Georgia Southern University’s Department of Information Technology Services will host its eighth annual Eagle Techxpo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, in the Information Technology Building on campus. Eagle Techxpo is Georgia Southern’s yearly technology conference showcasing the latest technologies for the classroom, workplace and home from some of the biggest names in technology. This year’s keynote speaker is Swami Chandrasekaran, executive architect at IBM Watson Innovations.

Chandrasekaran and his team lead work on Watson, a "cognitive" computer that isn't programmed; it learns. In 2011, Watson famously beat "Jeopardy!" champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in a three-day challenge. Chandrasekaran will share the story of Watson and the ways in which they've expanded its abilities as well as the ways they're putting the technology to use for clients.

“We are very honored to have Swami Chandrasekaran as our keynote speaker at the Eagle Techxpo this year,” said Paul Reaves, communications officer for Georgia Southern’s IT Services department. “He has an intimate knowledge of IBM's Watson as one of its key solutions architects. His visit underscores Georgia Southern's commitment to research and the application of new, exciting technologies to everyday tasks to deliver seamless technological solutions to our students, faculty, staff and community.”

In addition to Chandrasekaran’s presentation, Eagle Techxpo offers the latest and greatest in technology from more than 25 vendors, and exciting sessions from Georgia Southern faculty and staff, and sponsors such as Apple, Dell, HP, McGraw Hill and ProctorU. Attendees will receive a free Techxpo t-shirt, have the chance to win door prizes at each session and can enjoy a complimentary barbecue lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.