US-Poland Science and Technology Symposium in Silicon Valley and at Stanford University
July 9-12, 2024
Mission
The US-Polish Trade Council
welcomes you to the
US-Poland Science and Technology Symposium 2024
As we mark the 22nd edition of this symposium, our primary aim remains steadfast: fostering connections between the United States and Poland across industries, research, regional leadership, and academic discourse. Participants of previous events attest to the significance of our initiative: read here, and we are committed to continuing this mission.
This year’s Symposium, hosted at Stanford University and in San Francisco, revolves around the theme of ”Quality of Life” as propelled by advancements in AI, Sustainability, IoE, Energy, Ecosystems, and Health, and their impact on Polish, American, and global societies and markets. Through presentations and panel discussions led by distinguished experts from U.S. and Poland’s universities, government, industry, and business, and with active engagement from Symposium attendees, we aim to facilitate optimal opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Welcome to the Innovation Valley!
Registration
ACCOMMODATION
We recommend hotels in the Fisherman’s Wharf area due to the attractive location, hotel prices, often included breakfast, safety, and the possibility of reaching the conference venue by local tram or a 20-minute walk (part of the event takes place at the Bay Area Council / Historic Klamath).
The following hotels are recommended:
- Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, 424 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
- Warwick Hotel, 490 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Agenda
The XXII annual US-Poland Science and Technology Symposium organized by US-Polish Trade Council of Silicon Valley is aimed at drawing the participants into a discussion on how we can preserve and increase the Quality of Life in an era of exponential growth of the role of technology in shaping our lives at an individual, societal, and global level?
Day 1 – Tuesday (Stanford – Taube Center)
7:45 AM (PST) Transfer from San Francisco to Stanford
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (PST) Registration & Coffee
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM (PST) Commencement of the Symposium
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM (PST) Session 1 – Quality of Life Defined – Prof Marek Konarzewski, President, Polish Academy of Sciences
11:00 AM, Day 1– 4:15 PM, Day 2 (PST) – Poster session
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM (PST) Coffee break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (PST) Session 2 – Technology in Support of Quality of Life – Jerzy Orkiszewski, VP of Software Electrical Engineering at Cutera
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (PST) Session 3 – Leadership in Healthcare
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (PST) Lunch
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (PST) Session 4 – From Smart Cities to Space Programs – Artur Chmielewski, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) – NASA
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM (PST) Session 5 – Law in Technology and Medicine – Obstacle or Risk Management Tool? – Julia Stroinska, B2RLaw
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM (PST) Stanford Walking Tour – Adj. Prof. (Ret.) Piotr Moncarz, Stanford University
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (PST) Cocktails at the Poland in Silicon Valley Center
7:30 PM (PST) Transfer from Stanford to San Francisco
Day 2 – Wednesday (San Francisco – Bay Area Council and Stanford University – SIEPR Taube Center)
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (PST) Session 6 – Informatics and AI Tools for Strategic Planning – Paweł Morkisz, NVIDIA
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (PST) Session 7– Robotics and AI – Future Trends
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM (PST) Lunch
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM (PST) Transfer from San Francisco to Stanford
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM (PST) Session 8 – Climate, Infrastructure, and Energy – Prof. Andrzej Nowak, Auburn University
The panel will aim to present the impact of climate change on technology development. To what extent can new technologies help slow down climate change? What is the current balance of changes being introduced? In what areas of life will additional technological support be necessary in the future? Which regions in the world will be particularly affected? Can climate issues lead to changes in the global economic model? Examples of domestic technological solutions, the dissemination of which may have a beneficial impact on climate change.
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM (PST) Session 9 – Diagnostics Supported by AI
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (PST) – Cocktails (Stanford Faculty Club)
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (PST) – Gala dinner and keynote (Stanford Faculty Club)
Keynote: Professor John Hennessy, Stanford University
8:30 PM (PST) – Transfer from Stanford to San Francisco
Day 3 – Thursday (San Francisco – Bay Area Council)
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (PST) Session 10 – Poland in Silicon Valley
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (PST) Session 10.1 – Strengthening US-Poland Cooperation in Science – Prof. Alojzy Nowak, Rector, University of Warsaw
The session will explore strengthening the exchange between the American and Polish academia by undertaking joint projects. Access to top American universities on the one hand, and to European funds for scientific projects on the other hand could provide for a robust exchange. Possible areas for cooperation will be presented with an example of scientific projects at the University of Warsaw.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PST) Coffee break
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (PST) Session 10.2 – Strengthening US-Poland Cooperation in Innovation – Prof. Jacek Semaniak, President, Central Office of Measures
How do we take the achievements and potential of Polish science, technology, industrial, and service capabilities onto the world scene, using the Silicon Valley innovation culture?
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (PST) Session 10.3 – Strengthening US-Poland Cooperation in Entrepreneurship – Patrick Consorti, President, Bridge 2
The steps of innovation are described in many “do-it-yourself” books and academic treatises, providing, if used correctly, a base for a conveyor belt of innovation and commercial success. An opportunity to build such a conveyor belt might lie in stronger ties between Poland and Silicon Valley.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (PST) Lunch
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (PST) Session 11 – Fintech in the Era of AI and Blockchain – Dr. Tadeusz Białek, President, Polish Bank Association (ZBP)
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (PST) Session 12 – Industry of the Future
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (PST) Business mixer on the Bay
Day 4 – Friday (San Francisco – Bay Area Council)
9:30 AM – 10:30 PM (PST) Session 13 – The Role of Education for Quality of Life in the AI-dominated World – Prof. Geoffrey Cohen, Stanford University
How can an individual be educated to achieve a higher quality of life in an AI/technology-driven world? Can the current system of education, rooted in thousands of years of evolutionary steps, prepare an individual for that challenge, or is a revolutionary change in the educational model needed?
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM (PST) Session 14 – Student session – Preparing for the New World – Małgorzata Tomaka, B2RLaw
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM (PST) Coffee break
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM (PST) Session 15 – Poland in Silicon Valley – Conclusions for the Future Strategy – Adj. Prof. (Ret.) Piotr Moncarz, Stanford University
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM (PST) Closing ceremony
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM (PST) Lunch