June 20, 2023

Changes in the brain’s complex fluid flow system are linked to neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s, small vessel disease, strokes, and traumatic brain injuries. (Getty Images)

Dear Members of the Hajim School Community,

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is opening exciting new scientific opportunities in nearly every discipline. Our Hajim School faculty are not only using AI to push beyond what was previously scientifically possible, but they are also leading important ethical and moral discussions about how AI should become integrated into our lives.

Recently, one of our mechanical engineering faculty members co-developed a new AI-based technique for measuring fluid flow around the brain’s blood vessels that could have big implications for developing treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

A multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, neuroscientists, and computer scientists led by Associate Professor Doug Kelley developed novel artificial intelligence velocimetry measurements to accurately calculate brain fluid flow. The results are outlined in a study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“In this study, we combined some measurements from inside the animal models with a novel AI technique that allowed us to effectively measure things that nobody’s ever been able to measure before,” says Doug.

Congratulations to Doug and his colleagues. Learn more at the News Center.

ZHEN BAI EARNS NSF CAREER AWARD FOR WORK IN AI

Zhen Bai, an assistant professor of computer science, earned the NSF’s prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

I’m excited to write that Zhen Bai, an assistant professor of computer science, has earned the NSF’s prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award! The NSF CAREER award is given to promising scientists early in their careers and recognizes “outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research.” The award also comes with a federal grant toward their research and education activities.

Zhen will develop novel embodied learning technologies that help K–12 students demystify machine learning, an integral aspect of current approaches to AI. The project will provide hands-on and collaborative learning experiences for children to make sense of the inner workings of machine learning, similar to how they build, act, and experiment in collaboration with friends.

This important project will help prepare 21st century learners to become critical thinkers about AI, both as consumers and future creators. Read more about her project at the NSF website and look for a News Center story about all of Rochester’s CAREER award winners soon.

WHAT SHOULD HUMANS DO TO PROTECT ROLES THAT COULD BE IMPACTED BY AI?

Image credit: Ryzhi/Stock.Adobe.Com

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, society needs to grapple with some complex ethical questions to prepare for a vastly different future. Some of the biggest questions involve the possibility of AI replacing many of the jobs that exist today.

Henry Kautz, a professor emeritus of computer science, recently spoke on WXXI’s Connections with Evan Dawson about AI’s potential impact on jobs and the economy, his thoughts on possible regulation, and more. Henry spearheaded years of research on artificial intelligence and is a senior advisor for the AI for Science project at Science and Technologies Futures, as well as a member of the advisory board for AIM Intelligent Machines.

I’m proud that our Hajim faculty are at the forefront of confronting and advancing solutions to so many pressing societal problems facing the world today. The nearly hourlong discussion is available at the WXXI website.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman