Forward Fest 2025

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9:00am CDT

AI for Non-Techies: Yes, You Can Use This Too

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Curious about AI but feeling overwhelmed by the tech lingo? This session is designed for small business owners who want practical, approachable ways to use artificial intelligence—no coding, no jargon, no prior experience needed.

In just 60 minutes, you’ll get a clear understanding of what AI is (and isn’t), how it fits into your day-to-day operations, and how to confidently begin using it. We'll walk through five easy-to-use AI tools that can help with tasks like content creation, scheduling, email writing, customer communication, and more.

You’ll learn:

How AI can work with you (not replace you)

What tools are worth trying first—and why

Live demos of each tool with real-world small business examples

Tips for using AI while keeping your voice authentic and human

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with simple next steps, no stress, and a better understanding of how AI can support your business today—not someday.

Hosted by Golden Innovation Group

Event Organizers

Amy Calder

Principal Owner, Golden Innovation Group

Amy Calder is the founder of Golden Innovation Group and a business optimization consultant who helps small business owners and solopreneurs streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and reclaim their time. Drawing from over two decades of corporate leadership in life sciences... Read More →

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual

Free, Virtual

Host Organization Golden Innovation Group
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference

9:00am CDT

DevFest

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT

University of Wisconsin Memorial Union

Check out our Website

DevFest WI is an inclusivity-themed conference for any and all folks in tech. Now in our seventh year, we're returning again to the beautiful UW Memorial Union for a day filled with a wide variety of talks on topics related to building inclusive and accessible products, teams, and environments.

Hosted by Women In Tech / GDG

Event Organizers

Jillana Kelly

Forward Fest Board

Sponsors

GDG

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT
University of Wisconsin Memorial Union 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706

Premium, In Person (DevFest)

Host Organization Women In Tech / GDG
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference, Social

4:30pm CDT

AIpocalypse? The tectonic moment for brand and creativity in the time of Artificial General Intelligence and beyond

Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT

SPEAK STUDIO HQ at The Hub @

Optimist or pessimist? Architect or casualty? The world is changing—now—and creativity, branding, and identity will never be the same.

AIpocalypse is a bold, live-studio experience hosted by technologist and thought leader **Matt Boatright-Simon**, joined by a powerhouse lineup of visionary artists, strategists, futurists, and AI experts. Together, they explore the radical disruption—and unexpected possibility—AI brings to the creative world.

Will humanity be rendered obsolete? Will we unlock superpowers beyond imagination? Or are we entering entirely uncharted terrain?

From provocative demos to unscripted conversations, **AIpocalypse** dives into the cultural, economic, and existential stakes of Artificial General Intelligence.

This description written by a human + AI hybrid

Event Organizers

Matt Boatright-Simon

SPEAK.STUDIO

https://www.mattboatrightsimon.com/ FOUNDER/CEO BIO SPEAK.STUDIO founder and CEO Matt Boatright-Simon is a developer/coder, UX and UI designer, thought leader, entrepreneur, stage play & screenwriter, and filmmaker. Boatright-Simon is a pioneer in experimentation & development... Read More →

Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
SPEAK STUDIO HQ at The Hub @ 2352 S Park Street 53703

Premium, In Person (Apocalypse?)

Host Organization SPEAK.STUDIO Inc.
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference

Forward Fest 2025

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