Dr. Koch is an expert in rapidly changing technology and its global impact. In this presentation, you’ll discover five pivotal technology trends reshaping the future of work, global relations, and economic power. These trends, from artificial intelligence to data convergence, hinge on the production of semiconductor chips, making the U.S. government’s efforts to bolster semiconductor manufacturing through the CHIPS Act critical. The “Chips War” symbolizes not just an economic race but a geopolitical shift, where AI-driven capabilities could empower even small militias to challenge the world’s most powerful militaries. This talk will also explore why strong democracies and equitable policy changes are essential to managing the rapid transition to an AI-empowered workforce, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are distributed fairly across society.

Dr. Koch will answer these questions and others facing us in the U.S. for our own technological and global literacy: What are the five technology trends shaping the future of work and global relations? What practical steps can you take to stay abreast of the rapid technological advances? How is the United States building its semiconductor chip manufacturing capabilities? What is happening in Texas? Why is this essential for national and global peace? What policy changes are necessary to ensure a fair and equitable transition to an AI-empowered workforce?
Hope Koch is the Godrey Sullivan Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics at Baylor University, where she teaches courses on emerging technologies and the future of business. Hope has published her research in the top journals in the information systems field and, in 2021, won the award for the “best” paper published in the information systems field. She holds a CPA and an MBA degree. Hope has traveled worldwide, including Africa, China, and India and worked on a grant with the United States India Educational Foundation in India to design, develop, and implement a mobile health app to help people living in India’s slums. Hope returned from her third trip to India a few days before COVID shut the world down. In December 2024, She is looking forward to her leadership role at the International Conference on Information Systems held in Bangkok, Thailand. During that trip, Hope will visit Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Raised in a rural Texas trailer part and the first in her family to attend college, Hope is dedicated to education. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Temple College and together with her husband, Kevin, they’ve run the Callaway Foundation since 2002. Thanks to the Callaway Foundation, every student who graduates from C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron, Texas can receive a scholarship with some full-ride scholarships every year. In her spare time, Hope enjoys fitness and has completed many marathons and triathlons, including the Marine Corps Marathon and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.

Please reserve your tickets ideally by Noon on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 because we need to give the headcount to catering staff in advance! For ticket and membership information please visit our website: www.worldaffairstexas.com For more information, please contact: Dr. Anantha Babbili, WACST President & CEO, at 361.563.5177 or at ananthasbabbili@yahoo.com. Only a limited number of tickets are available to be purchased at the door with cash or check on the day of the event.

THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SOUTH TEXAS STRIVES TO EDUCATE AND SERVE SOUTH TEXAS AND CORPUS CHRISTI COMMUNITIES ABOUT OUR ECONOMY, FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE AMERICAN ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMICS. COME JOIN US FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSATION AT THE LUNCHEON!

EXECUTIVE CORPORATE MEMBER

President’s Circle: CORE ENGINEERING, TEDA TPCO America, T. Baker Smith, LLC
Patrons: James & Lysa Chapman, Dr. Marty Johnson, Judy Pressley
Sponsors: Avinash & Peggy Ahuja, Lee Jordan
Donors: Mike Bergsma, Don Feferman, Rudy Garza,
Jim Shiner, Dr. Vishnu and Veena Reddy