Mark your calendars now: At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium, Lauren Dunford — co-founder and CEO of Guidewheel and the Barton School of Business’s Centennial Entrepreneur-in-Residence — will deliver a keynote presentation, “The New Wave of Innovation: AI, Robotics, Manufacturing, and the Future of Energy.” Doors open at 9 a.m.
Dunford leads Guidewheel, an AI-powered platform transforming physical operations across more than 400 manufacturers worldwide, including Johnson & Johnson, Hershey and Cargill. A World Economic Forum technology pioneer, TED speaker and Stanford scholar, she is a leading voice in “physical AI,” applying intelligence to the machines that power the global economy.
During this forward-looking keynote, Dunford will share how artificial intelligence is reshaping manufacturing, unlocking new levels of efficiency, sustainability and resilience. She will explore the convergence of AI, robotics and energy systems — and what it means for the future of industry and innovation.
Stick around after the keynote to connect with fellow students, faculty, entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping Wichita’s innovation ecosystem. The event is free and open to the public. Share with your students, colleagues and networks.
