Mar 14, 2019   SOURCE: BusinessWire

IEEE Vision, Innovation, and Challenges Summit Explores Emerging Technologies and Recognizes Technology Innovators at IEEE Honors Ceremony Gala

IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, today announced the agenda, speakers, and open registration for the 2019 IEEE Vision, Innovation, and Challenges Summit (IEEE VIC Summit) to be held Friday, 17 May 2019 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina in San Diego, California, USA. The IEEE VIC Summit convenes leading technology innovators, visionaries, and disruptors to share insights on emerging technologies and discuss their impacts on humanity’s future.

The summit culminates with the IEEE Honors Ceremony Gala, which will be live-streamed and recognizes outstanding innovators for extraordinary achievements in electrical, electronics, communications, environmental and safety technologies, computer science and engineering, engineering education, and the allied branches of engineering and the related arts and sciences. This year’s ceremony includes the first presentation of the IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award, which was created to recognize up-and-coming technology leaders and highlight their specific work in advancing technology.

“The IEEE VIC Summit is an inspirational event where attendees interface with some of the greatest minds contributing to technological advancements that bring significant benefits to humanity,” said Mario Milicevic, recipient of the IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award. “This holds true for all technology stakeholders attending, but even more so for young professionals and students who can leverage excellent networking opportunities by participating in the newly introduced Mentor/Mentee Program at this year’s summit.”

This year’s IEEE VIC Summit brings to light the important role of women in technology with a keynote presentation from Telle Whitney, “Our Time to Lead: Women and Men Creating Technology Together, and Defining Our Future.” Dr. Whitney, a computer scientist, former CEO of The Anita Borg Institute, and a world recognized expert on diversity will speak on the dream of inclusion in technology, discussing her own journey as a female engineer and her efforts to create a global movement for women technologists. Other panel discussions will cover topics including smart networks and social innovations, future security risks posed by the internet of things and ethics in artificial intelligence. Master of Ceremonies Mike North brings a unique mix of engineering and artistic skills as MC of the IEEE VIC Summit.

In the evening, IEEE rolls out the red carpet at the IEEE Honors Ceremony Gala, where the achievements of IEEE Life Fellow Kurt Petersen will be honored with the IEEE Medal of Honor—IEEE’s highest award—for his visionary contributions that led to the global growth of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The direction he provided for the field resulted in the tiny sensors, actuators, and other microelectronics that proliferate smart devices, healthcare tools, and automotive systems, enabling such innovations as autonomous driving, precision surgical techniques and advanced smartphone applications.

This year’s recipient of The IEEE President’s Award, selected by the IEEE Board of Directors, is Katherine G. Johnson, whose mathematical calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. human spaceflights. Her life story, along with two other women employees at NASA, was the inspiration for the 2016 Oscar-nominated film “Hidden Figures.”

About IEEE

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.