For many people, the phrase "artificial intelligence" conjures up images of human-like robots and self-driving vehicles. For Kerrie Holley, AI has a much more human meaning. Holley had a long career, first as a distinguished engineer and later IBM fellow, before joining Eden Prairie-based Optum, a UnitedHealth Group unit that provides information and technology-based health services. At Optum, he's focused on developing technologies that make the health system work better and people's lives healthier. AI is one of those technologies.

Twenty-five years ago, Nikos Papanikolopoulos started his work in the University of Minnesota's Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Vision lab. For the first five years, the lab researched and developed robotics that were largely unheard of. In 1997, his lab had its landmark moment, when the U.S. Military used his lab's Scout robot to survey dangerous war zones in lieu of humans. It built the lab's reputation into a national standout. Today, Papanikolopoulos and his lab are part of a rapidly emerging field of science fusing yesterday's unbelievable with today's uncharted -- artificial intelligence.