Sponsored By:
Dear Attendees,
On behalf of the National Quantum Literacy Network, Inc. (NQLN), I am thrilled to welcome you to our Third Annual Conference on Quantum Literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This event brings together an extraordinary group of thought leaders, innovators, and experts from academia, industry, and government, all united by a shared vision: to empower the future of the United States’ technological workforce. As we continue to navigate an era of unprecedented technological advancement, it is essential that we foster collaboration and innovation across all sectors to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to participate in this transformative journey.
At NQLN, we are proud to be at the forefront of promoting quantum literacy and artificial intelligence as foundational pillars in the development of a robust and inclusive workforce. This conference represents a unique opportunity to explore how quantum technologies and AI can be scaled and integrated into various industries, while addressing the critical need to engage diverse populations and underrepresented groups. Our collective efforts can only succeed when we create pathways for talent from all backgrounds, ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is both skilled and diverse.
As we embark on the discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities ahead, I encourage each of you to engage deeply with the content and with one another. The collaboration and exchange of ideas that take place here will help to shape the future of quantum literacy and AI, advancing our shared goal of building a more inclusive and technologically capable society. Thank you for your participation and commitment to this important mission, and I look forward to the exciting conversations that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Timothy Akers, Ph.D Founder & CEO
Lily Milliner Board President
National Quantum Literacy Network, Inc.
QUANTUM RISING 2024
Day 1 – DECEMBER 12, 2024
MASTER OF CEREMONY:
Dr. Kevin Peters
Chief Education Officer, NQLN | Director, Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Education Morgan State University
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Registration & Breakfast
Kickstart your day with a chance to network and meet fellow attendees over breakfast.
9:00AM - 9:30AM
Welcome Address
Official greetings and a look ahead at the innovations shaping the future.
Introduction
Lily Milliner | Board President, NQLN | CEO, Build-It-Up
Speakers
Dr. Timothy Akers | CEO, NQLN | Associate Provost for Academic Research, California State University, San Bernardino
Mohamed Balla | Chief Financial Officer, City of Atlanta
Dr. Greg George | Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic Analysis, Middle Georgia State University
9:30AM - 10:15AM
Keynote: Quantum Rising—AI's Role in Building the Next-Gen Workforce
Discover how quantum and AI are reshaping industries and preparing the workforce for tomorrow.
Introduction — Dr. Timothy Akers
Speaker
Will Hurley (“Whurley”) | CEO, Strangeworks
10:15AM - 10:45AM
Fireside Chat: Quantum Rising—AI's Role in Building the Next-Gen Workforce
Learn how Vision drives innovation at the intersection of Technology, Education, and Stakeholders.
Moderator
Dr. Kaylin Carey | Researcher, Morehouse School of Medicine | Area of Research: Chemokines, Ovarian Cancer, Immunology, Tumor Microenvironment
Speakers
Joe Queenan | Executive Director, South Carolina Quantum
Donnie Beamer, CFA | Senior Technology Advisor, City of Atlanta
10:45AM - 11:00AM
Break and Networking
11:00AM - 11:40AM
Session: Frontiers of Innovation:Tackling Life Sciences' Greatest Challenges with AI and Advanced Computing Dive into the forefront of life sciences as we explore pivotal challenges and revolutionary solutions brought forth by advanced computation and AI.
Introduction
Dr. Randi Hunley | Deloitte and NQLN Board Secretary
Panelists
Alan Andress | Deloitte Consulting LLP
Will Hurley (“Whurley”) | CEO, Strangeworks
James Chappell | Cyber Bio, SCBio
11:45AM - 12:55PM
Lunch and Networking
Pick a table and mingle with experts and professionals during lunch session.
1:00PM - 1:45PM
Keynote: Quantum Literacy Education for Workforce Development and Equity for Excellence in STEM
Moderator
Suresh Nair | INA Solutions, Inc.
Speaker
Dr. Tomasz Durakiewickz | National Science Foundation, Program Director, Condensed Matter Physics Program Division of Materials Research, HBCUUP Program and CREST Program Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM
1:50PM - 2:20PM
Presentation: Cybersecurity & Bioterrorism: Supply Chain
Threats Throughout the US
Explore Vulnerabilities in the Era of Quantum Literacy and Biological Cyberterrorism.
Introduction
Dr. Timothy Akers | CEO, NQLN
Speaker
Dr. Merrick Watchorn | Co-Founder, Quantum Security Alliance
2:20PM - 2:30PM
Break and Networking
2:30PM - 3:10PM
“Vets Speak” Series
DoD's technical priorities and future of STEM as they close the divide— Integrating Quantum & AI Across Industries
Moderator
De'Andre B. Wells, SGT US Army Ret. | Founder and CEO, American Group Contrax (AGX-LLC)
Speakers
Dr. John Rosenthall | President and CEO, Tougaloo College Research & Development Foundation
Dr. Timothy Akers | CEO, NQLN | Associate Provost for Academic Research, California State University, San Bernardino
Dr. Merrick Watchorn | Quantum Security Alliance
3:10PM - 3:40PM
Session: Unlocking Life Science Breakthroughs with Advanced Computation and AI
An exclusive view into the Cleveland Clinic's innovative approaches to tackling life science challenges using advanced computation and AI.
Panelists
Alan Andress | Deloitte
Dr. Hakan Doga | Life Science, IBM Quantum
Sudhir Saxena | Life Science, GNQ Insilico
3:40PM - 4:00PM
Day 1 Wrap-Up: What's Next - Quantum AI Literacy Rising
Wrap up with key takeaways on the future of quantum AI in life sciences, healthcare, and national security. A national strategy for future-proofing the next generation of workforce leaders.
Speakers
Lily Milliner | Board President, NQLN
Dr. Timothy Akers | CEO, NQLN
QUANTUM RISING 2024
Day 2 – DECEMBER 13, 2024
MASTER OF CEREMONY: 8:00AM - 9:00AM
William G. (Bill) Hervey, J.D., LL.M.,
Board Member, NQLN, Inc., | Professor, Middle Georgia State University
Registration & Breakfast
Kickstart your day with a chance to network and meet fellow attendees over breakfast.
9:00AM - 9:15AM
Welcome
Setting the stage for another exciting day of innovation and learning.
Speaker
William G. (Bill) Hervey | Board Member, NQLN, Inc. | Professor, Middle Georgia State University
9:15AM - 9:45AM
Keynote: Quantum Literacy Rising in Cybersecurity Challenges and Opportunities
A visionary talk on navigating the complexities and potential of cybersecurity and AI for national defense and workforce.
Introduction — Dr. Timothy Akers
Speaker
James “Aaron” Bishop | Founder, Quantum Security Alliance
9:45AM - 10:15AM
Presentation: Quantum Literacy and AI as Emerging Technologies in the Workforce
Protecting National Defense and Industrial Strength through Cybersecurity and Resiliency
Introduction Lily Milliner
Distinguished Speaker
Dr. Michael Barker | Principal Research Faculty - Cybersecurity at Georgia Institute of Technology
10:15AM - 10:30AM
Break and Networking
10:30AM - 11:15AM
Panel Discussion: Ethical AI in Quantum Technologies
Industry, academia, and government leaders discuss the critical need for ethics in advancing AI and quantum technologies.
Moderator
Meme Styles | President & Founder, Measure
Panelists
Manuel (Manny) Trujillo | President and CEO, Swain Techs
Dr. Lethia Jackson | Professor, Technology and Security, Bowie State University
Joseph Baweja | Digital Public Health Lead Abt Global
11:15AM - 12:00PM
Demonstration: Quantum Buy-In and Opportunities (Qubitekk Demonstration)
Driving Quantum Literacy into the Classroom and Embracing the CHIPS Act. Moderator
Suresh Nair | INA Solutions, Inc. | NQLN Board Treasurer
Presenters
Cody Cates | Education & Workforce Outreach, Qubitekk
Jason Schaake | Physicist, Qubitekk
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Lunch and Networking
Pick a table and mingle with experts and professionals during lunch session.
1:00PM - 1:30PM
Keynote: Educational Innovations—The Rise of Quantum & AI
A Visionary Talk on Navigating the Complexities and Potential of AI for a Quantum-Powered Workforce.
Moderator
Lily Milliner | CEO, Build-It-Up | Board President, NQLN, Inc.
Speakers
Dr. Cecelia Wright-Brown | Lecturer | Electrical Engineer and Physicist
Joe Queenan | South Carolina Quantum
1:00PM - 2:40PM
Deloitte and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Focus Group
1:30PM - 2:05PM
Session: The Quantum Classroom: Next Generation Rising with Cutting-Edge AI Learning Tools
Helping Industry and Educators Move from Theory to Practice by Sharing Some Best Methods for Teaching Quantum to Future Leaders for Workforce Development
Moderator
Dr. Kevin A. Peters | Chief Education Officer, NQLN, Inc. | Director, Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education (CEMSE), Morgan State University
Student Contributors
Student Presenters
2:05PM - 2:40PM
Session: Next Generation Leaders: From Labs to Living Rooms –
Students Advancing Quantum and AI for Sensor Technology
Empower students with hands-on experience in Quantum and AI Technologies, Bridging Academic Research and Real-World Applications to Drive Workforce Innovation, Research, and Development.
Moderator
Dr. Birol Ozturk | Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Acting Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Department of Physics, Morgan State University
Student Contributors
Student Presenters
2:40PM - 2:50PM
Break and Networking
2:50PM - 3:20PM
Panel Discussion: Bridging the Gap between Minority Serving Institutions and Minority Business Enterprises
Discussion on Emerging Technology Practices and Next Steps.
Moderator
William G. (Bill) Hervey, J.D., LL.M. | Board Member, NQLN, Inc.
Panelists
Suresh Nair | Treasurer, NQLN, Inc. | CEO/President, INA Solutions, Inc. | NSF & Quantum Machine Learning in the Classroom for HBCUs
Dr. Timothy Akers | Associate Provost for Academic Research, California State University, San Bernardino (HSI – Hispanic Serving Institution) | CEO, NQLN, Inc.
Dr. Silvanus J. Udoka | Professor and Dean of School of Business, Clark Atlanta University (HBCU)
De’Andre B. Wells, SGT US Army Ret. | Founder and CEO, American Group Contrax (AGX-LLC)
3:20PM - 3:40PM
National Quantum Literacy Network Call to Action: 5 Year, $5 Billion Plan for the U.S.
Let us Come Together to Design a National Strategy that Empowers the Next Generation of Leaders, Prioritizing Innovation in Quantum AI Literacy as a Cornerstone of National Security.
Panelists
Dr. Timothy Akers | CEO, NQLN
Lily Milliner | Board President, NQLN
Dr. Randi Hunley | Board Secretary, NQLN
Suresh Nair | Board Treasurer, NQLN
Dr. Kevin Peters | Chief Education Officer, NQLN
William Hervey, Esq. | Chief Legal Counsel, NQLN
De’Andre B. Wells, SGT US Army Ret. | AGX-LLC Founder and CEO
