Incorporating artificial intelligence into universities

Incorporating artificial intelligence into universities

Barrie Robison, a professor of biological sciences and director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences at the University of Idaho, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used across campus. Topics include translating historical educational texts, improving university operations through AI, and making artistic content more searchable. He also explores common assumptions about AI…

Diverse professionals collaborating around a conference table with holographic AI visualizations and neural network displays in a modern office setting.

University of Idaho AI Execution Group formed

U of I has been actively exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI since it rose to prominence in 2022. In response to its rapid adoption across research, teaching and administrative functions, the university established the Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG) in 2024 to coordinate efforts, gather campus-wide input and develop strategic recommendations….

Who owns the future? Artificial intelligence and intellectual property

Who owns the future? Artificial intelligence and intellectual property

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly used by authors, artists, and creators to assist in the creation of new works. Those same AI systems have been built on the copyrighted work of authors, artists, and creators who never gave permission for their works to be used for this purpose. What are the ethical and legal considerations and consequences of this quickly changing technology? What does this mean for you as a student, scholar, and creator? This session will give an overview of the current technological and legal landscape and provide some questions for you to consider as a user of AI.

Reasoning Models in Generative AI: How the Next Generation of LLMs Can Think

Reasoning Models in Generative AI: How the Next Generation of LLMs Can Think

The latest frontier “thinking models” can apparently begin to match the reasoning performance of humans. We will do a technical deep dive on the likely underpinnings of the latest generation of frontier reasoning models, including OpenAI’s o1 and o3. We will discuss and implement in Python a simple LLM that uses self-taught reasoning (STR) and Q-learning at both training and inference.

IMCI Lunch Series: Move Fast and Break Things? Evaluating the Rhetoric of Generative AI in Academic Communities

IMCI Lunch Series: Move Fast and Break Things? Evaluating the Rhetoric of Generative AI in Academic Communities

Popular discourse around generative AI (GenAI) often holds that the technology is revolutionary and will supercharge our productivity in life and work. In this presentation, Tyler will offer some reasons for skepticism about GenAI’s alleged speed and revolutionary potential.