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When AI “Gets” Teeth

Rushi Ganmukhi, founder and CEO of Bola joins Garrett Clark, Managing Director of Silicon Slopes, in a conversation about the use of AI on June 16, 2023.


I went to Lehi for a presentation on the use of AI in the dental industry. The presentation was by Rushi Ganmukhi, founder and CEO of Bola AI, who developed AI technology to optimize the dental visit workflow through improved efficiency and to enhance the patient experience.

Rushi comes from a product engineering background and found a niche market in dentistry. He thinks AI technology will spin off into many other types of niche markets. Rushi commented that “data is the new oil” and that the “speed of product development is going to be crazy in the next couple of years.” He said entrepreneurs need to have a crystal clear focus on customers and have a strategic vision. To stay ahead of the AI curve, he said to let engineers play around with the new AI technology, work with partners on new technology, and invest back into team.

Speaking of partners, Garrett and Rushi agreed that a Trojan Horse way into AI is through partnerships. I liked that comment and I need to figure out what my Trojan Horse is into AI. Garrett reiterated what was said the day before at the Silicon Slopes Summit—that those who will still have their jobs during this time through AI transitioning are those who can leverage AI.

I enjoyed seeing the conversation in person. If you choose to view the interview, make sure you listen for the dental puns Garrett drops along the way. These keep the conversation vibrant.

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Silicon Slopes AI Summit Hallmarks Industry Professionals

Tyler Folkman, Chief Technology Officer and Chief AI Officer from BENlabs, Branded Entertainment Network, speaks at the Silicon Slopes AI Summit June 15, 2023.

Every day I look at the headlines about AI and read up on the local, national and international discussions surrounding all its aspects such as machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, automation, robotics and so forth. I’m also on the email list for our local chapter of Silicon Slopes. I noticed the other day in one of the emails that an upcoming event was to feature AI professionals. I jumped at the chance to register and attend the summit.

The inaugural Silicon Slopes AI Summit June 15 featured Wayne Vought, UVU Provost; Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General; Dave Wright, CEO and Founder of Pattern; Dr. Rachel Bi, Associate Professor, UVU; Tyler Folkman, Chief Technology Officer and Chief AI Officer at BENlabs; and James Thorton, Chairman and CEO of Tafi and Daz 3D.

I took several pictures of speaker slides, but the one I feature at the top of this blog explains the given—AI starts with data. This fact alone is the impetus of AI and also an important set-up point for other aspects of AI such as regulation, policy, truth sets, bias, trust, privacy and more.

Here are the items I want to remember from the summit:

  • Need clean data
  • Generative AI is the game changer in entertainment
  • Use AI to better engage with audiences
  • Act like AI is to scale you
  • Leverage AI to succeed
  • Apply AI to what you love
  • Limitless growth by correctly using AI
  • Layer on AI technology in various ways
  • Apply AI to what you love to do
  • AI changes the rules of the game
  • The art of asking the right questions is the art of AI
  • AI can free us from mundane tasks
  • AI is at the forefront of innovation
  • Be able to deliver properly curated AI to the rising generation
  • UAE takes AI seriously!

There also were several cautionary tales about AI development and its harming potential. Reyes said that we need to “get arms around this tornado.” He posed the question: “What do we do when other countries use AI unethically?” He said that AI technology has been and will be made disabling and disrupting because the technology can help recruit and indoctrinate. He invited us all to be actively engaged with policy makers as AI technology moves forward.