Southeast Michigan TechnologyNEXT Event

AI and the Future of Careers

Adapting, Advancing, and Staying Relevant in an AI-Driven Workforce

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept, it’s already transforming how we work, make decisions, and build our careers. From automating routine tasks to augmenting human creativity and problem-solving, AI is reshaping roles across nearly every industry. As organizations adopt these technologies at an accelerating pace, professionals are asking important questions: What skills will matter most? How can we adapt and remain competitive? And what does it mean to build a future-ready career in an AI-driven world?

Join Inforum Technology NEXT for a dynamic and thought-provoking conversation exploring the evolving impact of AI on careers and the workplace. This engaging panel will bring together leaders working at the intersection of technology, strategy, and workforce transformation, including Santosh Singh, Senior Vice President of HR, Legal, Trade Administration, & Corporate Communications at DENSO International America, Inc. ; Heidi Plotzke, CEO of Hidden State AI; and Christine Burkette, Technology Executive and AI Strategy & Workforce Transformation Speaker.

Together, they will share insights on how AI is changing the nature of work, the opportunities it creates for innovation and career growth, and the strategies professionals and organizations can use to stay relevant in an increasingly AI-enabled world. Whether you are an emerging professional, experienced leader, or simply curious about how AI will influence the future of work, this conversation will offer valuable perspectives and practical insights to help you navigate the future of your career.

Speakers:

Santosh Singh is Senior Vice President of HR, Legal, Trade Administration, & Corporate Communications at DENSO International America, Inc., where he leads Human Resources, Legal, Trade Administration, and Corporate Communications across North America. He also serves as the region’s Chief Compliance Officer, reporting to the CEO of North America. With more than 27 years of global leadership experience across the United States, China, and India, Santosh brings a dynamic and inclusive approach to organizational transformation. Since joining DENSO in 2021, he has played a key role in strengthening collaborative culture, advancing enterprise-wide talent strategies, and fostering purpose-driven leadership aligned with DENSO’s mission to create a clean, safe, and efficient mobility future. 

Previously, Santosh held senior leadership roles at Caterpillar Inc., where he led global initiatives in Manufacturing, 6 Sigma, R&D transformation and talent development. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Heidi Plotzke is the Founder and CEO of HiddenState AI. She holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and an MBA with a concentration in finance and has spent her career in healthcare operations. Through her experience, she saw firsthand how rapidly changing technology and data demands were reshaping the workforce and identified a significant opportunity for artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making in healthcare and small businesses. This insight inspired her to launch HiddenState AI, where she focuses on building practical AI solutions that help organizations adapt, operate more efficiently, and make smarter data-driven decisions.

Christine Burkette is a nationally recognized technology executive, educator, and entrepreneur whose career sits at the intersection of education, digital transformation, workforce development, and sustainability. A Detroit native, Christine is known for turning complex ideas into scalable, high-impact solutions across government, education, nonprofit, and corporate environments.

She is the Founder and CEO of Promising Integrations Consulting Firm, Inc. (PICF, Inc.), a technology and innovation firm established in 2012, where she has led enterprise-level initiatives spanning digital transformation, cybersecurity, systems integration, mobile platforms, instructional technology, and workforce training. Over the past two decades, Christine has been contracted by public agencies, school systems, and enterprise partners to take concepts from strategy through execution, often under accelerated timelines and high-stakes conditions.

Christine is also the Founder of Michigan Youth STEM, Tech & Aeronautics (MYSTA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched to expand K–12 and workforce development pathways in STEM, technology, and applied learning. Through MYSTA, she has designed curriculum, proposals, and training programs in partnership with school districts, universities, and community organizations, serving underserved youth while aligning education to real-world careers.

Moderator:

Angela Richardson, CAE, is a governance and programs executive with more than 20 years of experience leading national industry councils, executive peer networks, and board-driven organizations. She has facilitated high-trust national conversations for Fortune 1000 ESG, CSR, and social media executives, guiding dialogue on accountability, reputational risk, and long-term institutional impact. She currently serves as Governance & Council Engagement Director at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), where she leads three national councils in the automotive aftermarket sector and partners closely with volunteer leaders to align strategy, strengthen member engagement, and shape long-range priorities. Angela brings a governance and executive accountability perspective to emerging technology, engaging with AI and cybersecurity through the lens of institutional risk, leadership responsibility, and long-term impact. She is a member of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology and a recent graduate of its Reignite! program, and she is committed to ensuring mid-career women have a seat at the table shaping the future of tech.