MSIS Demo Day at Foster: Showcasing Innovation, Storytelling, and AI Readiness
Students put their AI-driven business solutions to the test, presenting to industry leaders and refining real-world skills
It’s Saturday at 9:00 a.m., and PACCAR Hall at the University of Washington campus is buzzing with energy. The students of the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program, dressed in their best business attire, are making final adjustments to their AI presentations, exchanging last-minute notes, and preparing to showcase the projects they’ve spent weeks refining. Every laptop screen glows with a polished slide deck as students prepare to present. It is AI demo day in Professor Léonard Boussioux’s GenAI & AI for Business Applications class.
Foster’s Information Systems students are known for their dedication, balancing rigorous coursework with real-world applications, and today is no exception. After all, what’s a better testament to their commitment than their eagerness to present to AI experts and industry leaders on a Saturday?
Boussioux sets the tone with an enthusiastic premonition: “Today is going to be a legendary day.”
Turning knowledge into innovation
GenAI & AI for Business Applications course is a core MSIS program class that challenges students to bridge the gap between emerging technology and industry needs. More than just an assignment, this Demo Day event is a culmination of months of research, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Drawing on cutting-edge research from Boussioux’s Universal AI lab in human-AI decision-making, creative problem-solving, and accelerated solution development, students gain both theoretical foundations and practical skills essential for today’s AI-driven business landscape. The Demo Day gives them a high-stakes opportunity to pitch their AI-driven business solutions – not only to their classmates but to AI and tech industry experts.
These judges – leaders from some of Seattle’s top companies – were on hand to evaluate presentations and provide insightful feedback. The panel included:
- Brett Reifers: Microsoft, Senior Product Manager
- Brittany Flores: Seattle Information Technology Department, Division Operations Manager (and UW MSIS alum)
- Dan Turner: UW Foster School of Business, Associate Dean
- Kate Domer: Costco IT, Innovation Analyst Intern (and UW MSIS alum)
- Laura Martin: Amazon, Senior UX Manager
- Silas Brown: Meta, Software Engineering Manager
- Soumik Chakraborty: Microsoft, Product Manager II (and UW MSIS alum)
- Stefan Schmitt: Gates Foundation, Senior Business Systems Analyst
- Taya Karpinska: Amazon, Senior User Experience Researcher (and UW MSIS alum)
- Troy Ness: Costco Wholesale, Director of IT Innovation
A total of 13 groups took to the stage, presenting ideas that ranged from a hands-free scheduling tool to an AI-driven platform that analyzes the potential of start-ups. Each team had just a few minutes to make their case, showcasing how generative AI and machine learning could bring their ideas to life.
In true Foster fashion, the presentations were anything but conventional.
Students infused their pitches with humor, skits, role-playing, props, and even costume changes, ensuring that their ideas were not only technically sound but also memorable and engaging. This focus on storytelling through AI is a hallmark of the MSIS program, where students learn that clear communication is just as important as AI expertise when presenting innovative concepts.
Industry engagement and real-world feedback
After each presentation, the expert judges offered direct and insightful feedback. Their questions resembled those typically found in real-world business pitch meetings, prompting students to consider important aspects such as market differentiation, scalability, and long-term value.
Thanks to their training in the Information Systems program, students responded promptly with well-prepared answers, demonstrating not only their technical skills but also a clear understanding of how AI addresses real business challenges.
As the morning progressed, the judges evaluated the standout ideas.
Among the honorable mentions was an AI-powered app that provides real-time product insights, as well as a data-driven system for personalized restaurant recommendations.
Ultimately, four projects earned top honors
Best Tech Award: EngageAI, addressed the student engagement crisis with AI-driven solutions. Students: Ephrem Tilahun, Megan Louie, Regina Geng, Zula Battulga, Parham Hajzavar
Creative Pitch and Product Award: Crab.AI, AI-powered reviews of academic papers and essays. Students: Ryan Dimond, Surui Hou, Kerou Huang, Newel Miole, Vidya Venkappa
Entrepreneurial and Business Impact Award: Optimo, a scheduling tool designed to help administrative staff streamline scheduling processes. Students: Bretten Farrell, Riley Farrell
Demo Day Winner: GarbEdge, which leverages machine learning to detect and divert recycling contaminants. Students: Yen Wu (Allen) Chiang, Annabelle Brown, Prerna Singhal, Matthew Lee, Kritika Sharma
Beyond recognizing the best ideas, the judges also emphasized their admiration for the students’ ability to translate complex technology into accessible and (almost) market-ready solutions.
A reflection of the Foster Master’s Experience
As the event concluded, Boussioux delivered an inspiring message: “It’s clear to me that you’ve all realized that when you encounter a problem, you don’t have to wait for someone else to solve it. You have the power to create change and solve it yourselves.”
Foster’s MSIS Demo Day exemplifies the program’s core curriculum, equipping students to excel at the intersection of technology and business. Through hands-on experiences, MSIS students do not just study AI; they apply it to real-world challenges, collaborate with peers, engage with industry professionals, and refine their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
At Foster, learning goes beyond the classroom. Events like Demo Day ensure that students graduate with the technical knowledge, practical experience, professional connections, and strategic thinking skills necessary to drive meaningful innovation. For the students who presented on March 15th, Demo Day was more than just a presentation—it was a glimpse into their future as leaders in the evolving fields of AI and business.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Information Systems program.
