Utah Valley University will host Utah's biggest tech conference this week, starting tomorrow, January 14, 2025. President Astrid S. Tuminez, highlights the university's capabilities in tech and discusses AI's transformative impact on education, work, and society.
Orem, Utah, January 13, 2025
This week Utah Valley University will host Utah's biggest and most prestigious tech conference—Silicon Slopes Summit—bringing together thousands of attendees together to hear from a many of the top leaders and thinkers in the tech space both in Utah and across the nation. It is a first time this summit has been held on a university campus in its decade-long existence. On Tuesday, January 14th, UVU's president, Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, will welcome the Silicon Slopes Summit audience to the UVU campus. Let's recall a few of UVU's attractive attributes that made it an ideal venue for Summit. It's the perfect place to convene an event for thousands of tech operators and enthusiasts from across the state and nation to gather and learn from one another, celebrate wins, highlight best practices in tech and business, and soak up one of the year's richest networking experiences in Utah's tech sector.
A few weeks ago President Tuminez addressed a packed auditorium at the Utah Valley Growth and Prosperity Summit to highlight many of very strengths and attributes of UVU that make it an ideal venue for Silicon Slopes Summit this year. In particular, UVU is committed to training the next generation of technologists through a strong slate of engineering and technology programs, through its Smith College of Engineering and Technology, including a Masters of AI that this department will be offered fall semester of 2025.
President Tuminez discussed the seismic impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, the workforce, and American society at large. Speaking before local policymakers, business leaders, and students, President Tuminez emphasized that while AI poses challenges, it also ushers in opportunities reminiscent of historical industrial revolutions. “Last year, McKinsey concluded 30% of working hours worldwide could be automated,” she noted. “That alone might displace millions of jobs. But this isn’t our first major transformation. History shows that every revolution—whether it’s electricity, cars, or AI—spurs new industries, new skills, and new opportunities.”
Highlighting past technological shifts, President Tuminez drew parallels to the early 1900s, when electricity, mass production, and the automobile reshaped the American economy. She pointed out that the farm-to-factory transition led to significant job displacement, with 9.7 million agricultural workers affected. In response, families demanded formal schooling, and by 1940, over 70% of Americans had a high school diploma—making the United States the most high-school-educated population in the world at that time. She sees a similar narrative playing out today with AI, arguing that the United States must “double down on rethinking higher education” to meet modern industry demands and ensure that the next generation is adequately prepared.
Pres. Tuminez showcased UVU’s open-admissions philosophy of “come as you are,” which welcomes students from all backgrounds and provides them with an education at a reasonable cost. She stressed that excellence is the university’s watchword and that UVU offers programs widely lauded for quality and relevance. Aviation Science, Hospitality Management, Financial Planning, and Art & Design have received top national rankings, while new offerings in Cybersecurity and Applied AI reflect the university’s commitment to current industry trends.
A hallmark of UVU’s strategy lies in project-based learning. Through initiatives like “Accelerate,” “Excellence & Innovation,” and “Green House,” students tackle real-world challenges and collaborate with businesses, honing practical skills that go beyond textbook knowledge. Pres. Tuminez also underscored the importance of corporate partnerships, explaining how major Utah employers regularly offer insights into curriculum improvements and how faculty externships bring cutting-edge industry expertise back into the classroom.
The president further highlighted UVU’s engagement with AI through its new Applied AI Institute, noting that a “TA in a Box”—an AI teaching assistant—is already active in multiple courses and set to expand to the university’s most-enrolled classes. She framed this proactive stance as essential to preparing both faculty and students for a rapidly changing world.
Pres. Tuminez passionately argued that higher education remains the single most powerful tool to facilitate the American Dream. She reported that 41% of UVU’s student body is now composed of first-generation college students, a figure that underscores the university’s role in providing upward mobility. UVU’s enrollment has hit record highs, and graduation numbers continue to climb. Tuminez attributed this success to the institution’s hands-on programs and relevant curriculum, which lead to strong job placement rates—87% of UVU graduates secure employment, and 83% of them remain in Utah.
For Pres. Tuminez, these statistics represent far more than abstract figures; they embody the lives of individuals who are seizing real opportunities through education. She also pointed to UVU’s entrepreneurial achievements, including a number-one ranking for producing high-growth entrepreneurs and a high standing on social mobility indexes.
One of the speech’s highlights was the announcement of UVU’s 225-acre expansion in Vineyard, envisioned as a “health and wellness village” that will effectively double the size of UVU's campus and be connected to the main campus via a Frontrunner stop and other transportation options. Pres. Tuminez also revealed a planned partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, which aims to establish a research facility and eventually a hospital on site. UVU’s College of Health and Public Service will also relocate to the vineyard property, housing clinical research, community outreach, and academic programs in a central hub.
Pres. Tuminez envisions additional facilities such as a farm that can contribute produce to the community and a free clinic supported by private donors. She credits former UVU administrators for having the foresight to acquire the land and anticipates that this development will serve as an engine of progress for the surrounding region. “It’s part of UVU’s broader goal to remain at the heart of Utah County’s future,” she said.
President Tuminez concluded by reiterating that AI, like every other transformative technology, will be both misused and harnessed for good. She expressed confidence that with the right educational framework, society can cultivate creative problem solvers who will leverage AI responsibly. “If we educate our students to think critically, solve problems collaboratively, and stay resilient, we can harness AI to build a brighter future for all,” she asserted.
UVU’s efforts to meld accessible, quality education with real-world skills and emerging technologies reflect a larger vision for what higher education can become in the age of AI. From a focus on project-based learning to the embracing of cutting-edge industries, the university is shaping students to adapt, innovate, and lead.
This week will be an exciting one for UVU as it rises to the challenge of hosting a major tech Summit. Many thousands of Summit attendees and a long list of CEOs, founders, and experts, will be on campus to inspire, educate, and entertain the crowds, which will no doubt include many UVU students. TechBuzz News will report on many of these presentations and happenings at Silicon Slopes Summit. In addition, TechBuzz will continue to cover UVU's efforts preparing the next generation of technologists about the emerging trends in AI, technology, and innovation. Hosting Silicon Slopes Summit at UVU makes perfect sense in this regard.
To learn more about the Silicon Slopes Summit list of speakers and panels click here.
Learn more about the programs and activities of UVU's Smith College of Engineering and Technology here.
