Understanding Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The Blank Center’s Tech Thursdays Lunch and Learn series continues on Thursday, March 28, 12:30pm in the Blank Center Televideo Room: Understanding Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with Babson Entrepreneur-in-Residence, John Landry!

AI and Machine Learn is the Biggest Tech Change since… well… EVER. See how it will impact YOUR business!

AI and its progeny ML will affect nearly EVERY industry in the future – and the future is now! AI capabilities allow a computer to analyze vast amounts of information and data to arrive at a “reasoned” conclusion about the subject at hand, simulating the human decision process, often with better decisions being made. Machine learning models ‘learn’ by finding patterns in data after reviewing thousands or millions of samples and those recognized patterns can yield results. The range of application is enormous – from breast cancer detection from scanning millions of x-ray samples to autonomous vehicle control from pre-digested video recording of real drivers driving. More than any previous technology, it will be a component of nearly every future product or service. Therefore, entrepreneurs need to absorb its capabilities and limitations just to compete in the future, let alone excel! Join John and the Blank Center as we take a dive into the shallow end of the pool to get a grounding in this must-have technology, exploring its basic foundations, current applications (you’re likely using it every day without knowing it!), and the exciting, controversial, and downright scary future that lies ahead.

About John Landry
John Landry has spent over 40 years as a serial software entrepreneur and innovator, a 12-time Chief Technology Officer in enterprises ranging from start-ups to the largest software companies, 20+ years as an passionate angel investor funding over 100 companies, and a Board Director of over 42 tech companies including 10 publicly traded.

John is currently Managing Director of Lead Dog Ventures which provides emerging technology enterprises access to a well-developed network of relationship, technology, and financial capital. He is also currently a Venture Partner and member of the Investment Committee at Boston VC firm Converge Ventures Partners.​

Previously, John served as VP Technology Strategy at IBM where he led IBM's Internet Strategy Task Force working directly for then IBM CEO Lou Gerstner to design and develop IBM's Internet strategy across the corporation. Prior to IBM, John was CTO/SVP Development at Lotus Development Corporation responsible for all product management, engineering, and R&D. Prior to Lotus, John served in similar capacities as CTO/EVP Development at global software leaders Dun & Bradstreet Software, Cullinet Software, and McCormack & Dodge.

In addition, John was Co-founder/Exec Chairman/CTO of Agility Systems, Adjoin Solutions, and Adesso Systems and Exec Chairman/CTO of Distribution Management Systems, Narrative Communications, ​ AnyDay.com, and Infostoria -- with ALL of these companies targets of successful acquisitions.

He has served as President of the American Software Association and as a long-time Trustee of both Babson College and the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC). In 2018 he was awarded MassTLC’s Commonwealth Award, the organization’s highest honor, for a lifetime of commitment to technology innovation and inclusion. He holds a BA in Finance from Babson and currently serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at the college. John lives with his wife Ann on a working farm in Wayland, Mass, a location frequently and joyfully populated by his six grandchildren.