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A celebration 40 years in the making is coming to Willis Tower

We'll see you on September 19, 2024!

Featuring a panel discussion on "The Impact of AI on Software Delivery and Quality"

In 1984, four QA Managers met for lunch in downtown Chicago to share information about their QA activities and discuss common challenges.  They all agreed that bringing together QA professionals would contribute to the growth of the QA profession.  The first official CQAA meeting was held September 1984 at BMO/Harris Bank with 15 participants.  Since then, the Chicago Quality Assurance Association has grown to over 2,500 members. 

Join us for a look back on 40 years of the Chicago Quality Assurance Association, highlighted by a panel discussion on “The Impact of AI on Software Delivery and Quality”.  Before the panel, we'll have refreshments and time to meet CQAA's sponsors while enjoying the views and setting of the Steel Room on the 33rd Floor.  After the panel, we will have additional social time to enjoy each other’s company and look forward to another 40 years!

Register here!

Who Should Attend

This event is for more than just software testers and CQAA members.  We would love to celebrate our milestone with the entire technical community across Chicago!  Please share with your professional contacts and anyone who is passionate about everything we have achieved as a collective of software developers, architects, testers, business analysts, Agile professionals and more over the past 40 years.

Location

Willis Tower

233 S. Wacker Drive, 33rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

Agenda

2:00 - 3:00 Onsite Registration and Networking, Meet the Sponsors, Raffles, and Refreshments  (99th floor)

3:00 – 3:20 Welcome and Looking Back at 40 Years

3:20 – 4:45 AI Panel Discussion

4:45 – 6:30 Reception with Drinks and Appetizers (33rd floor)


The Panel

Like the Internet a generation ago, widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence has reached an inflection point. To some, AI means large language models and ChatGPT. To others, it means breakthroughs in data processing and security threat detection. If you’re old enough, it may still mean the threat of having cybertronic overlords on the day Skynet became aware.

Nowhere is the impact of AI’s growth been felt more strongly than on the business of creating software itself. LLMs can write code for many algorithms as cleanly as some developers, and identify test cases a QA analyst would likely have missed. What does all of this mean for our place in the software industry, our professional responsibilities, the very existence of our jobs?

Learn and interact with our panel of industry and academic experts as we dive deep into those questions and many others which will impact how we build, deliver and use software for years to come.

Our panel will be moderated by Paul Herzog, Vice President of CQAA

Register here!



Our Panelists


David Giard, Product Solution Architect, Microsoft

David Giard is a former accountant and a former biochemist, who has been developing solutions using Microsoft technologies for over three decades. Currently, David helps people design and build solutions in his role as a Partner Solution Architect at Microsoft. David has been very active in the developer community, speaking at numerous major conferences, code camps, and user groups around the world; helping to lead user groups; and helping to organize conferences and other geek events.

He is the host and producer of the mildly popular online TV shows Technology and Friends and GCast. He is the co-author of the Wrox book Real World .NET, C#, and Silverlight. You can read his latest thoughts at DavidGiard.com. His hobbies include video, photography, sports, and embarrassing his sons.


Stanley Biryukov, Senior Manager of Machine Learning Engineering, United

Stan Biryukov is Senior Manager of Machine Learning Engineering at United Airlines, serving on the AI Center of Excellence team. With over a decade of experience in data science, applied machine learning, and product development, he drives a customer-centric strategy focused on empowering employees and customers with responsible Generative AI solutions. Stan leads teams that drive AI innovation and deliver industry-leading technology solutions that help make United Airlines the best in aviation.

Previously, Stan held leadership positions at several startups, delivering high-impact, customer-focused products. He holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS from the University of Washington. Stan has contributed to over 60 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is passionate about fostering multi-disciplinary collaboration to advance AI for social good.



Brad Purcell, Senior Director of Business Development, Tricentis

Brad is the Sr. Director of Business Development at Tricentis, where he serves as a strategic leader in the SAP practice. With a career spanning over 25 years in quality assurance, Brad has been instrumental in guiding companies through their digital transformations, promoting a quality-first philosophy. His visionary leadership has been crucial in transitioning the industry from a "user does" to a "user decides" approach when considering AI in quality assurance.

Brad’s experience in AI for quality assurance includes a focus on machine learning and autonomous automated test creation. He has been a key figure in educating executives on the future of testing, helping them understand and leverage the benefits of gen-AI, which he considers a revolutionary force in the quality assurance industry.

As a seasoned speaker, having shared his insights at notable conferences such as the SAP BTP Conference, SAP Sapphire Orlando, and SAP Sapphire Barcelona. His contributions continue to shape and invigorate the technology landscape, making him a thought leader in AI and quality assurance.


Dr. Mohammed Abuhamad, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Mohammed Abuhamad is the director and founder of the AI for Secure Computing Research Lab (AISeC) and serves as a faculty member in multiple labs including Cybersecurity Lab and Software and Systems Lab. Dr. Abuhamad’s research focuses on AI system security, information security and privacy, responsible AI, and data analytics. He holds two Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida and in Electrical and Computer Engineering from INHA University, South Korea. 

Dr. Abuhamad’s current responsibilities include directing the AI for Secure Computing Research Lab at Loyola University Chicago, where he leads projects on vulnerability analysis of deep learning systems, secure AI models, and IoT malware analysis, and other projects. His work involves developing and evaluating novel AI models for various applications, investigating the robustness of AI models, and analyzing the threat landscape against AI and computer systems. He also teaches courses on Big Data Analytics and Deep Learning and supervises graduate students in their research projects related to AI and cybersecurity.



Register here!

Our Sponsors

CQAA would like to thank our generous sponsors in their support of making our 40th Anniversary event happen.  Please visit their tables at our event and their sites!

                                      

                    











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