Third Annual Data Science Summit at Michigan State University Explores the Future of Data and Technology
Hosted by the MSU Research Foundation, the summit brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI ethics, and the latest advancements in data science.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The MSU Research Foundation hosted its third annual Data Science Summit on October 1, 2024, at the TechSmith headquarters, located on the Michigan State University campus. The event brought together approximately 100 data science professionals, industry leaders, researchers, and government officials from across Michigan to explore the latest trends and challenges in data sciences and its real-world applications.
The event began with a networking breakfast, allowing attendees to engage with peers and exchange ideas ahead of the day’s sessions. David Washburn, Chief Executive Officer of the MSU Research Foundation, opened the event with welcoming remarks, setting the stage for a full day of discussions on the evolving landscape of data science.
"The goal of this summit is to strengthen the bridge between MSU and industry by creating opportunities for these communities to come together around important research and technical topics," Washburn said. “The outcomes of these types of events will lead to greater collaborations and opportunities to work together."
Keynote and Panel Discussions
The morning keynote, “AI Isn’t Always the Answer,” was presented by Sheri Marshall, Head of Vehicle Safety Analytics at General Motors. Marshall explored the balance between AI and traditional methods, encouraging attendees to focus on strategic thinking and the power of storytelling with data to solve complex problems.
“AI capabilities are evolving rapidly and generating a lot of excitement, but there are also challenges that we must tackle,” said Marshall. “This summit provided a valuable forum for like-minded practitioners, students, and educators to learn from each other, network, and discuss common issues and best practices.”
The first panel discussion of the day, "Applications, Methods, and Privacy," was moderated by Arun Ross, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at MSU. The panel featured Sheri Marshall of General Motors, Brian O’Shea, Director of MSU’s Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (ICER), and Cindy Warner, CEO of 360ofMe. They explored how industries such as healthcare, finance, and automotive are using machine learning and AI to tackle real-world challenges while addressing concerns around data privacy and security.
Interactive Sessions Highlight Emerging Technologies
Two interactive sessions followed, allowing attendees to dive deeper into specialized topics. The session on Quantum Computing was facilitated by Carl Dukatz, Managing Director at Accenture and Johannes Pollanen, co-founder of EeroQ Quantum Hardware and MSU professor. They explored the transformative potential of quantum computing on data science, including demonstrations of quantum algorithms.
“The impact of data science cannot be understated for digital and AI-enabled businesses today,” said Dukatz. “Promoting and sharing thought leadership on the importance of data ethics and security can help lead to responsible use. The dialogue at this summit shows commitment by local and global participants to the rapidly growing field of data science and building a trustworthy future for business and society.”
The parallel session on AI, Ethics, and Design, was led by Andrew Christlieb, MSU Research Foundation Professor of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (CMSE) and La'Shardae Scott, CEO of the Scott Center for Observation, Treatment, and Transition. The session focused on the ethical challenges of AI development and how thoughtful design can lead to more responsible and effective AI solutions.
Afternoon Sessions and Cybersecurity Focus
After a networking lunch, the summit resumed with a second panel discussion on Cybersecurity and AI Application, moderated by Shikha Mohindra, Principal Data Scientist at Roosevelt Innovations and Delta Dental of Michigan. The panel featured Pankhuri Dawar of Ernst & Young, Stephanie Dombroski of MSU IT, Brendan Newell of Microsoft, and Mansoor Raza from Google Cloud Security. The experts discussed emerging trends in cybersecurity and how data science techniques are being used to protect critical information across industries.
“Connecting with like-minded professionals and discovering emerging talent within our industry is highly valuable,” said Mohindra. “The panel discussions provided valuable insights into the challenges many companies face on their data science maturity journeys. This conference served as a great platform for collaboration and innovation among industry leaders and enthusiastic individuals looking to advance our field.”
Rick Snyder, CEO of SensCy and former Michigan governor, delivered the afternoon keynote on the evolving cybersecurity landscape. His talk emphasized the role of data science in strengthening cybersecurity practices and protecting systems from ever-increasing cyber threats.
“There were great discussions from leading-edge researchers and practitioners on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,” Snyder said. “I appreciated the opportunity to share the important data that SensCy has gathered on the poor cyberhealth of small and medium-sized organizations in our nation and what we need to do to be safer.”
The day wrapped up with two additional interactive sessions. In Cybersecurity, led by Ilan Rubinfeld of Henry Ford Innovations and Microsoft’s Brendan Newell, attendees learned about methodologies and innovative tools to enhance cybersecurity efforts. The session on Artificial Intelligence was facilitated by Charlie Henderson of Google Public Sector and Mohammad Ghassemi of MSU, where they discussed the impact of AI on healthcare, financial services, retail, and smart cities.
The summit concluded with a social hour, sponsored by TechSmith, where participants had the opportunity to network, discuss the day's insights, and enjoy a live performance by students from the MSU College of Music.
The next Data Science Summit will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025. To discuss content and speaker suggestions for the next Summit, contact Anum at anum@msufoundation.org. For information about other upcoming events hosted by the MSU Research Foundation, visit msufoundation.org/events.
Five Key Takeaways from the Data Science Summit:
Prioritize Data Privacy and Governance Early: It is essential to integrate data privacy and governance into the design process from the start, rather than as an afterthought, to ensure more secure and responsible AI implementation.
Ethical AI in Healthcare: Addressing ethical challenges in AI, particularly within healthcare, demands a comprehensive approach. This includes patient education, detecting bias, and ensuring transparency and informed consent at every stage.
The Role of AI and Quantum Computing in Cybersecurity: The integration of AI and quantum computing is crucial in strengthening cybersecurity against evolving threats. Education and internal training play a vital role in raising awareness and building resilience against cyber-attacks.
Quantum Computing’s Future Potential: While quantum computing promises exponential power in fields like cryptography, fraud detection, and chemistry, its high costs and technical challenges mean it’s not yet ready for widespread consumer adoption. Post-quantum cryptography is also being explored by financial companies to prepare for future quantum decryption threats.
AI’s Long-Term Considerations: AI has been integrated into many aspects of society for years, though free AI products often utilize user data to train models. Enterprise versions offer enhanced data security and privacy. It is also important to acknowledge that AI is not a universal solution, and its current hype is expected to plateau over time.
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About the Michigan State University Research Foundation
The MSU Research Foundation supports the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. The Foundation achieves its mission through grant programs that contribute over $10 million annually to the University, entrepreneurial programming and early-stage investments that accelerate technology transfer and startup growth throughout Michigan, and environments where startup businesses and collaborators can thrive. The Foundation's work is made possible through its stewardship of a flexible and sustainable endowment, nourished by over 50 years of licensing revenues and investment returns. Learn more about the MSU Research Foundation and its impact at msufoundation.org