Panel Discussion – Converged Edge Architectures for Connected Intelligence
Session Abstract:
This session will focus on the realities of deploying AI at the edge, including systems design, data movement, operational constraints, architecture trade-offs, and the shift from experimentation to reliable execution.
Discussion themes:
- converged edge architectures
- integrating AI inference with edge compute
- private 5G and distributed infrastructure
- orchestration between edge and cloud
- enabling real-time operational intelligence
Speakers:
Samaresh Kumar Singh is a Principal Engineer at HP Inc. with over 21 years of experience in designing and building large-scale distributed systems, Edge AI/ML platforms, and intelligent orchestration frameworks. He currently leads key initiatives in edge computing, including distributed AI systems, explainability frameworks, and secure, scalable AI infrastructure. Samaresh is an IEEE Senior Member and an active contributor to the research community, with multiple publications in Edge AI, distributed security, and agentic systems. His work focuses on enabling real-time, trustworthy, and production-ready AI systems across industrial and IoT environments.
Eric McClanahan is a strategic technology leader at the forefront of the Neutral Host and Private 5G revolution. As the Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture & Engineering for Verizon Business’s 5G Acceleration Team, he leads an experienced group of enterprise architects dedicated to designing and deploying complex private wireless infrastructures that power the modern enterprise. With a career spanning over two decades in telecommunications, Eric has become a pivotal figure in transitioning industries from legacy connectivity to future-proof 5G ecosystems. He is currently responsible for the proliferation of Neutral Host and Private 5G services to the enterprise and public sector, integrating the power of Edge computing and AI to drive operational transformation. His recent work includes spearheading landmark P5G deployments for mission-critical operations, such as:
- The Port of Virginia: Orchestrating a secure, dedicated on-premises P5G network to support high-bandwidth, near real-time cargo conveyance systems.
- Global Manufacturing & Life Sciences: Advising leaders in the pharmaceutical and steel industries on leveraging private wireless to achieve seamless integration across complex facility footprints.
Before leading 5G Acceleration, Eric served as Senior Manager of Network Solutions & Systems. In this role, he founded the Verizon Business In-Building program, which successfully launched more than 2,000 systems for ~700 unique enterprise customers—a foundation that has been instrumental in the current shift toward enterprise-owned private indoor networks.
Beyond the technology, Eric is a passionate advocate for workplace culture. He operates on the belief that peak professional performance is unlocked when people feel safe, empowered, and connected to work that impacts their community. Eric began his journey in telecom in 2000 at PrimeCo Personal Communications. He holds an honors degree from Webster University and resides in Lambertville, New Jersey, with his wife and three children.
Rao is a co-founder of Aizen and leads enterprise customer engagements, bringing 30+ years of experience as a technologist and entrepreneur designing mission-critical AI, BI, and transaction systems for global enterprises. He previously co-founded Esgyn, an enterprise big data platform, where he led product architecture and strategy as a key executive helping scale the company while serving Fortune 100 customers. Earlier, Rao was a Senior Data Management Architect at Hewlett-Packard, leading workload management architecture for a Massively Parallel Enterprise Data Warehouse platform. His engineering career also includes foundational roles at Compaq and Tandem Computers, pioneers in fault-tolerant and parallel computing. Rao holds an M.S. in Computer Science.
Prasad Adem, Vice President, Sales & Solutions Engineering, HPE