OptAI 101

Accelerate optimization workflows with generative AI in a hands-on training series with expert instructors from Gurobi and Decision Spot.

November 19 - 20, 2026

11 AM - 3 PM ET

Training

OptAI 101

Accelerate optimization workflows with generative AI in a hands-on training series with expert instructors from Gurobi and Decision Spot.

November 19 - 20, 2026

11 AM - 3 PM ET

Training

OptAI 101

Accelerate optimization workflows with generative AI in a hands-on training series with expert instructors from Gurobi and Decision Spot.

November 19 - 20, 2026

11 AM - 3 PM ET

Ready to take your problem solving skills to the next level and accelerate with AI?

Generative AI is changing how we build, analyze, and solve problems. But where does it fit in the optimization workflow?

This two-day training explores how Generative AI and mathematical optimization can work together to accelerate problem solving, from formulating models and preparing inputs to interpreting results and improving performance.

What You’ll Learn:

Through practical examples and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll learn how to:

Understand what LLMs can and can’t do in optimization
Turn natural language and real-world data into model inputs
Use AI to interpret results, solver logs, and diagnose infeasibility
Explore AI-assisted reformulation, tuning, heuristics, warm starts, and callbacks
Build AI-assisted workflows that are measurable and verifiable

The key principle throughout: the LLM doesn’t solve the optimization problem, the solver does. But, Generative AI can accelerate and simplify the work surrounding the solve, while mathematical optimization delivers rigorous, verifiable, and trusted solutions.

You can view the full agenda below.

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Event Format:

This two-day training combines expert instruction, practical demonstrations, real-world examples, and a culminating capstone. All live sessions will be recorded and available on demand after the event, giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.

Speakers

Meet Your Expert Speakers

Learn from the best in the industry.

Anna Collins
Optimization Strategist
Dr. Anna Collins holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and Optimization from King’s College London, where her research focused on mathematical programming for complex planning problems. She’s passionate about making optimization accessible — whether by helping industry teams solve real-world problems with math, or guiding researchers as they scale up from theory to application.
Before joining Gurobi, she worked at a digital health startup, where she applied advanced modeling techniques to clinical and operational challenges in fertility care.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, finding the ocean (even though she lives in Berlin), and playing Padel with friends.
Everett Dutton
Optimization Strategist
Everett holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Prior to joining Gurobi, Everett developed simulation models at Honda, worked on machine learning and optimization models at Marathon Petroleum, and helped Ohio Children’s Alliance grow its analytics capabilities.
In his free time, Everett enjoys tinkering with anything mechanical, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife and dog.
Summer Purschke
Technical Account Manager
Summer Purschke is a Technical Account Manager at Gurobi Optimization, where she partners with organizations to develop mathematical optimization solutions for complex decision-making challenges. With a background in industrial engineering and applied data science, she works at the intersection of operations research and data science and thrives in collaborative, customer-facing environments. Prior to joining Gurobi, Summer worked as a Data Scientist at a financial technology company supporting the alternative investment industry, where she developed machine learning and optimization models to enhance capital introduction events and improve investor–fund matching. Outside of her work in optimization, Summer enjoys baking, gardening, ceramics, and sailing.
Juan Antonio Orozco Guzmán
Senior Optimization Engineer
Before joining Gurobi Optimization, Juan spent several years in the IT industry, performing roles in R&D, business intelligence, and data science. He has also taught undergraduate courses about statistical process control and mathematical optimization in the industrial engineering department at ITESM, campus Guadalajara. Juan earned a M.Sc. in statistics and operational research at the University of Edinburgh with distinction. His main interests are in optimization, machine learning, and deep learning.
Ehsan Khodabandeh
Principal Operations Research Scientist, Decision Spot
Ehsan is a Principal Operations Research Scientist at Decision Spot, with knowledge in logistics and transportation industries. Over the years, he has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including GE, Norfolk Southern, and C.H. Robinson. Ehsan has worked on a variety of supply chain projects and has focused primarily on network optimization and routing.
He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and has been an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) program since Fall 2019.

Speakers

Meet Your Expert Speakers

Learn from the best in the industry.

Anna Collins
Optimization Strategist
Dr. Anna Collins holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and Optimization from King’s College London, where her research focused on mathematical programming for complex planning problems. She’s passionate about making optimization accessible — whether by helping industry teams solve real-world problems with math, or guiding researchers as they scale up from theory to application.
Before joining Gurobi, she worked at a digital health startup, where she applied advanced modeling techniques to clinical and operational challenges in fertility care.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, finding the ocean (even though she lives in Berlin), and playing Padel with friends.
Everett Dutton
Optimization Strategist
Everett holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Prior to joining Gurobi, Everett developed simulation models at Honda, worked on machine learning and optimization models at Marathon Petroleum, and helped Ohio Children’s Alliance grow its analytics capabilities.
In his free time, Everett enjoys tinkering with anything mechanical, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife and dog.
Summer Purschke
Technical Account Manager
Summer Purschke is a Technical Account Manager at Gurobi Optimization, where she partners with organizations to develop mathematical optimization solutions for complex decision-making challenges. With a background in industrial engineering and applied data science, she works at the intersection of operations research and data science and thrives in collaborative, customer-facing environments. Prior to joining Gurobi, Summer worked as a Data Scientist at a financial technology company supporting the alternative investment industry, where she developed machine learning and optimization models to enhance capital introduction events and improve investor–fund matching. Outside of her work in optimization, Summer enjoys baking, gardening, ceramics, and sailing.
Juan Antonio Orozco Guzmán
Senior Optimization Engineer
Before joining Gurobi Optimization, Juan spent several years in the IT industry, performing roles in R&D, business intelligence, and data science. He has also taught undergraduate courses about statistical process control and mathematical optimization in the industrial engineering department at ITESM, campus Guadalajara. Juan earned a M.Sc. in statistics and operational research at the University of Edinburgh with distinction. His main interests are in optimization, machine learning, and deep learning.
Ehsan Khodabandeh
Principal Operations Research Scientist, Decision Spot
Ehsan is a Principal Operations Research Scientist at Decision Spot, with knowledge in logistics and transportation industries. Over the years, he has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including GE, Norfolk Southern, and C.H. Robinson. Ehsan has worked on a variety of supply chain projects and has focused primarily on network optimization and routing.
He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and has been an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) program since Fall 2019.

Speakers

Meet Your Expert Speakers

Learn from the best in the industry.

Optimization Strategist
Anna Collins
Optimization Strategist
Everett Dutton
Technical Account Manager
Summer Purschke
Senior Optimization Engineer
Juan Antonio Orozco Guzmán
Principal Operations Research Scientist, Decision Spot
Ehsan Khodabandeh