Milwaukee, WI (January 30, 2026) — The Greater Milwaukee Urban League will host
Navigating the AI Revolution, a thought-provoking luncheon, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at The Pfister Hotel. This inaugural event marks the Urban League’s strategic focus on preparing the region’s workforce and business community for the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence across every sector of the economy.
The luncheon will feature a Fireside Chat moderated by Kevin Newell, Founder and CEO of Royal Capital, with Dwight Diercks, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at NVIDIA. The conversation will explore AI’s rapid evolution, its real-world applications, and the importance of ensuring that communities are prepared to participate in a technology-driven economy.
Dwight Diercks is an early NVIDIA pioneer and strategic philanthropist who has committed over $57 million to transforming education and healthcare through artificial intelligence. His investments include establishing the nation’s first AI-focused Computer Science program at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), funding the $3.2 million “Flight Path 2030” initiative to bring cutting-edge technology education to rural K-12 students in Red Wing, Minnesota, and committing $20 million to Mayo Clinic for AI-driven early cancer detection and personalized treatment research. As the founder of the annual ROSIE Awards at MSOE, Diercks continues to champion student innovation in AI across robotics, biomedical engineering, and real-world problem-solving.
Artificial intelligence is accelerating transformation across every sector—from manufacturing and healthcare to financial services and education. Navigating the AI Revolution is designed to provide actionable insight into how organizations and communities can navigate disruption, build digital fluency, and bridge the digital divide through informed leadership and access to innovation.
“AI is no longer a future discussion—it’s a present-day reality shaping how we live, work, and compete,” said Dr. Eve M. Hall, President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Urban League. “This event creates space for informed dialogue on how technology can strengthen communities and expand opportunity.”
“The question isn’t whether AI will transform our economy—it’s whether our communities will have equitable access to participate in that transformation,” said Kevin Newell, Founder and CEO of Royal Capital. “This conversation is about ensuring Milwaukee’s business leaders and workforce are positioned not just to adapt to change, but to drive it.”
“What excites me most about AI isn’t the technology itself—it’s watching students and
communities gain the tools to solve problems we haven’t even imagined yet,” said Dwight
Diercks, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at NVIDIA. “Milwaukee has incredible potential to become a leader in AI innovation, and events like this are critical to making that happen.”
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. Networking | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Program and Luncheon
Location: The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee, WI
Registration: Required. Visit https://EV2026.givesmart.com for tickets and information.
