Professional Engineers Advancing Knowledge (PEAK) will be held in person at the Rader School of Business.
This schedule is subject to change.

Session One: 8–9:45 a.m.

A Hands-on AI Workshop: AI for Accelerated Product Innovation and Development  –  Gene Wright, MSOE

AI tools are becoming important collaborators in all aspects of product development. Have you wondered how I use AU to generate new ideas and  identify potential areas for innovation? How can I use AI for prototyping and testing? How can I use AI for customer insights? Our workshop will share some insights into the current state of AI -augmented AI innovation and engage participants in USING AI tools. We will also discuss how others already use AI to make them more productive and effective. 

By attending this Hands-on workshop, you will work with Collaborative AI tools to: 

• Conduct AI-0enabled new idea "brainstorming"
• Leverage AI tools to analyze technology and market trends
• Use AI to optimize Product features
• Use AI as an 'innovation muse'
• How to use AI for launch readiness

Session Two: 10–11:45 a.m.

Whistleblowing in the Workplace: Difficult Decisions for Everyone - Aaron Spink, MSOE

This class will discuss the problem of whistleblowing from two angles. First, we will cover two theories that outline when whistleblowing is morally permissible and morally obligated. Here the focus will be developing personal rules for the whistleblower to help motivate action, which we will analyze through several case studies. Second, we will look at the ethics of whistleblowing from a managerial perspective and the potential dangers of “chilling effects.” Lastly, we will critically evaluate the National Society for Professional Engineers code of ethics and how it might inform decisions on the topic.

Benefits include:

• Consistent engagement with ethical reasoning can help prevent moral slippage and encourage personal growth
• An in-depth analysis of the ethics of whistleblowing will give attendees tools to analyze and understand some of the major whistleblowing cases that have shaped our society.
• Understanding some of the worst whistleblowing cases can help avoid the same mistakes, create a more open workplace, and create a more productive workforce.

Participants will be able to articulate some of the key concepts surrounding the ethics of whistleblowing both through examining contemporary theory and historical cases. Attendees will also be able to relate what they learn to their professional code of ethics and develop “best practices” for how to create a workplace where societal harms are stopped before a whistleblower is necessary.

Lunch Break: 12–12:50 p.m.

Session Three: 1–2:45 p.m.

Process Reliability - Kathy Kerrigan, MSOE 

Process reliability is an important component of asset capacity.  This course will discuss methods of evaluating and improving process reliability.  Improving process reliability can delay and even remove the need for adding capital equipment. 

Participants will learn:

• Estimate the current reliability of assets
• Identify areas for reliability improvement in processes
• Evaluate the potential costs and benefits of reliability improvements
• Perform make vs buy analyses

Session Four: 3–4:45 p.m.

Systems Thinking  -  Dr. Dirk Baldwin, MSOE 

Systems thinking is a multi-perspective, holistic approach to analyzing and improving the complex systems we are part of and the systems we design. In this class, students will learn the systems thinking approach, and some of the techniques and tools used to understand systems and their outcomes. Systems thinking can be applied to multiple areas, including environmental ecosystems, business processes, social issues, entrepreneurial ideas, and product design. Students will be exposed to illustrative instances in each of these areas. 

Participants will:

• Identify key features of systems including reinforcing and balancing feedback loops
• Have an understanding of some systems thinking tools including the iceberg model, causal loop diagrams, and stock and flow simulations
• Identify common systems problems and opportunities.