THE Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) is a new collaborative organization at Utah State University tackling emerging issues in data and AI.
The center hosts a kick off to 3 p.m. on January 24 at Perry Pavilion. USU leadership will open the event, then Berton EarnshawAI Founding Fellow at Recursion Pharmaceuticals and Scientific Director of Valence Labs, will be the keynote speaker.
Kevin Moon, director of the DSAI Center and associate professor of mathematics and statistics at USU, recently spoke about the creation of the center.
“Our goal is to foster collaboration across disciplines,” Moon said. “By creating a connection between researchers and educators, we are building a stronger data science and AI community at USU.” »
The center was created to meet a growing need for interdisciplinary relationships.
“It is often difficult to identify researchers working in data science and AI on campus,” Moon said. “The DSAI Center bridges this gap, making it easier for faculty, students and external collaborators to connect and innovate. »
Four departments founded the center:
- Mathematics and statistics.
- Electrical and computer engineering.
- Data analysis and information systems.
- Computer science.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has also since joined the center.
Each involved department funds the center, and each has a faculty member who serves on the steering committee to guide decision-making. The College of Science and the College of Engineering also provide funding.
“There are people all over campus, in different departments, who are doing research or teaching in the areas of data science and AI,” Moon said. “We hope that through the DSAI Center, they can all feel connected to the broader data science and AI community at USU.”
In the future, the DSAI Center hopes to increase its reach and host events aimed at finding solutions to problems related to data science and AI. Upcoming initiatives include regular research seminars and workshops where participants can discuss challenges and share innovative solutions.
“We’re building community,” Moon said. “Our first step is to bring people together. Next, we will create opportunities for collaboration and problem solving.
USU will ask the Utah Legislature to fund physical space for the center in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. This renovation and construction project was the only project approved by the Board of Education Superior of Utah to secure legislative funding. If approved, the new space will house and enhance the interdisciplinary work of the DSAI Center.
The January Kickoff is the center’s first main event. Following the keynote presentation, there will be a reception and poster session showcasing data science and AI research at USU. The event is open to faculty, staff, students and the general public.
For more information or to register for the kickoff, visit DSAI Center website.