UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year’s Penn State Artificial Intelligence (AI) Week will run from Monday, April 14, through Thursday, April 17, at University Park. The week-long event, coordinated by the Penn State AI Hub, aims to highlight ongoing AI research, development and education across the University, including work to understand the ethics and legal implications of AI.
“Artificial intelligence research and education continues to grow rapidly at Penn State,” said Guido Cervone, Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) interim director. “AI Week provides significant opportunities to learn about the many research projects to advance AI across the University, as well as how we are harnessing AI tools to advance research and education. The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences plays a central role at coordinating activities across colleges and departments.”
The event provides an opportunity for researchers and students to build community and share knowledge across their different domains leveraging AI systems.
“AI Week at Penn State is a vibrant celebration of AI — spanning research, education, ethics and industry,” said Mehrdad Mahdavi, AI Hub director and associate professor of computer science and engineering. “Academic departments, AI centers and key stakeholders in AI have come together to curate an exciting lineup of virtual and in-person events across our campuses, offering a unique opportunity to explore, engage and innovate with AI.”
Each day is filled with in-person and virtual events:
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Monday, April 14, will highlight several research and entrepreneurship efforts from junior faculty, as well as the Nittany AI Alliance’s Nittany AI Challenge finals and awards celebration. Monday will also feature an interactive AI-powered game design workshop.
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Tuesday, April 15, will feature hybrid teaching and learning workshops as part of Teaching and Learning with Technology’s Dreamery Speaker Series and an in-person “AI for Science” panel with a team of experts in AI to speak on “the grand challenge of accelerating science.”
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Wednesday, April 16, includes both virtual and in-person workshops from experts who will talk about Penn State-approved AI tools, AI solutions for education and AI game design. Students and faculty will also present their AI-related research in a poster session. The annual Penn State AI Awards will also be announced during this time.
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Thursday, April 17, will focus on AI in education and career pathways with a myriad of virtual workshops and presentations that cover topics like AI in K-12 and higher education; policy and guidelines; avoiding AI pitfalls; and leveraging AI to explore diverse and rewarding careers.
“Whether you’re a student, faculty member or staff, AI Week offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge AI advancements, explore its impact on society and connect with experts shaping the future. We invite you to join us and be part of this conversation,” Mahdavi said.
Call for nominations: Penn State AI Awards
The annual Penn State AI Awards are still accepting nominations until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 24. This year, students are eligible to receive one of four possible awards: the AI Societal Impact Award; the Best Doctoral Dissertation on an AI-related Topic within Penn State; the Best Master’s Thesis on an AI-related Topic within Penn State; and the Best Undergraduate (honors) Thesis or Senior Project Related to AI within Penn State. Anyone within Penn State can nominate a student, including alumni and self-nominations.
Call for research posters
Students and faculty can submit their research posters for the poster session until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 31. Student posters will be judged by a panel, who will award the top three posters and three honorable mentions.
Check out the full schedule and sponsors on the AI Hub website.