Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization SHARP Literacy hosted its A Novel Event Wednesday evening at The Pfister Hotel. Keynote speaker Norrie Daroga, founder and president of Mequon-based Codebaby, spoke about the company’s advances in AI and avatar technologies in elementary schools across southeastern Wisconsin.
The event drew 350 people and raised just over $270,000 between ticket sales, a live auction and sponsorships.
Codebaby creates virtual characters that use generative artificial intelligence to create real-time experiences with users. A Norrie-lookalike avatar as well as personalized avatars created by students from St. Augustine Preparatory Academy were featured at the event.
SHARP Literacy’s science, technology, arts, engineering and math (STEAM) initiatives brought students from Aug Prep to the event to demonstrate the use of AI avatars in the school’s curriculum. AI avatar Sharlotta, created by students at Aug Prep, walked four 4th grade students through several lessons in a coding class and explained the material in multiple languages.
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- President and CEO of SHARP Literacy Linda Kohler Welsh, event co-chair Linda Fischer and Tom Mezera
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- 350 people attended the event at the Pfister Hotel
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- Literacy Champion Award Winners Kurt and Lori Bechthold
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- Keynote speaker Norrie Daroga, president and founder of Codebaby
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- Auctioneer Daven Claerbout and BizTimes publisher and owner Dan Meyer
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- SHARP Literacy’s founder Marlene Doerr Kreilkamp, Barbara Renn and Literacy Champion Award Winner Kurt Bechthold
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- Attendees Kristin and Jeff Drettwan with Gina and Ted Liskowitz
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- Attendees Jennifer Keough and Mary Sprague
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- SHARP Literacy board member Tom Gale and wife Sharon Gale
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- MATC video game instructors Michael Anderson and Seth Swanson
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- Former FOX 6 news anchor Stephanie Grady emceed the event
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- A VIP meet and greet was held before the event
