Affiliation
2026 IEEE President-Elect
Principal Research Scientist Emeritus, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), USA
Jill I. Gostin
IEEE Fellow
Biography
Jill I. Gostin is a Principal Research Scientist Emeritus at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). Her work focused on sensor systems and software. She also served as the systems engineering, integration, and test lead in the software engineering and architecture division. Her publications, service and technical awards, large program management, and leadership of groups including industry, government, and academia have contributed to her career success.
She has served IEEE extensively, including three years on the IEEE Board of Directors, as 2023 IEEE Vice President of Member and Geographic Activities and 2020-2021 Region 3 Director. She is a former chair of the IEEE Atlanta Section and the IEEE Computer Society’s Atlanta Chapter. Gostin served on the IEEE Computer and IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems societies’ boards of governors and was the vice president of finance for the Sensor Council’s Executive Committee. She has also led or been a member of several IEEE organizational units and committees, locally and globally.
Her leadership has been recognized by being named 2016 Woman of the Year by Georgia Women in Technology and receiving the 2025 IEEE Women in Technology & Leadership Award.
Affiliation
FNAE, FNA, FASc, FIEEE, FISCA, FAPAS Life Fellow, IIT Kharagpur Adjunct Faculty, IIT Tirupati Distinguished Professor, IIT Hyderabad INSA Hon Scientist and Emeritus Professor International Institute of Information Technology
Prof. B. Yegnanarayana
IEEE Fellow
Biography
Prof. B. Yegnanarayana is an internationally renowned researcher, educator, and pioneer in the fields of Signal Processing, Speech Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, and Computer Vision. He currently serves as an INSA Honorary Scientist and Emeritus Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H), Hyderabad.
Over a distinguished academic career spanning more than six decades, Prof. Yegnanarayana has held several prestigious positions, including Institute Professor and Microsoft Chair at IIIT Hyderabad (2006–2016), Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Visiting Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
He received his B.Sc. degree from Andhra University and his B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees from IISc Bengaluru. His research contributions have significantly influenced the areas of speech processing, signal processing, machine learning, neural networks, and human-centered AI systems.
Prof. Yegnanarayana has authored more than 400 research publications and the widely acclaimed textbook Artificial Neural Networks. He has supervised 36 Ph.D. scholars and 42 M.S. theses, mentoring generations of researchers and academicians.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (USA), the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and the International Speech Communication Association. He has received numerous prestigious honors, including the INAE Prof. S. N. Mitra Memorial Award, the IISc Distinguished Alumnus Award, the INSA Sayed Husain Zaheer Medal, the Prof. Rais Ahmed Memorial Lecture Award, and the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur.
Prof. Yegnanarayana served as General Chair of the globally acclaimed Interspeech 2018 and has held editorial positions with leading international journals, including the IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing and the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.
At present, he continues to contribute to research and education as Distinguished Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Adjunct Faculty at Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Distinguished Adjunct Professor at IIIT Naya Raipur, and Life Fellow of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
His pioneering contributions to speech and signal processing, combined with his dedication to academic excellence and research leadership, have made him one of India's most respected scientists and educators in the field of engineering and technology.
Title of Talk
Evolution of AI from Learning to Deep Learning
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from rule-based systems to advanced data-driven models capable of learning and decision-making. Early AI relied on predefined rules and logic, limiting its ability to adapt to new situations. The introduction of Machine Learning (ML) enabled systems to learn patterns from data and improve performance without explicit programming. Further advancements led to Deep Learning (DL), a subset of ML that utilizes multi-layered neural networks to automatically extract complex features from large datasets. Deep Learning has significantly improved capabilities in areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition, and autonomous systems. This evolution from traditional AI to Deep Learning has transformed intelligent systems, making them more accurate, scalable, and capable of solving complex real-world problems.
Affiliation
Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data at Francisco de Vitoria University, Madrid Spain
Antonio L. Flores-Galea
IEEE Fellow
Biography
Antonio L. Flores-Galea has an M.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering and an M.Sc. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Seville and an MBA from IESE Business School. He is a professor of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data at Francisco de Vitoria University.
Antonio has been an advisor to the European Commission on AI, robotics, and other digital technologies since 2019. He is also a member of several IEEE standards committees and a Distinguished Lecturer at the Technology Engineering Management Society. He is the author of the “Innovation Frontiers” section at Libertad Digital in Spain, and he runs his international consulting firm, GIA Institute, focused on innovation management.
Antonio has been an IDC analyst and is the author of nine books, including “Una mente infinita” on AI, published in 2024 and “Un mundo virtual”, in 2025, by Tusquets Editores (Planeta Group), and “Journey to the Metaverse”, published in 2023 by Business Expert Press in the US. He has also published over 150 articles, including five scientific papers, and has given over 100 keynote presentations.
Title of Talk
AI and emerging technologies for societal impact
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are rapidly transforming the way societies address complex challenges across healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance. This work explores how AI-driven solutions, combined with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and data analytics, can create meaningful societal impact. By enabling data-informed decision-making, improving resource efficiency, and expanding access to essential services, these innovations have the potential to bridge socio-economic gaps and promote sustainable development. However, the adoption of such technologies also raises critical concerns related to ethics, privacy, and inclusivity. This study highlights key applications, opportunities, and challenges, emphasizing the need for responsible and human-centered implementation to ensure equitable benefits for all sections of society.
Affiliation
Hardware Engineer, Oracle, USA
Jeewika Ranaweera
IEEE Fellow
Biography
Jeewika Ranaweera is an accomplished technologist and engineer with a strong passion for using innovation to create meaningful societal impact. Her global journey across Sri Lanka, Cuba, Canada, and Silicon Valley has shaped her diverse perspective on engineering, creativity, and problem-solving. She believes engineering is not only about technical excellence but also about driving change, improving lives, and building a better, more inclusive world.
She spent over two decades at Oracle Corporation (formerly Sun Microsystems) as part of the SPARC microprocessor team, contributing to advanced product development from 2003 to 2023. Her areas of expertise include CMOS technology, FinFET design rules, silicon product debugging, data analytics for failure prediction, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). She has also worked extensively on layout validation, yield enhancement, and product tape-out methodologies, playing a key role in delivering high-performance semiconductor solutions.
Beyond her technical contributions, Jeewika is deeply engaged with the global engineering community through IEEE, where she serves in multiple roles including volunteer, ABET Program Evaluator, and advisor for Women in Engineering. She is a frequent speaker on emerging technologies such as quantum computing and immersive systems, advocating for diversity and addressing bias in AI. An author, speaker, and innovator, she has published several technical papers, contributed to educational initiatives, and holds five U.S. patents.
Talk details coming soon
Affiliation
Senior Scientist, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Oulu, Finland
Dr. Nishu Gupta
Senior Member, IEEE
Biography
Dr. Nishu Gupta is a Senior Scientist at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, located in Oulu, Finland. Until recently, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Electronic Systems, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Gjøvik, Norway. He is also a Visiting Researcher in the Department of Informatics at the University of Oviedo, Gijón, Spain, under the Systems for Multimedia and the Internet of Things (SMIOT) research group.
Dr. Gupta is a Member of the Zero Trust Architecture Working Group of the MeitY-C-DAC-STQC project under “e-Governance Standards and Guidelines” of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, MNNIT Allahabad, Prayagraj, India, an Institute of National Importance declared by the Government of India. His specialization lies in Computer Communication and Networking, with major contributions in Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor network-based enhanced safety applications for vehicular communication.
Dr. Nishu Gupta is the recipient of the Best Paper Presentation Award at the 4th International Conference on Computer and Communication Systems held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2019. He has published more than 62 research articles in IEEE Transactions and SCI/Scopus indexed journals, along with 5 patents. He has supervised numerous Master’s theses and Bachelor-level projects in his core research domains.
He has authored and edited several books with internationally renowned publishers including Taylor & Francis, Springer, Wiley, and Scrivener. Dr. Gupta also serves on the editorial boards of various reputed international journals and transactions and has reviewed for more than twenty SCI indexed journals, including IEEE Transactions on ITS, IEEE Access, and IET Communications. He has been awarded twice for Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing by Elsevier and has chaired and organized several international conferences and events successfully.
His research interests include 5G/6G communication architecture, Edge Computing, Network Management, Smart Wireless Systems, Internet of Things, Internet of Vehicles, Ad-Hoc Networks, Vehicular Communication, Driving Efficiency, and Cognitive Computing.
Talk details coming soon
Affiliation
Full Professor of Computer Science, Avignon University, France
Prof. Abderrahim Benslimane
IEEE VTS Distinguished Lecturer/Speaker
Biography
Prof. Abderrahim Benslimane is Full Professor of Computer Science at Avignon University, France, where he has been serving since 2001. He previously held several important academic leadership positions, including Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology and Head of the Master Degree program SICOM. He is also an IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) Distinguished Lecturer/Speaker and served as an International Expert at the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs from 2012 to 2016.
He also served as Coordinator of the Faculty of Engineering and Head of the Research Center in Informatics at the French University in Egypt. Throughout the period from 1998 to 2025, he repeatedly received the prestigious French award for doctoral supervision and research, granted every four years. He was additionally honored with the French Award of Scientific Excellency during 2011–2014.
Before joining Avignon University, Prof. Benslimane worked as Associate Professor at the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard since September 1994. He obtained the Habilitation to Supervise Researches (HDR) in 2000 from the University of Cergy-Pontoise, France. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science in 1993 and DEA (M.S.) in 1989 from the Franche-Comté University of Besançon, France, and his Bachelor’s degree in 1987 from the University of Nancy, France.
Currently, he serves as Vice Chair of the IEEE VTS Committee on Mission Critical Communications and Vice-Chair of the IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) Social Network Technical Committee. He also served as Steering Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Multimedia Communications Technical Committee during 2022–2024, after serving as its Vice Chair from 2020–2022. He is the past Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Technical Committee on Communication and Information Security (2017–2019).
Prof. Benslimane is actively involved in editorial and conference leadership roles across IEEE and international research communities. He is Area Editor for Communications and Information Security at the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, Advisory Board Member of the IEEE Internet of Things Journal, and Associate Editor of several highly reputed journals including IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, and Elsevier Ad Hoc Networks.
He has served as General Chair of the IEEE WiMob conference series since 2005 and was General Chair of IEEE CNS 2020 and IEEE CNS 2025. He has also guest edited numerous special issues and participated extensively in steering committees and technical program committees of major IEEE international conferences. Additionally, he held leadership positions within IEEE France Section/Region 8, including Board Committee Member and Vice-Chair of Student Activities, as well as Publication Vice-Chair and Conference Vice-Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Technical Committee on Communication and Information Security.
Prof. Benslimane has authored more than 320 refereed international publications, including books, journal articles, conference papers, and proceedings, and has contributed to more than 25 special issues. He has supervised over 25 Ph.D. theses and more than 42 M.Sc. research theses. His research interests broadly include wireless communications, vehicular networks, mobile computing, multimedia communications, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, and mission-critical communications.