The inaugural Tech AI Fest held March 26–28 at the Historic Academy of Medicine in Atlanta, brought together more than 40 leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) from academia, government, and industry for three days of panels, keynotes, and networking.

Leading up to the main event, Tech AI, the AI Hub at Georgia Tech, partnered with OpenAI to host two standout events on March 25: the OpenAI Forum and Sora Shorts. These programs explored the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI and creativity, offering a preview of the transformative work unfolding both at the Institute and across the globe.

OpenAI Academy and Sora Shorts

The OpenAI Academy gave participants hands-on experience with the latest AI tools and methods. The workshop provided a deep dive into how generative AI can be applied across sectors.

Simultaneously, the Sora Shorts series spotlighted creative pioneers integrating AI into storytelling and design. Featured speakers included:

• Mark Riedl, professor at Georgia Tech, who discussed the intersection of AI and storytelling and its impact on narrative innovation;
• Minne Atairu, AI artist and researcher at Columbia University, who explored generative art and the evolving role of AI in creative disciplines;
• Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Emmy Award-winning director, who offered insights into AI’s potential to reshape the future of filmmaking;
• Nik Kleverov, creative director and entrepreneur, who focused on AI's capacity to inspire design and entrepreneurship;
• Ellie Foumbi, filmmaker and member of the Directors Guild of America, who reflected on how AI tools are influencing storytelling and visual production.

Gabe Nixon, a fourth-year student at Georgia Tech, shared how these two events quickly reshaped his career ambitions. Initially on a Ph.D. track aiming for NASA, Nixon pivoted toward startups and AI innovation. After attending the OpenAI Academy, he began building his first AI-powered app, TITAN, during Tech AI Fest. Nixon's experience reflects a broader student interest in harnessing AI to fuel interdisciplinary breakthroughs.

Highlights Included:

Tech AI Fest welcomed AI experts and thought leaders across domains. Speakers included:

• Sen. John Albers, Georgia state senator, who spoke about crafting ethical legislation to govern AI innovation;
• Manuela Veloso, head of AI research at JPMorganChase and former AI head at Carnegie Mellon University, who discussed AI's role in finance and interdisciplinary collaboration;
• Sophia Velastegui, former Microsoft executive, who highlighted AI’s transformative power in solving complex industry problems;
• Konstantin Cvetanov, senior solution architect at NVIDIA, leading the adoption of enterprise AI and generative AI solutions across North America;
• Srinivas Aluru, professor at Georgia Tech, who explored AI's intersection with scientific computing and systems modeling;
• Sudheer Chava, professor at Georgia Tech, who discussed machine learning in financial markets and risk management;
• Yongsheng Chen, professor at Georgia Tech, who presented on AI in agriculture;
• Frank Dellaert, professor at Georgia Tech and CEO of Verdant Robotics, who shared insights into AI-driven autonomous systems and robotics;
• Ashok Goel, professor at Georgia Tech and director of the National Science Foundation AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE), who focused on AI for education and personalized learning.

Additional speakers included:

• Vijay Ganesh, associate professor at Georgia Tech, on real-time machine learning applications;
• David Joyner, executive director of the Online Master of Science in Computer Science program at Georgia Tech, on scalable AI-powered personalized education;
• Kamran Paynabar, associate professor at Georgia Tech, on AI-enabled optimization in global supply chains;
• Christopher J. Rozell, professor at Georgia Tech, on the role of AI in neuroscience and brain modeling;
• Suresh Marru, associate professor at Georgia Tech, on AI-enhanced cyberinfrastructure for science;
• Bob Friday, chief scientist at Juniper Networks, on AI's impact on networking and cybersecurity;
• Jeffrey Young, principal investigator at Georgia Tech’s Center for Scientific Software Engineering, who discussed open-source frameworks and ethical software development for AI.

Keynote: AI as a Global Force

A standout moment was the keynote from Pascal Van Hentenryck, director of Tech AI and professor in Georgia Tech’s H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He emphasized that AI's true potential lies in collaboration across academia, industry, and government.

“Artificial intelligence is not just a tool — it’s a revolution,” Van Hentenryck said. “But for it to be truly transformative, we need to come together as a global community to innovate responsibly. At Georgia Tech, we are proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, driving innovation and solving global challenges.”

Looking Ahead: Tech AI Career Fair

Building on the success of Tech AI Fest 2025, Tech AI will host a career fair later this year. The event will connect students, professionals, and companies to explore workforce opportunities in AI and emerging technologies.

“We’re excited about the upcoming Career Fair,” said Tim Brown, Tech AI’s Director of Professional Education and organizer of the career fair. “It will provide a platform for companies to engage with top talent, and for students to discover exciting careers in AI.”

A Lasting Impact

Tech AI Fest marked a defining moment for Georgia Tech’s role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. From hands-on workshops to thought-provoking discussions on ethics, creativity, and policy, the event created space for new ideas and global partnerships.

As Georgia Tech continues to lead in AI research, education, and collaboration, Tech AI Fest demonstrated what’s possible when visionary thinkers come together to build a better, smarter future.

For more information about Tech AI and upcoming events, visit tech.ai.gatech.edu.