Harnessing AI: The Next Frontier in Manufacturing Innovation
Tuesday, December 16, 5pm -7:30pm
mHUB | 1623 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL
Join us to stay ahead, or risk being left behind! AI is moving from pilots to the production line—and manufacturing will never look the same. The expert panel will explore how the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is reshaping advanced manufacturing and robotics.
We’ll discuss how the next generation of AI is driving breakthroughs in automation, quality control, workforce productivity, and products while also examining the challenges and opportunities it creates for scaling, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
Hosted in collaboration with mHUB, this program taps one of the nation’s leading hardtech communities to ground the discussion in real-world implementation.
Expect actionable insights on the next frontier of manufacturing innovation — plus time for audience Q&A and networking with Midwest manufacturing leaders.
Format: 60-minute panel + audience Q&A, followed by a networking reception.
Reserve your spot—limited seating!
EXPERT SPEAKERS:
Greg Smith
Gregory (Greg) Smith was Executive Vice President of Enterprise Operations and Chief Financial Officer at The Boeing Company, the world's largest aerospace company and the largest US exporter, from 2011 until his retirement in July 2021. Smith joined American Airlines board of directors in January 2022 and was appointed Chairman of the Board as of April 2023. He has been an independent director of Intel’s board of directors since March 2017. Smith also sits on several private company boards including Shield AI, Sierra Nevada Space Corp, Ignium, Sugar23 and a board observer/advisor to Jolly and Robot.com. He is the CEO and co-founder of G2 Equity Partners, an aerospace and defense private equity firm based in Chicago, IL. Additionally, he serves on the boards of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare.
David Caputo
David Caputo is the Co-Founder of Harmoni Solutions, Inc., a factory orchestration platform that unifies people, machines, and processes to improve productivity on the shop floor. Harmoni employs AI agents that leverage real-time operational data to streamline workflows and support decision making. David is also the Founder and Managing Partner of RVE Partners, a New York–based private equity firm focused on control investments in the manufacturing industry. David serves as Chairman of WHI Global, LLC, a supplier of complex assemblies and components to the aerospace sector, and as a Director of KeyData Associates Inc., a cybersecurity advisory and services firm backed by CIVC Partners. Earlier in his career, David was a Director in the Global Investment Banking and Leveraged Finance group at RBC Capital Markets. David holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Aaron Campbell
Aaron Campbell is the Founder and CEO of Autopilot, a stealth startup shaping how the world discovers and adopts robotics and physical AI. Autopilot is building technology that makes it easy for businesses to find, evaluate, and scale the robots best fit for their unique operations — accelerating automation adoption across industries without the complexity, risk, or capital burden traditionally associated with robotics adoption. Before founding Autopilot, Aaron helped lead robotics and automation strategy for SoftBank’s Vision Fund portfolio and for Daimler Truck North America (Mercedes-Benz), where he helped define how autonomous commercial vehicles would be brought to market in partnership with Waymo and Torc Robotics. Aaron is an award-winning network science researcher (NSF, NASA, Army Research Lab) turned leading expert in robotics commercialization and autonomous systems strategy, Aaron has driven go-to-market and partnership initiatives for some of the world’s most recognized companies — including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Magna, Ryder Logistics, FedEx, Stanford Health, and John Deere, among others.
Rajesh Iyengar
Rajesh Iyengar is the Founder & CEO of Lincode Labs, an AI-powered visual inspection company transforming manufacturing quality. With over 20 years in technology and more than a decade of hands-on AI expertise, including two successful Silicon Valley exits, he builds cutting-edge computer-vision and automation systems for global production environments. Rajesh leads the development of the patent-pending LIVIS™ platform, a no-code, rapid-deployment AI system that dramatically reduces manual inspection time and labor costs. Lincode powers quality for world-class manufacturers, including BMW, Boeing, Toyota, Suzuki, Magna, Schneider Electric, and Harley-Davidson. He is deeply focused on bringing frontier AI, robotics, and machine-learning innovation to the factory floor — reducing escape defects and accelerating digital transformation across industries.
Peter Wilkins, Panel Moderator
Pete Wilkins is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and AI innovator. He serves as Managing Partner of Hyde Park Angels (HPA) and founder of Omaxn, the premier Midwest AI forum. As HPA’s leader, he spearheaded its evolution from a traditional angel network into an institutional-grade venture investor, cultivating HPA into one of the top early-stage venture groups in the country. In 2023, Wilkins founded Omaxn, which has quickly become the Midwest’s leading forum for AI leadership. Through this platform, Wilkins promotes knowledge sharing across industries and purposeful AI development to strengthen the Midwest’s economy and talent base. Earlier in his career, Wilkins played key roles in two technology startups that achieved exits totaling over $2.8 billion before he turned 30. He went on to lead the turnaround of a private-equity-backed medical education company from record losses to record profits, and he founded a venture focused on increasing college attainment for Latino families. Beyond his executive roles, Wilkins is the author of Purpose First Entrepreneur, an Amazon #1 bestseller on aligning purpose with business success, and a Forbes contributor on innovation and investing in the Midwest.
