SES Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series in Partnership with SIAI: How AI will Reshape the Service Industry

HOSTED BY

Dr. Jean Zu, Lore E. Feiler Dean, Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering & Science

in partnership with

Dr. Brendan Englot, Anson Wood Burchard Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI)

SPEAKER

Dheeraj Koneru ’96 M.S. ’97, Founder, Zenoti

ABSTRACT

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way services are delivered, managed, and experienced across every segment of the service economy—from spas, salons, and fitness centers to medical clinics, law firms, electricians, and more. This talk explores how AI will redefine both the front stage (customer experience) and back stage (operations and decision-making) of these industries. We’ll examine how AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, virtual assistants, and personalization engines are enabling businesses to operate with greater efficiency, precision, and empathy at scale. Beyond efficiency gains, we’ll discuss how AI changes the nature of human work—freeing professionals to focus on creativity, expertise, and relationships rather than routine tasks. Attendees will come away with a clear understanding of the technologies driving this shift, real-world examples already in motion, and a roadmap for embracing AI as a competitive advantage in the new era of intelligent service delivery.

BIOGRAPHY

Dheeraj Koneru ’96 M.S. ’97 is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building successful companies at the intersection of software and services. An alumnus of Stevens Institute of Technology, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics before going on to Cornell University for his PhD studies. Dheeraj co-founded Intelliprep Technologies (now known as SumTotal Systems), a pioneer in enterprise learning solutions, and later founded Zenoti, a leading cloud platform powering the beauty, wellness, and fitness industries worldwide. With decades of experience driving innovation and scaling businesses globally, Dheeraj now focuses on how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are transforming the service industry and reshaping consumer experiences.

ATTENDANCE

This event is open to all SES faculty, staff, students, alumni, and invited guests.