Panelists on stage.

The Evolution of AI

On September 6, 2023, the UB │ AI series launched with an interdisciplinary faculty panel discussion, moderated by Venu Govindaraju, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, and Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

Following introductory remarks from President Satish K. Tripathi and special guest SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., Dr. Govindaraju reflected on the progression of AI and UB's longstanding history of innovation in the field, including the pioneering handwriting recognition system used by the United States Postal Service and UB's new NSF-funded National AI Institute for Exceptional Education. The panelists also discussed AI's potential benefits to society, the reality of AI's ethical concerns and the widespread need for AI literacy. 

Panelists

  • Christine Wang
    Professor, Learning and Instruction
    Director, Early Childhood Research Center
  • Ciprian "Chip" Ionita
    Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • David Castillo
    Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures
    Co-Director, Center for Information Integrity
  • Ifeoma Nwogu
    Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
    Co-Director, Graduate Studes, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

UB | AI Chat Series Launch Recap

AI in Action
Christine Wang.
“When we think about AI literacy, it's not just about understanding the basics about AI--how AI works. It's also about AI's impact on multiple levels, on the individual level, on society level, community level. ”
9/18/23

Christine Wang, Professor of Learning and Instruction and Director, Early Childhood Research Center

Ciprian Ionita.
“We are looking a lot into explainable and interpretable AI. So, if we are going to put some parameters into the models, then the doctors will need to know why this prognosis is, what factor is contributing to this negative or positive prediction for this surgical outcome.”
9/18/23

Ciprian Ionita, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

David Castillo.
“The problem is not the technology itself, it's the context in which that technology has been deployed. It's the fact that profits trump everything in the social media business, and we need to make sure that does not happen in the medical field.”
9/18/23

David Castillo
Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and Co-Director, Center for Information Integrity

Ifeoma Nwogu.
“AI for social good is a recent area of research where AI researchers are looking at how to harness the power of AI and really solve social problems, environmental problems, public health problems...”
9/18/23

Ifeoma Nwogu, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Co-Director of Graduate Studes, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

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