PNC Innovation Summit: “The State of Generative AI”

The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Kentucky’s flagship business college, is pleased to announce its collaboration with PNC Bank to host the 2024 PNC Innovation Summit, “The State of Generative AI,” March 20, 2024.This year’s keynote will be presented by Sarah Sanders, co-founder of Native AI and vice chair of the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship. In addition, Mark Liu, director of the MS finance program and associate professor at the Gatton College of Business and Economics, will present “How Machines Learn.” Now in its fourth year, the PNC Innovation Summit will provide UK students insight into the AI arena, as well as a platform for exploring the challenges and opportunities organizations face in the emerging technologies space.

The event will take place in-person at the Gatton College of Business and Economics, located on 550 South Limestone, Room 307, Woodward Hall. For event registration, and contact details, click here.

Speaker Bio's

Sarah Sanders is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Native, an always-on market intelligence platform that helps brands and organizations understand, innovate and create ideal experiences for their customers. She began in tech as an early employee at two startups that went on to achieve unicorn status, Rubicon & Toast. Sarah serves as the Vice Chair of the VonAllmen Center for Entrepreneurship advisory board at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business, where she previously earned her undergraduate degree in Business Management, as well as a board member at Pub Group Investments, a private equity backed restaurant group. She also earned an MBA in International Business from Xavier University.

Dr. Mark H. Liu is an associate professor of finance with tenure and the founding director of the master of science in finance program at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of two books, Make Python Talk: Build Apps with Voice Controls and Speech Recognition (No Starch Press, 2021) and Machine Learning, Animated (CRC Press, October 2023). His research interest is in machine learning and corporate finance (IPOs, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, Financial Analysts, Dividend Policy, and Corporate Restructuring). He obtained his Ph.D. in finance from Boston College. Dr. Liu has published his research in top finance journals such as Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Review of Corporate Finance Studies.

“As today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders prepare to deliver on the most transformational trends impacting businesses, all of us at PNC look forward to joining the Gatton community for this time of education and enrichment,” said John Gohmann, PNC regional president for Lexington.

PNC also returns April 20 as the presenting sponsor of the PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition, where students will have the opportunity to connect with innovative leaders and compete for $20,000 in seed funding to be awarded for innovative business plans.

“We are delighted to team up with PNC to offer UK students the chance to build their entrepreneurial and networking skills as well as showcase their business ideas for ground-breaking products and services to a panel of judges, including UK alumni, who work primarily in the business sector,” said Simon Sheather, dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics. 

The PNC Innovation Summit is an in-person event, offered at no charge to all members of the UK and Lexington community, and the PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition is available for UK students at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Agenda

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

Since 1925, the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky has been fostering the next generation of business leaders. With a rich history and commitment to shaping the future of business education, Gatton prepares principled leaders for the global economy, produces impactful research, and elevates economic growth in Kentucky and beyond.

In 2022, U.S. News and World Report ranked Gatton College #41 among employers nationwide, with over 400 hiring employers. The college is ranked #25 for Best Part-Time MBA Programs/Public Institutions. It’s all made possible by our dedicated team of faculty and staff who make up Gatton’s five academic programs, seven research centers and a $63 million facility that stands ready to support the nearly 5,000 students each year who are eager to learn more, do more and be more.