Bradley Brings TEDx to Peoria

Over 80 Bradley students and Peoria community members attended this week’s TEDx Bradley University event, marking a thought-provoking success for the first-time endeavor. The theme of the program was “Discovery and Value Creation.”

The event, like TEDx programs around the world, was an independently organized series of talks meant to spark discussion and connection in much the same way as a standard TED event. Topics touched on during the speeches included technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, sustainability, energy and human thought and expression.

Speakers for the event included local entrepreneur and founder of VirtuSense Technologies Deepak Gaddipati, Air Force Major General Gary Dylewski and four Bradley professors: Seth Katz, Heather Ford, Brad Eskridge and David Spelman. 

AI was one of the most discussed topics, with Gaddipati exploring the role of AI in healthcare, Ford delving into generative AI design, and Katz taking on the impact of AI on society as a whole. Meanwhile, Eskridge discussed motivation, Spelman explored sustainable infrastructure and Dylewski discussed nuclear energy. 

TEDx Bradley University was part of a larger week-long Play in Peoria showcase in which music, entertainment, innovation and art all come together to show off what makes Peoria such a special home.

The TEDx event was organized by interim dean for the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology and the Foster College of Business, Kris Maillacheruvu, as well as the acting associate dean of new initiatives for the Foster College of Business, Joshua Lewer, and administrative assistant to the dean for the Foster College of Business, Amie Love.

–Jenevieve Rowley-Davis