MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and more will be among the topics of focus at the 2026 Tech Vision hosted by the Business and Economic Research Center, Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

Registration is open for this year’s event, set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Miller Education Center, 503 E. Bell St. Free and open to the public, registration is available at https://berc.mtsu.edu/2026-tech-vision/ and closes Friday, April 3. Public parking will be available on surface lots at Highland Avenue and Bell Street. 

The theme for this year’s conference is “Preparing for an Accelerating and Emerging Future with AI,” with guest speakers and panels scheduled throughout the day. The day begins at 8 a.m. with student research poster presentations judged by industry partners, in conjunction with breakfast and networking, before the formal conference begins at 9 a.m.

Founder and organizer Dr. Sam Zaza, associate professor of Information Systems and Analytics and BERC associate director, said this year’s event builds on last year’s AI focus by, among other things, further exploring its ethical implications and its impact on higher education, industry, government (local and state), the workforce, and society in general.

‘It’s fast changing’

This year’s primary focus is on future readiness, technological acceleration, and the role of AI in shaping the future of work. Organizers say the event will empower participants “to make informed decisions about emerging technologies by bringing forward practical applications and innovations, ethical considerations, pressing challenges, and strategies for alignment.”

“Industry is already integrating AI at a rapid pace, and we are seeing shifts in the workforce, particularly at the entry level. The expectation is no longer just technical proficiency, but the ability to work with AI in meaningful ways,” said Zaza. “This raises an important question for higher education: how do we evolve quickly enough to prepare graduates for roles that are continuing to change? This is not a gradual shift as it is happening in real time. 

“This is not just about new tools. The nature of work itself is changing, and higher education has to prepare students for what these roles are becoming.” 

The conference will feature concurrent sessions throughout the day for attendees to choose from, based on their interests. Topics include artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, digital transformation,  and workforce readiness and trends.

A key priority is leveling the playing field in both the workplace and higher education regarding AI and other emerging tech trends. Through the keynote addresses, expert-led panels, attendees will gain practical and strategic guidance on the latest technology trends and their implications for society, business and education.

One of the big implications is the ethics surrounding the use of AI technology, Zaza noted. While the majority of the discussion up to this point has focused on the ethics surrounding the user, perhaps that perspective needs to shift radically, given increasing reports of flaws in AI platforms that lead to incorrect information being provided to users.

“Ethics is a critical part of the conversation around AI. We need guardrails, but is that up to the actual developer? Should we put those guardrails on the technology itself?” Zaza said. “We really need to shift our mindset. It’s not just the user. Why don’t we start from the artifact itself? And think about those guardrails and try to develop the tools and platforms based on them. And then you put additional guardrails for the user, depending on your context.

“Tech Vision brings together higher education, industry, and government to better understand these changes and translate them into practical action” added Zaza.

Keynote speakers

Keynote speakers during the day include Nathan Buttrey, a senior advisor within the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and Kristin Darby, chief information officer for the state of Tennessee.

Buttrey was appointed last August as senior advisor to Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner and Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter to lead the state’s newly formed Office of Innovation. Backed by Gov. Bill Lee’s $63 million investment in innovation, Buttrey is tasked with helping position Tennessee as a place where companies research, test and build for the future in their own backyard. The Office of Innovation’s first initiative is the IRIS Grant, designed to strengthen partnerships between industry and Tennessee’s top research institutes.

With more than 25 years of experience leading digital transformation across the public sector, health care, finance, and cybersecurity, Darby took on her CIO role with the state last summer. She co-chairs both the state of Tennessee AI Council and the Tennessee Cybersecurity Advisory Council, in addition to serving on the Tennessee Homeland Security Council. Darby is a certified director with the National Association of Corporate Directors and a bank director, a certified public accountant, and a certified fraud examiner.

Industry sponsors for this year’s event include Co.Lab, IonQ, CQC, IonQ, Middle Tennessee Electric, EPB, Accenture, GraybaR, Cyberscape Technology, Enlighten Technologies, BePresent events, Murfreesboro Technology Council, Women in Technology of Tennessee (WiTT), ISACA Middle Tennessee Chapter, Arista Networks and Melillo Consulting. 

University sponsors include the College of Graduate Studies, MTSU Grad AI, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Tennessee Small Business Development Centers, Office of the Provost, College of Education, Jones College of Business, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, QRISE Center, University College, Office of International Affairs, Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, James E. Walker Library, and the Information Systems and Analytics Department.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)