Construct I/O conference focuses on the future of AI and business

Construct I/O conference focuses on the future of AI and business

Innovators, entrepreneurs and the AI-curious filled the halls of the Ohio Union at The Ohio State University last week for Construct I/O: The Builder’s Summit 2024, a conference focused on the latest advances in artificial intelligence and software development.

The conference, presented by the university’s Center for Software Innovation, featured speakers including software industry experts, technologists and university faculty. The Buckeye connections ran deep with many of the speakers either alumni of the university or from the state of Ohio. It was the second industry conference hosted by the center, following Startup Midwest in 2023.

The center and the conference are central to the vision of Ohio State alumnus and software entrepreneur Ratmir Timashev. He helped open the conference by comparing the potential of artificial intelligence to the development of reliable electricity or the software revolution.

Center for Software Innovation Executive Director Shereen Agrawal said the focus on builders was intentional.

“It can be hard to move fast and build things. But that’s what we do really well,” she said. “Ohio has the seventh largest GDP in the nation, 20th largest GDP in the world. That’s something I think is really important to take a moment and take a lot of pride in. That leads us to what today is about, what Construct I/O is about – the builder side.”

Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. also highlighted the importance of building when he addressed the assembled audience. He said the university is educating the next generation of leaders, building a top-tier working and learning environment, and advancing research and innovation that not only improves but saves lives.

“We need all of you and others in our city and our state to continue to help us to tell our story. The Center for Software Innovation is a significant component to achieving our mission, and that’s why you’re all here,” Carter said. “Higher education needs to continue to build even more relationships. Ohio needs more entrepreneurs to build companies and continue to invest here.”

For developers, entrepreneurs and students who attended Construct I/O, there were plenty of opportunities to explore the growing AI revolution. They also had the opportunity to connect with builders from technology powerhouses like Meta, Microsoft, Anthropic, Mimecast, Upstart and JP Morgan.

Ohio State faculty members David Staley, associate professor of history and design, and Huan Sun, associate professor of computer science and engineering, discussed the future of coding and the new uses for AI tools to improve productivity.

Nick Daniel, chief product officer for Etsy, and RWX CEO Dan Manges discussed the role of AI in the evolution of their careers and their current businesses. Ohio State alumni Ashraf Alhashim, a go to market leader at Anthropic, the company behind AI assistant Claude, discussed how AI tools would be as disruptive as Google and Netflix were for their competitors.

Breakout sessions included discussion about how to fund and market a startup and how to find the right customers for a new company.

Timashev said the conference highlighted what is unique about the region and the university.

“Construct I/O: The Builder’s Summit 2024 is a great snapshot of the Columbus tech ecosystem in action,” he said. “Few places can pull off a summit like this, bringing together hundreds of students, faculty, industry professionals and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.”


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