1947: Transistor invented

1948: Info theory by Shannon

1958: Laser developed at Bell

1969: CCD sensor for imaging

1970s: Cellular networks born

1990s: Broadband breakthroughs

2000: 100 Gbps optical launch

2011: MIMO fuels 5G speeds

2024: 5G built for the Moon

2025: AI powers smart network

OverdriveAI
Powered by TechUnited:NJ BetterFutureLabs

The hottest topics in AI. Debated live.

OverdriveAI is back. Sharp thinkers go head to head on jobs, energy, education & more, and you hear both sides, live.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Newark, NJ · A full day across the city
Get tickets Vote on the debates

Limited seats. Last year filled up fast.

Speakers laughing together on stage at OverdriveAI 2025 Two speakers in conversation on the OverdriveAI 2025 stage Speaker making a point on stage at OverdriveAI 2025

OverdriveAI 2025 at Nokia Bell Labs · Photos: João-Pierre Ruth

The debates. Pick your side.

These are the potential debate topics. Vote your side now, then come hear them argued live on November 10.

Debate 1 · The headline debate

AI takes jobs vs. AI grows the economy

Automation is moving up the value chain into knowledge work. Does AI erase more jobs than it creates?

VS
Debate 2

Is AI raising your energy bill?

Data centers are reshaping the grid, and New Jersey is in the middle of the buildout.

VS
Debate 3

Does AI belong in the classroom?

A tutor for every student, or the end of learning how to think?

VS
Debate 4

Is it time for universal basic income?

If AI keeps compounding productivity, someone has to decide where the gains go.

VS
Debate 5

Can we handle deepfakes?

Synthetic media is getting cheap and convincing. What's the real defense?

VS

Got a debate we missed?

Write it in. If it makes the stage, you'll know it was yours.

Opening your email app to send it our way. Thank you.

That's your ballot.

Five votes cast. Now come see how it actually ends.

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Changed your mind? Reset my ballot

Final topics and speakers announced soon. Ticket holders hear every name first.

OverdriveAI · Tue, Nov 10 · Newark Museum of Art
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🗳 0/5 voted

What to expect

New venue this year: the Newark Museum of Art, where tech and culture share a roof.

Live debates

Two experts, opposing sides of one question, and you hear both sides argued live.

Hot takes

Short presentations from speakers with a strong point of view. No hedging allowed.

Networking

Founders, operators, investors & researchers from across the Northeast, all in one room.

One day. All of Newark.

The debates anchor a full day across the city.

Morning · Equal Space

Community AI training

Hands-on and free, open to the whole community. No experience assumed.

Midday · Out in the city

Lunch in Newark

Everyone breaks midday and heads out into Newark’s restaurants.

Afternoon · Newark Museum of Art

The AI debates

The main event. Startups demo between rounds, and the afternoon rolls into a reception on the demo floor.

Evening · Newark Culture Club

Pitch Roast Live

In from New York for the night: four founders pitch, three comedians and two investors roast, one walks out the winner.

Last year packed the house at Nokia Bell Labs

Speakers joined us from OpenAI, IBM, CoreWeave, Verizon, Perplexity, Nokia Bell Labs, BetterFutureLabs, NJEDA and the NJ AI Hub. This year's lineup is coming together now.

OpenAI IBM CoreWeave Verizon Perplexity Nokia Bell Labs BetterFutureLabs
See last year's agenda
  • The Art in Artificial · creativity in a machine-assisted world · Silverside AI
  • Frontier AI · networks and the physical world · Nokia Bell Labs
  • Work Reimagined · enterprise intelligence at scale · Verizon
  • Outlearn the Giants · building and positioning in the OpenAI era · OpenAI & BetterFutureLabs
  • Not One Brain, a Team · how AI agent systems actually work · BetterFutureLabs
  • $3 Billion in 14 Months · a legacy company's AI transformation · Collectors
  • Why NJ Might Just Win the AI Race · CoreWeave, NJEDA & the NJ AI Hub
  • When Knowledge Work Gets Automated · DLA Piper, IBM & Perplexity
300+
Founders, researchers & investors
16
Speakers on stage
13,000+
TechUnited:NJ community members

Want to hear about more TechUnited:NJ events?

OverdriveAI is one of many. Members get first word on everything we run, from AI Demo Night to programs like Uplift.

TechUnited:NJ BetterFutureLabs
overdrive@techunited.co · techunited.co
Let's build a better future, together.
TechUnited:NJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your ticket supports AI education in New Jersey.

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