Innovation in RTP Speaker Series: IBM Smarter Planet Update

Two years ago, IBM kicked off the Innovation in RTP Lecture series with a presentation about launching IBM's Smarter Planet initiative. March 9, 2011 marks the 2nd anniversary of the lecture series and IBM will provide an update on the Smarter Planet and how IBM is working with governments and corporations around the world to make our world smarter: with less traffic, healthier food, cleaner water, safer cities.

What does it mean to be smarter?
At IBM, we mean that intelligence is being infused into the systems and processes that make the world work, into things no one would recognize as computers: cars, appliances, roadways, power grids, clothes, even natural systems such as agriculture and waterways.

Data is being captured today as never before. It reveals everything from large and systemic patterns of global markets, workflows, national infrastructures and natural systems; to the location, temperature, security and condition of every item in a global supply chain. Through social media, billions of customers, citizens, students and patients tell us what they think, what they like and want, what they're witnessing, in real time.

Intelligence, not intuition, drives innovation.
But data by itself isn't useful. The most important aspect of smarter systems is the actionable insights that data can reveal.

Over the past two years, we've talked about what it takes to build a smarter planet. We've learned that our companies, our cities and our world are complex systems indeed, systems of systems. Advancing these systems to be more instrumented, intelligent and interconnected requires a profound shift in management and governance toward far more collaborative approaches.

About Our Speaker(s)

Dianne Fodell is IBM Program Director for Global University Programs and works closely with universities, which are key to Smarter Planet research and skills development.
Dianne works with university faculty, IBM researchers, and other experts in developing skills needed for the future. In a rapidly changing, digital world, new and updated skills are required to sustain business, infrastructure, and the planet's natural systems. IBM works closely with universities around the world to discuss skills requirements, and to provide tools, methodologies, research and real world challenges that help faculty develop courses for needed skills.

Dianne has had a multi-disciplinary career in IBM hardware and software development, system design, market management, communications, innovation programs, developer strategy and now University Programs. She has held a number of management and technical leadership positions in Application Development, Networking Systems, Retail Store Systems, and Linux systems. Dianne holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Niagara University, a Software Engineering Certificate from IBM, and completed graduate studies in Economics, Business Management and Marketing at North Carolina State University.

Event Date and Venue

This event will be held from 4:00pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at:

Research Triangle Park Headquarters
12 Davis Drive
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Map

http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php?pid=87&sec=1

From RTP South

Take Davis Drive North (towards I-40);
RTP Headquarters will be on the left, just north of I-40.

From RTP North

Take Highway 147 South to the Cornwallis Road exit (6);
Take a left on Cornwallis Road;
Take a right onto Davis Drive;
RTP Headquarters will be on the right, just north of I-40.

Schedule

4:00pm-5:00pm Speaker Series

Pre-registration for this event is closed and on-site registrations will not be accepted.

About Our Sponsor(s)

Innovation in RTP is a series of monthly discussions by various companies based in and around The Research Triangle Park. The goals are:
To build awareness of companies in and near The Research Triangle Park, of their local and global impact
To strengthen the community of professionals in the Park, with the hope of increasing innovation and new business opportunities

For more information about the Innovation in RTP speaker series contact Lee Clark-Sellers at [email protected].

http://www.innovationinrtp.com

Hosted by the Research Triangle Foundation www.rtp.org

Contact Us

For more info regarding registration or event details, please contact Felicia Joyner ([email protected]).

For more details about pre-registration, contact Tech Support.