ENGM 3890 / 5890 Emerging Technology Innovation

Vanderbilt University · School of Engineering

Theory and Practice ofEmerging Technology Innovation

Students study one emerging technology at a time, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, and hear directly from the investors, executives, and founders bringing these technologies to market. Then they pitch ventures of their own.

Meet the speakers Speak in the course

Past guest speakers

All 14 speakers
Joe AddiegoJoe AddiegoAlsop Louie Partners David BaszuckiDavid BaszuckiRoblox Kyle CarusoKyle CarusoThe Wond’ry at Vanderbilt Barry DeanBarry DeanLUCI John DodiniJohn DodiniBrave Capital Peter KnappPeter KnappLUCI Jonas LamisJonas LamisQuantum Art Jason LeeJason LeeAravir Ernestine Fu MakErnestine Fu MakBrave Capital Stacy MillStacy MillNashville Electric Service Bryan PettusBryan PettusAT&T Business Eric ReutheEric ReutheZapata Computing Joshua TrantumJoshua TrantumCUREX Capital Advisors Rebecca WolkoffRebecca WolkoffChargeNet Stations

Speakers have joined from

AT&T Business Roblox Zapata Computing Nashville Electric Service Brave Capital Alsop Louie Partners CUREX Capital Advisors LUCI ChargeNet Stations Quantum Art The Wond’ry at Vanderbilt Aravir

The course

Theory, then practice.

Offered through Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering as ENGM 3890 for undergraduates and ENGM 5890 for graduate students, the course examines how emerging technologies are invented, funded, and brought to market, and what they mean for society along the way.

One technology at a time

Each unit takes on a single technology and covers how it works, where it is headed, and its social, environmental, and ethical implications.

Practitioners in the room

About once a week, a guest speaker joins the class, from venture capitalists and executives to founders and engineers. Some sessions move off campus, to places like Nashville Electric Service and the Wond’ry.

A venture of your own

Student teams find a real pain point, run customer discovery, size the market, and finish the semester with a pitch and demo of a commercializable idea built on at least one course technology.

Technologies covered

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Blockchain
  • Quantum computing
  • Smart cities
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Robotics and autonomy
  • IoT and 5G
  • Advanced life sciences
  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Cybersecurity
  • Energy

March 28–29, 2025 · Nashville

The course inspired a summit.

The Critical and Emerging Technology Summit at Vanderbilt University brought leaders from government, academia, industry, and venture capital to campus for two days of talks, panels, and a student pitch showcase.

Visit cetsummit.org
  • Stephen WelbyWhite House Office of Science and Technology Policy (alumnus)
  • James EvansUniversity of Chicago · Santa Fe Institute
  • Charles YangU.S. Department of Energy (alumnus)
  • Jonny PriceWefunder
  • James MassaquoiGlasswing Ventures
David Hyde

Instructor

David Hyde

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University

David Hyde’s research spans computational physics, machine learning, quantum computing, and cyberinfrastructure. He received an NSF CAREER Award in 2024 and organized the Critical and Emerging Technology Summit at Vanderbilt.

Guest speakers

Speak to the next class.

If you build, fund, or study emerging technology, we would love to have you in the room.

What speaking involves