Thank you to those who attended this year's event!
North Mississippi – Top Wired Region in Rural America!
Digital Innovation
2024
Digital Innovation, hosted by MEGAPOP, is Mississippi's Leading Digital Security, Business, Technology, and Education Event.
Network with leading experts, state leaders and regional partners.
Join us on October 1st and 2nd to find your success in the digital age! Sign up to receive reminders and updates!
Testimonials
Keynote Speakers
Nick is a world-renowned Strategist, Bestselling Author, and Futurist. His best-selling books include, What Customers Crave, What Customers Hate, The Innovation Mandate, The Healthcare Mandate, Happy Work and Lucid Leadership.
Nick is the CEO of LeaderLogic, a Management Consulting Firm that provides Consulting and Training Services to the top brands in the world.
He has been awarded over 40 Patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office for a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including one of the world’s smallest medical implants.
Nick has served as a Chief Innovation Officer and an Adjunct Professor at a top medical school. Nick was awarded his Doctorate of Humane Letters (hon.) for his contributions in healthcare.
Pablos is a technology futurist, an inventor with more than 70 patents, and one of the most renowned hackers in the world who has a unique ability to solve problems with new technologies. He has spoken on 500+ stages including
Stanford, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Microsoft CEO
Summit, The FORTUNE CEO Summit, the CIA, and more.
His TED talks, speeches and interviews have over 30 Million views. Pablos isn’t just talking about the future, he’s building it.
Pablos has been a cypherpunk working on cryptocurrency since the 1990s. He also worked for Jeff Bezos to start Blue Origin to invent alternatives to space rockets. Pablos helped start Intellectual Ventures Lab for Nathan Myhrvold, and he worked with Bill Gates for the Global Good Fund to do impact invention work for the developing world.
Today, Pablos is leading Deep Future, investing in startups that are implementing science fiction to solve the biggest problems in the world.
Expert & Breakout Session Speakers
Andrea Hickerson, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, School of Journalism and New Media, University of Mississippi
Andrea Hickerson, Ph.D., is Dean and Professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Her research concerns media forensics and information quality. She routinely collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and experts in artificial intelligence, law, computer science and cybersecurity. One such team, DeFake, is building a deepfake detection tool for journalists. This work is supported by grants from the Knight Foundation and the National Science Foundation. In Fall 2023 Dr. Hickerson was named the co-director of the National Center for Narrative Intelligence at the University of Mississippi. This new, one-of-a-kind, interdisciplinary center is dedicated to understanding how artificial intelligence contributes to the circulation, effects, consumption and characteristics of digital media narratives.
Christopher Hudson, Ph.D.
Research Engineer for Advanced Vehicle Systems at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) at Mississippi State University
Christopher R. Hudson earned his B.S. in Computer Science in 2014 from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In 2022 Dr. Hudson earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University. Dr. Hudson works on a variety of projects focusing on offroad autonomous systems. This works explores both modeling and simulation combined with real world testing and validation. His dissertation focused on the effects of ecological simulation for ground vehicle mobility forecasting. Dr. Hudson's work extends into Virtual Reality, with a focus on designing interactions in dynamic environments to explore human computer interactions in complex scenarios in a safe and controlled manner. This work involves interactions with and around autonomous systems and immersive training for controlling remote systems.
Paul Chaney
Digital Marketing Strategist and
Ethical AI Advocate
Paul Chaney is a distinguished digital marketing strategist and business storyteller with over 26 years of industry experience. He masterfully connects brands with their audience using compelling content across various mediums, using the internet as his primary canvas. As the head of Prescriptive Writing, Paul offers services as a B2B freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and book writing coach.A four-time author, Paul has contributed extensively to the literature on digital marketing, with significant works that include “The Digital Handshake” and “The Social Commerce Handbook.”In addition to his digital marketing expertise, Paul is the publisher of the “AI Marketing Ethics Digest,” a newsletter that explores the critical intersection of AI ethics and marketing. This publication serves as a platform for discussing the ethical implications of AI technologies in marketing and advocating for responsible and ethical AI use.
Shawn J. Wolfe
Director, Cyber Crime Division
Mississippi Attorney General's Office
Shawn Wolfe is the Director of the Cyber Crime Division at the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. He oversees the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Mississippi Cyber Fraud Task Force, and the forensic examiner unit. He arrived in 2023, after more than two decades with the United States Secret Service. In his last position as Resident Agent in Charge of the Jackson, Mississippi office, Wolfe oversaw all budgetary, investigative and protective operations. Wolfe partnered with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office to establish the Mississippi Cyber Fraud Task Force in April 2021. Between 2005-2009, Wolfe served in the Presidential Protective Division. In 2010, Mr. Wolfe was selected for a congressional fellowship on the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. In 2011, Wolfe returned to the investigative field where he investigated financial crimes and protective interest threats. In 2016, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Congressional Affairs Division. Wolfe received both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science from Florida State University in Criminology.
Daniel Carruth, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Advanced Vehicle Systems at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) at Mississippi State University
Daniel Carruth received his B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering in 2001 and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from Mississippi State University in 2008. Dr. Carruth's research includes modeling and simulation of autonomous ground vehicles in off-road environments and studies of human interaction with autonomous vehicles, as well as investigations of physical and cognitive aspects of human task performance in law enforcement, military, and industrial work. Some recent projects include developing virtual environments and test scenarios, designing test standards for military off-road autonomous vehicles, and using virtual reality for training and education. Dr. Carruth is currently co-chair of NATO AVT-408, an international research group working towards demonstration of a framework for modeling and simulation of off-road autonomous ground vehicles. He also leads an international effort to define standards for modeling and simulation of off-road autonomy.
Gerard R. Gibert, CCP
Co-Founder Venture Technologies
Gerard Gibert co-founded Venture Technologies, a Technology Solutions and Cloud Services Provider in Ridgeland, MS, in 1986. He served as CEO of Venture from inception until its sale in January 2019 to ConvergeOne (CVON), a $2 billion technology solutions provider based in Minneapolis, MN. A regular speaker to civic, academic, and political audiences, Gibert earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Mississippi. From 1980-1985, he worked as a senior consultant in the Management Information Consulting Division of Arthur Andersen & Co., the business unit that evolved into Accenture, a global professional services firm specializing in digital, cloud and cybersecurity services and consulting. Gerard hosts MidDays with Gerard Gibert, which airs on SuperTalk Mississippi, each weekday, 10 am to 1 pm. Heard statewide, MidDays features interviews with state and federal elected officials as well as civic leaders, business executives, and policy advocates from across Mississippi. Each show includes Gibert’s insightful, often controversial commentary on political, economic, and cultural issues shaping the state and nation.
Betsey Smith
Director, Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University
A career and technical educator for more than 25 years, Betsey Smith taught family and consumer science courses in Louisiana. She also helped create and implement a career center as the career counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in family and consumer science education from Louisiana State University and a master's in counseling from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. As Director, Smith oversees and provides strategic leadership, overall management, direct support and supervision for all aspects of the CTE-related activities and projects. She is an expert in school counseling education and family consumer science education, and she has used her expertise in assisting with writing and implementing curricula, providing leadership for a cross-functional team of professionals at the RCU, and collaborates with leaders across Mississippi pertaining to K-12 education and workforce development.
John McDermott
Director, Esports Programs at The
University of Mississippi
John McDermott came to the University of Mississippi in August of 2022, after 4 years of building a successful program at Long Island University in New York. Ole Miss Esports focuses three areas of the industry: academics, club and community, and competitive.
John’s background in esports started in high school where he balanced being a professional video game player, and a three-sport varsity athlete. After a stint playing college football, John returned to esports playing amateurly and managing teams for a game known as League of Legends. In 2017, John took over as head producer and product manager putting on tournaments for DuoEsports. In 2018, John was one of the founding members and consultants for St. John’s University Esports programs, where he led tryouts and advised Sports Management Chair, Dr. David Hedlund in setting up their program. When he graduated in 2019 from St. John’s University with a Masters of Professional Studies in Sports Management, John was hired at Long Island University to be their first head coach of esports. In a dual role, John so the expansion of the program from 7 students that spring to 42 students at the end of the first semester. The Sharks saw success competitively in their first semester capturing a conference title and establishing themselves as a major program in ECAC. Over John’s four years at Long Island University, he was promoted to Director of the program having grown the program to over 300 students across the schools two campuses.
In 2022, John was selected to be the first director of Ole Miss Esports, overseeing the growth and development of the program. Under John’s guidance, the program has found competitive success in Rocket League and League of Legends. As of last year, both teams have peaked top 5 nationally. John has also guided the university into creating an esports minor, which is intended to help students get engaged in the professional side of the industry as it is one of the fasting growing spaces in the professional world.”
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
- Japanese Proverb
Splicing Rodeo
Are you a student that wants to learn more about fiber splicing? Register to participate in Tombigbee Electric Power Association and Ole Miss's training and you could earn a chance for a scholarship to Northeast Community College Fiber Technician Certification Program!
Agenda
Tuesday,
October 1st
Wednesday,
October 2nd
8:00am-12:00pm
Splicing Rodeo
Fiber splicing training for High School students by Tombigbee Electric Power Association and Ole Miss Technicians with a chance to earn a scholarship to Northeast Community College Fiber Technician Certification Program
1:30pm-1:45pm
Opening Session
1:45pm-2:15pm
Expert Speaker
Dean Andrea Hickerson – University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media
From False Claims to Deepfakes: How AI Helps and Hurts Fact-checking
2:15pm-2:20pm
Introduction – Pablos Holman
2:20pm-3:50pm
Keynote Speaker
Pablos Holman - Technology futurist, inventor with more than 70 patents, and one of the most renowned hackers in the world
Implementing Science Fiction
3:50pm-4:10pm
BREAK
4:10pm-5:00pm
Breakout Sessions
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AI Writing/Marketing - Paul Chaney
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Cybercrime Trends - Shawn J. Wolfe
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Workforce Development - Betsey Smith
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Esports - John McDermott
5:00pm-6:30pm
RECEPTION
8:00am-8:20am
Breakfast
8:20am-8:25am
8:25am-8:55am
Welcome and Introduction
Expert Speaker
Gerard Gibert – Co-Founder Venture Technologies
Trends in Technology Shaping Society
8:55am-9:00am
Introduction
9:00am-9:45am
Daniel Carruth/Christopher Hudson - Mississippi State Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS)
Conquering Off-Road Autonomy: Exploring the Technology behind Mississippi State University’s Off-road Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Expert Speaker
9:45am-10:00am
BREAK
10:00am-10:05am
Introduction – Nick Webb
10:05am-11:35am
Nick Webb - World-renowned Strategist, Bestselling Author, and Futurist
The Chaotic Future of Digital Innovation
Keynote Speaker
11:35am-11:45am
BREAK
11:45am-12:10pm
LUNCH
12:10pm-12:20pm
Splicing Rodeo Awards
12:20pm-12:35pm
Innovate Award
12:35pm-1:00pm
Closing Remarks
What you need to know
Fiber to the home is now available in most of North Mississippi with C-Spire and the North Mississippi Electric Cooperatives leading the way – building over 16,000 miles of fiber, passing 218,979 homes and businesses that now have over 83,000 subscribers. The Cooperatives have invested over $522 million and continue to build at a rapid rate.
MEGAPOP was founded in 2002 to promote broadband services in rural North Mississippi. MEGAPOP's mission was to enhance economic development and improve the quality of life for the residents of North Mississippi through the delivery of enhanced broadband services. In 2005, MEGAPOP in partnership with C-Spire Fiber lit a fiber ring that currently serves two-thirds of the state of Mississippi. Since the initial lighting, MEGAPOP and C-Spire expanded the network, adding new rings with additional access throughout North Mississippi creating a vital middle mile network for future growth.
Event Location
Digital Innovation will be held at The Cadence Bank Arena & Conference Center located at 375 East Main Street, Tupelo Mississippi 38804.
Event Date & Time
Tuesday, October 1st
Save the date!
Wednesday, October 2nd
Save the date!
World Class Speakers
Two impactful speakers will lead this two day event through an exciting journey to inspire and educate you and your thriving companies!
Professional Networking
Not only will you hear from some incredible industry experts, but it is also your chance to build your network with other great leaders in your community.
We have blocked several hotel rooms for our out-of-town guests that are close by. Please use the links or group codes below when making your reservations. We can't wait to see you!