Hao Huang, a distinguished adjunct professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department and member of the National Academy of Engineering, served as a keynote speaker for the 2026 AI x Energy Summit.
Taking place at the San Diego State University campus in March, the two-day event united researchers, developers, engineers and industry leaders in AI, power electronics and energy.
“I was honored to receive the Top Influences in AI Energy Award at the summit, and I was particularly encouraged that my presentation resonated with participants, reflecting a growing interest in next-generation deep learning approaches within the field,” Huang said.
Huang’s presentation, “Maximize the Potential of Transformer-Based Deep Learning in Power / Energy Engineering,” described how transformer-based deep learning has reshaped modern AI and become the dominant architectural paradigm. The work presents a practical pathway for transitioning power and energy engineering workflows to transformer-based solutions.
Huang is the retired Technology Chief of GE Aerospace — Electrical Power since 2020. In this role, he shaped technical directions, innovation strategies and product roadmaps while pioneering advances in aircraft electrical power. With 37 years of experience in power systems, generation, starting, electronics, controls, and electric vehicle drives, he holds 80 U.S. patents and about 300 international patents.
In addition to being an NAE Member, he is also an IEEE Fellow, NAI Fellow and SAE Fellow. Earning his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1987, he received the 2019 IEEE Transportation Technologies Award “for contributions to aircraft electrification.” He joined the University of Houston in 2021.
Next year’s AI x Energy Summit is currently being planned for March and April 2027. For more information, visit the event’s website.