Tech Nebraska’s inaugural summit will focus on tech policy and feature regional technology industry leaders

Keynote speaker, Google’s Beth Tsai, will discuss generative AI

LINCOLN, NE – The NE Chamber and Tech Nebraska are co-hosting the first annual Tech Nebraska Summit on November 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln. Tech Nebraska, formed in 2023 in partnership with the NE Chamber, will use its annual summit to convene technology partners, foster a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce and advocate for pro-growth, tech-focused public policies spanning the state.

Event presenter and sponsor Google will bring Beth Tsai, its Director for Search, Geo and Assistant Policy under Google's Trust & Safety Team, to Lincoln. She will give the keynote address.

Tsai’s team is responsible for keeping Google's users safe by driving the creation of trustworthy products and supporting Google's mission to help users access useful, high-quality information.

Tsai was part of the original team responsible for building the Google Assistant and Google Lens and has played a critical role in developing Google's approach towards offensive, dangerous, or sensitive content in Large Language Models like LaMDA, Bard and Search Generative Experiences. She is currently leading Google's Trust & Safety policy strategy for Generative AI, focused on enabling safe, responsible, and engaging interactions.

“AI presents a big opportunity to push economies forward by helping fuel productivity and economic activity. But we also recognize concerns that AI will be disruptive to the workforce. We want to work together with policymakers and tech professionals to prepare the workforce to use AI in a positive way,” Tsai said. “Google also wants to ensure that users interact with AI in a way that is both safe and helpful. Virtual assistants reduce barriers in technology and make
the internet more accessible.”

The Tech Nebraska Summit also includes sessions on:

• The State of Tech in Nebraska
• A panel of technology leaders from Kiewit, Lutz and Children’s Nebraska
• A panel featuring technology policy leaders from Federation of American Scientists, TechNet and the Technology Association of Iowa.

Technology executives, operations and systems leaders, developers and innovators companies engaged in any of Nebraska's core sectors, especially those in agriculture, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, technology and logistics are invited and encouraged to attend. Anyone curious about technology, Nebraska’s technology policy landscape, or innovation efforts in our state and region may also find this event of interest.

Laurel Oetken, Executive Director of Tech Nebraska, said Nebraska’s technology potential has yet to be recognized. "We’re excited to host this year’s Tech Nebraska Summit in partnership with the NE Chamber and sponsors. It’s imperative that we continue to position Nebraska as a leading technology state and prepare to solve the challenges of tomorrow. We’re excited to drill down on these topics and much more with leaders in Nebraska’s technology community and those shaping policy in our region.”

"We’re very excited about the future of technology in Nebraska, and the Tech Nebraska Summit is a great opportunity to further the state’s tech transformation," said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber President. "Bringing Nebraska’s tech community together in events like the Tech Nebraska Summit puts the state in an even better position to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving tech-enabled economy."

“The opportunity to participate in the Tech Summit and discuss topics that are important to the state technology community is one that I couldn’t pass up. Beyond that, the chance to shape the direction and policy related to those important topics through Tech Nebraska is one of the great opportunities of my career and I have high expectations as we move the association forward into 2024,” said Christopher Dill, Chief Innovation Officer at Kiewit.

Tech Nebraska is working to strengthen and unite the state’s tech sector, and the NE Chamber is proud to support the initiative.

Event sponsors include Google, Lutz, Nebraska Public Power District, Olsson, Cox Communications and Invest Nebraska.
To learn more about the Tech Nebraska Summit or the event’s featured speakers, please visit the Nebraska Chamber website.

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About the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry: The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of experienced, connected business leaders across the
state. For more information visit nechamber.com.

About Tech Nebraska: Tech Nebraska’s mission is to strengthen the state’s position as a leader in the future of technology and innovation and advocate for tech-forward public policies. The organization announced its formation in December of 2022 in partnership with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tech Nebraska is in the process of building capacity, with senior level information and technology officers helping to create the founding advisory board. Companies interested in engaging their chief information and technology officers may contact Tech Nebraska’s executive director Laurel Oetken at [email protected]. Learn more at technologynebraska.com.