The University of Cincinnati Center for Business Analytics once again welcomed attendees to its annual Data Science Symposium at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business on Oct. 9. The 2025 symposium featured experts and industry leaders detailing how they're leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to solve actual business challenges.
Ryan Fitzpatric, senior director of data science and analytics at GE Aerospace, delivered the opening keynote and Matt Booher, vice president of data solutions at E.W. Scripps, closed the event. Between the two keynotes, attendees chose from 10 breakout sessions led by data scientists and industry experts who walked through current AI applications and data solutions in classroom-sized discussions.
Angulo-Ramirez (middle), along with Mike Fry and Dungang Liu, welcomed over 200 attendees to the symposium ahead of the first keynote. Photo/David Bauer
Michael Fry, PhD, senior director of Lindner Centers & Institutes, delivered opening remarks that highlighted the evolution of the Center for Business Analytics and its events over the years. "The name of this event has evolved from 'Business Intelligence' to 'Data Science,' reflecting the shift in tools, method, and computing power that continue to reshape our field," Fry said.
"That evolution hasn't stopped. Our newest addition to the Center is the Applied AI Lab," he added. "As AI and data science transform what is possible and what is expected, progress will only come through close collaboration between UC faculty, staff, students and all of you from industry."
Following the opening remarks, Fitzpatric presented "The Evolution of Analytics & AI at GE Aerospace." He walked the audience through how his team uses artificial intelligence to predict bottlenecks in the supply chain years in advance. "I see aviation as a space that is highly disruptive," he said. "The domain is changing and we have to be making strategic innovations as you all do in your own businesses."
"Everything that we theorized in the 60s, the computer is finally catching up," he said as he walked through a brief timeline of computer integration into analytics. Fitzpatric explained that GE had been using machine learning to manage its fleets for decades, and now emphasizes using trusted data, ensuring transparency and always keeping a "human in the loop" of workflows.
His keynote ended in a conversation with the audience on looking for opportunities to have an impact and be a leader in analytics as the landscape evolves.
Booher offered the closing keynote before another networking hour. In "Data Goes Live: How Scripps is Evolving AI & Analytics," he offered insights using real examples from the broadcasting company. "Everyone sees the potential in AI. We're just scratching the surface," he said, before acknowledging that many teams across industries are feeling pressure to implement AI tools quickly and effectively. Under this pressure, he emphasized the importance of trustworthy data. "It starts with this foundation. Unreliable data means reliably wrong AI."
He also detailed how data analytics is like a team sport. He said that in Scripps' case, in order to widen its broadcast audience, centralized support, hybrid analytics and self-service tools have to work together.
The Center for Business Analytics partners with leaders in the data science community to provide leadership development, events, trainings and consultation services.
Featured image at top of the Data Science Symposium volunteer team and attendees. Photo/David Bauer
