save up to $300 on your ticket and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and Big Data technologies. For more information and to secure your place at AI and Big Data Expo North America, please visit https://www.ai-expo.net/northamerica/. About AI and Big Data Expo North America: The AI and Big Data Expo North America is a leading event in the AI and Big Data landscape, serving as a nexus for professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts to explore and navigate the ever-evolving technological frontier. Through its focus on education, networking, and collaboration, the Expo continues to be a beacon for those eager to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. “AI and Big Data Expo North Americais a part ofTechEx. For more information regardingTechExplease see onlinehere.”

Read More

AI Tech

Qlik Launches AI Council to Responsibly Accelerate Enterprise Adoption of AI

Qlik | January 25, 2024

<p> Qlik, a global leader in data analytics and integration, today announces the establishment of its inaugural AI Council &ndash; an initiative that further embeds leading edge, ethical AI development at the heart of the company&rsquo;s mission and industry proposition. By convening a distinguished set of advisors, Qlik will accelerate the responsible development of its AI-driven product portfolio, benefitting from the expertise of some of the world&rsquo;s most prominent AI experts, to help customers use their data to achieve more significant business outcomes.</p> <p> Qlik&rsquo;s Generative AI Benchmark Report found that 31% of senior executives plan to spend over $10 million on generative AI initiatives in the coming year and 79% have already invested in generative AI tools or projects. Despite this enthusiasm, it also found that they understand the need to surround them with the right data strategies to realize their potential. If the data building blocks of AI are not governed properly as it is democratized across the entire workforce, it could present a serious threat to the efficiency and integrity of business operations. The AI Council has been established to help Qlik&rsquo;s customers navigate these challenges and advise on best practices.</p> <p> Members of the Council will work within Qlik to guide the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D direction, inform its product roadmap and ensure its customers&rsquo; use of Qlik&rsquo;s AI is built with responsibility and ethics front of mind. The Council will also educate Qlik leaders and employees on how to harness the full potential of AI, while providing insights into the priorities of business leaders tasked with demonstrating value from AI investment.</p> <p> The AI Council features some of the most renowned subject matter experts from around the world. More information on these members can be found on our Qlik Staige website:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Nina Schick &ndash; Author, Advisor and Founder of an advisory firm focused on GenAI</strong><br /> A world-leading authority on generative AI, Nina has long been analyzing emerging technology trends for society. With over two decades of geopolitical experience, she has advised global leaders, including Joe Biden, President of the United States, and was articulating her vision of the &lsquo;AI inflexion point&rsquo; years before ChatGPT made AI a global phenomenon.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Rumman Chowdhury &ndash; Responsible AI leader, engineer, auditor and investor</strong><br /> Rumman is a pioneer in the field of applied algorithmic ethics, creating cutting-edge socio-technical solutions for ethical, explainable and transparent AI. She is currently the CEO and founder of Humane Intelligence, a tech nonprofit that builds a community of practice around algorithmic evaluations. She has also served on multiple boards, including the UK Center for Data Ethics and Innovation, and on UN&rsquo;s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, Oxford University&rsquo;s Commission on AI and Governance, and Patterns data science journal. Previously, Rumman was the Director of META (ML Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability) team at Twitter, leading a team of applied researchers and engineers to identify and mitigate algorithmic harms on the platform.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Kelly Forbes &ndash; Co-Founder and Executive Director, AI Asia Pacific Institute</strong><br /> Kelly sits at the intersection of policy, research and industry, working with leading organizations and governments to address the risks associated with AI through international cooperation. With extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, Kelly has conducted research on AI governance, public-private dialogue and government policy issues.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Michael Bronstein &ndash; DeepMind Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford</strong><br /> An award-winning academic, Michael was previously Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter, a professor at Imperial College London and has held visiting appointments at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. Michael is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded startups such as Novafora, Invision (acquired by Intel in 2012), Videocites and Fabula AI (acquired by Twitter in 2019).</li> </ul> <p> &quot;The formation of Qlik&#39;s AI Council is a strategic leap, reflecting our deep-seated commitment to not just advancing AI, but doing so with ethical integrity and practical applicability,&quot; said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. &quot;Our goal is crystal clear: to enable our customers to harness AI in a way that&#39;s not only transformative, but also responsible. By uniting a cadre of AI luminaries, we are sharpening our focus on delivering AI solutions that are not just cutting-edge, but also seamlessly integrated and governed. This initiative is a pivotal chapter in our journey, marking a bold move towards democratizing AI in a manner that is both accessible and aligned with our core mission of driving substantial, data-driven business outcomes.&quot;</p> <p> Data and analytics leaders from around the world can hear from the AI Council at Qlik Connect, which takes place on June 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. At the pre-eminent event for data analytics, integration, and AI, Council members will share their take on the opportunities and challenges for businesses exploring the value of automation in their data strategy. Additional details and event registration is at www.qlikconnect.com</p> <p> &ldquo;I am excited to join Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council and work with some of the greatest minds in AI to optimize how businesses around the world use data,&rdquo; said Rumman Chowdhury, member of Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reached an inflection point where innovations like generative AI are impacting the world as the internet did. This is not the time for complacency. &lsquo;Adopting AI&rsquo; is not as simple as some suggest, but getting left behind is a risky game. By taking responsible steps, organizations can enter an era of unprecedented innovation &ndash; I look forward to being able to contribute to this evolution.&rdquo;</p> <p> &ldquo;In working at JBS USA, I recognize the significance of Qlik&#39;s advancements in AI, embodying a responsible and pragmatic approach to enterprise AI development,&rdquo; said Stephanie Robinson, IT Business Intelligence Manager at JBS. &ldquo;Qlik&#39;s dedication to enhancing AI applications aligns with our focus on employing technology to drive substantial business outcomes. We value Qlik&#39;s commitment to ethical AI practices and are optimistic about the beneficial impact this will have on the industry.&rdquo;</p> <p> <strong>About Qlik</strong><br /> Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio leverages advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML and pervasive data quality. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.</p> <p> 2024 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.</p> <p> The development, release and timing of any product or functionality described herein remain at the sole discretion of Qlik and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision.</p>

Read More

Software

ON24 Unveils its Next Generation Platform, Unleashing a New Era of AI-powered Intelligent Engagement

ON24 | January 24, 2024

Today, ON24 marks the next chapter of its innovation strategy with the launch of its next generation intelligent engagement platform. With AI-powered intelligence at the core, ON24 will now enable enterprises to continuously engage audiences through hyper-personalized experiences that deliver connected insights and drive cost-efficient revenue growth. “AI will fundamentally reshape sales and marketing and reimagine the customer experience. This means that sales and marketing teams must embrace AI to innovate and adapt, or risk being left behind,” says Sharat Sharan, co-founder, President and CEO. “With the launch of the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform, we are excited to leverage our unique foundation of first-party data to give our industry-leading customers an AI advantage, so that they can combine best-in-class experiences, personalization and content, to capture and act on connected data and insights at scale to drive revenue growth. And, we believe AI will continue to be a key differentiation for our own business and technology strategy moving forward, powering a new era of intelligent engagement.” Built on its foundation of first-party data, the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform combines best-in-class digital experiences, including the company’s flagship webinar, virtual event and content marketing products, with its new AI-powered Analytics and Content Engine (ACE) to provide an integrated go-to-market solution. The platform’s comprehensive set of capabilities will help sales and marketing teams to: Scale personalized experiences: Build best-in-class, branded experiences that reach their prospects and customers at scale and are hyper-personalized for individuals. Automate continuous engagement: Interact with prospects and customers 24/7 through AI-generated content and always-on nurtures. Deliver connected insights: Track audience engagement data across interactions and analyze engagement across key audience segments. Drive revenue growth: Enable data-driven actions across go-to-market teams to generate pipeline and build lifetime customer relationships. “Today’s launch of the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform brings our AI innovation together with more than a decade of market leadership, product development and first-party engagement data,” said Jayesh Sahasi, EVP of Product and CTO at ON24. “We believe this will unlock even greater value for our customers, providing AI-powered intelligence that keeps getting smarter, more personalized and more effective over time." ​​About ON24 ON24 is on a mission to help businesses bring their go-to-market strategy into the AI era and drive cost-effective revenue growth. Through its leading intelligent engagement platform, ON24 enables customers to combine best-in-class experiences with personalization and content, to capture and act on connected insights at scale. ON24 provides industry-leading companies, including 3 of the 5 largest global technology companies, 3 of the 5 top global asset management firms, 3 of the 5 largest global healthcare companies and 3 of the 5 largest global industrial companies, with a valuable source of first-party data to drive sales and marketing innovation, improve efficiency and increase business results. Headquartered in San Francisco, ON24 has offices globally in North America, EMEA and APAC. For more information, visit www.ON24.com.

Read More

AI Tech

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces leading Speaker Lineup

TechEx Events | March 07, 2024

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces new speakers! SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TheAI and Big Expo North America, the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP, has announced a fresh cohort of distinguishedspeakersfor its upcoming conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on June 5-6, 2024. Some of the top industry speakers set to take the stage are: - Sam Hamilton - Head of Data & AI – Visa - Dr Astha Purohit - Director - Product (Tech) Ops – Walmart - Noorddin Taj - Head of Architecture and Design of Intelligent Operations - BP - Temi Odesanya - Director - AI Governance Automation - Thomson Reuters - Katie Sanders - Assistant Vice President – Tech - Union Pacific Railroad - Prasanth Nandanuru – SVP - Wells Fargo - Rodney Brooks - Professor Emeritus - MIT These esteemed speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to an already impressive lineup, promising attendees a truly enlightening experience. In addition to the speakers, theAI and Big Data Expo North Americawill feature a series of presentations covering a diverse range of topics in AI and Big Data exploring the latest innovations, implementations and strategies across a range of industries. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical strategies from presentations such as: How Gen AI Positively Augments Workforce Capabilities Trends in Computer Vision: Applications, Datasets, and Models Getting to Production-Ready: Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI Ensuring Your AI is Responsible and Ethical Mitigating Bias and Promoting Fairness in AI Systems Security Challenges in the Era of Gen AI and Data Science AI for Good: Social Impact and Ethics Selling Data Democratization to Executives Spreading Data Insights across the Business Barriers to Overcome: People, Processes, and Technology Optimizing the Customer Experience with AI Using AI to Drive Growth in a Regulated Industry Building an MLOps Foundation for AI at Scale The Expo offers a platform for exploration and discovery, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, transport, supply chain, government, legal sectors, financial services, energy, utilities, insurance, healthcare, retail, and more. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of AI and Big Data across various sectors, gaining insights that are crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Anticipating a turnout of over 7000 attendees and featuring 200 speakers across various tracks, AI and Big Data Expo North America offers a unique opportunity for CTO’s, CDO’s, CIO’s , Heads of IOT, AI /ML, IT Directors and tech enthusiasts to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in AI, Big Data and related technologies. Organized by TechEx Events, the conference will also feature six co-located events, including the IoT Tech Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Cyber Security & Cloud Congress, Digital Transformation Week, and Edge Computing Expo, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape. Attendees can choose from various ticket options, providing access to engaging sessions, the bustling expo floor, premium tracks featuring industry leaders, a VIP networking party, and a sophisticated networking app facilitating connections ahead of the event. Secure your ticket with a 25% discount on tickets, available until March 31st, 2024. Save up to $300 on your ticket and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and Big Data technologies. For more information and to secure your place at AI and Big Data Expo North America, please visit https://www.ai-expo.net/northamerica/. About AI and Big Data Expo North America: The AI and Big Data Expo North America is a leading event in the AI and Big Data landscape, serving as a nexus for professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts to explore and navigate the ever-evolving technological frontier. Through its focus on education, networking, and collaboration, the Expo continues to be a beacon for those eager to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. “AI and Big Data Expo North Americais a part ofTechEx. For more information regardingTechExplease see onlinehere.”

Read More

AI Tech

Qlik Launches AI Council to Responsibly Accelerate Enterprise Adoption of AI

Qlik | January 25, 2024

<p> Qlik, a global leader in data analytics and integration, today announces the establishment of its inaugural AI Council &ndash; an initiative that further embeds leading edge, ethical AI development at the heart of the company&rsquo;s mission and industry proposition. By convening a distinguished set of advisors, Qlik will accelerate the responsible development of its AI-driven product portfolio, benefitting from the expertise of some of the world&rsquo;s most prominent AI experts, to help customers use their data to achieve more significant business outcomes.</p> <p> Qlik&rsquo;s Generative AI Benchmark Report found that 31% of senior executives plan to spend over $10 million on generative AI initiatives in the coming year and 79% have already invested in generative AI tools or projects. Despite this enthusiasm, it also found that they understand the need to surround them with the right data strategies to realize their potential. If the data building blocks of AI are not governed properly as it is democratized across the entire workforce, it could present a serious threat to the efficiency and integrity of business operations. The AI Council has been established to help Qlik&rsquo;s customers navigate these challenges and advise on best practices.</p> <p> Members of the Council will work within Qlik to guide the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D direction, inform its product roadmap and ensure its customers&rsquo; use of Qlik&rsquo;s AI is built with responsibility and ethics front of mind. The Council will also educate Qlik leaders and employees on how to harness the full potential of AI, while providing insights into the priorities of business leaders tasked with demonstrating value from AI investment.</p> <p> The AI Council features some of the most renowned subject matter experts from around the world. More information on these members can be found on our Qlik Staige website:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Nina Schick &ndash; Author, Advisor and Founder of an advisory firm focused on GenAI</strong><br /> A world-leading authority on generative AI, Nina has long been analyzing emerging technology trends for society. With over two decades of geopolitical experience, she has advised global leaders, including Joe Biden, President of the United States, and was articulating her vision of the &lsquo;AI inflexion point&rsquo; years before ChatGPT made AI a global phenomenon.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Rumman Chowdhury &ndash; Responsible AI leader, engineer, auditor and investor</strong><br /> Rumman is a pioneer in the field of applied algorithmic ethics, creating cutting-edge socio-technical solutions for ethical, explainable and transparent AI. She is currently the CEO and founder of Humane Intelligence, a tech nonprofit that builds a community of practice around algorithmic evaluations. She has also served on multiple boards, including the UK Center for Data Ethics and Innovation, and on UN&rsquo;s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, Oxford University&rsquo;s Commission on AI and Governance, and Patterns data science journal. Previously, Rumman was the Director of META (ML Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability) team at Twitter, leading a team of applied researchers and engineers to identify and mitigate algorithmic harms on the platform.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Kelly Forbes &ndash; Co-Founder and Executive Director, AI Asia Pacific Institute</strong><br /> Kelly sits at the intersection of policy, research and industry, working with leading organizations and governments to address the risks associated with AI through international cooperation. With extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, Kelly has conducted research on AI governance, public-private dialogue and government policy issues.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Michael Bronstein &ndash; DeepMind Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford</strong><br /> An award-winning academic, Michael was previously Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter, a professor at Imperial College London and has held visiting appointments at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. Michael is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded startups such as Novafora, Invision (acquired by Intel in 2012), Videocites and Fabula AI (acquired by Twitter in 2019).</li> </ul> <p> &quot;The formation of Qlik&#39;s AI Council is a strategic leap, reflecting our deep-seated commitment to not just advancing AI, but doing so with ethical integrity and practical applicability,&quot; said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. &quot;Our goal is crystal clear: to enable our customers to harness AI in a way that&#39;s not only transformative, but also responsible. By uniting a cadre of AI luminaries, we are sharpening our focus on delivering AI solutions that are not just cutting-edge, but also seamlessly integrated and governed. This initiative is a pivotal chapter in our journey, marking a bold move towards democratizing AI in a manner that is both accessible and aligned with our core mission of driving substantial, data-driven business outcomes.&quot;</p> <p> Data and analytics leaders from around the world can hear from the AI Council at Qlik Connect, which takes place on June 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. At the pre-eminent event for data analytics, integration, and AI, Council members will share their take on the opportunities and challenges for businesses exploring the value of automation in their data strategy. Additional details and event registration is at www.qlikconnect.com</p> <p> &ldquo;I am excited to join Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council and work with some of the greatest minds in AI to optimize how businesses around the world use data,&rdquo; said Rumman Chowdhury, member of Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reached an inflection point where innovations like generative AI are impacting the world as the internet did. This is not the time for complacency. &lsquo;Adopting AI&rsquo; is not as simple as some suggest, but getting left behind is a risky game. By taking responsible steps, organizations can enter an era of unprecedented innovation &ndash; I look forward to being able to contribute to this evolution.&rdquo;</p> <p> &ldquo;In working at JBS USA, I recognize the significance of Qlik&#39;s advancements in AI, embodying a responsible and pragmatic approach to enterprise AI development,&rdquo; said Stephanie Robinson, IT Business Intelligence Manager at JBS. &ldquo;Qlik&#39;s dedication to enhancing AI applications aligns with our focus on employing technology to drive substantial business outcomes. We value Qlik&#39;s commitment to ethical AI practices and are optimistic about the beneficial impact this will have on the industry.&rdquo;</p> <p> <strong>About Qlik</strong><br /> Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio leverages advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML and pervasive data quality. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.</p> <p> 2024 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.</p> <p> The development, release and timing of any product or functionality described herein remain at the sole discretion of Qlik and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision.</p>

Read More

Spotlight

Spark Media Solutions, LLC

B2B content marketing agency for the tech industry. Content marketers that have perfected the model of building influencer relations through content. When dedicated to building an editorial voice, our clients have become the leading corporate media brand for their industry. We've worked with compani...

Events

Resources