AI thought leaders emphasize human-centered approach at U of A summit
The Arizona AI Leadership Summit brought together experts from several sectors to advance a community-driven, ethical approach to AI.
David Ebert, U of A chief AI and data science officer, addresses conference attendees at evening gathering.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Experts and decision makers across academia, government, industry and nonprofit organizations gathered for the Arizona AI Leadership Summit at the University of Arizona on March 18 to discuss how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed responsibly to advance public benefit.
Nearly 200 people, from across the country and as far away as the Netherlands, attended, representing national labs, higher education, government agencies and technology-focused private sector organizations.
David Ebert, the U of A inaugural chief AI and data science officer, joined colleagues from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University in a panel discussion on the importance of universities serving as good neighbors within their communities.
“I see the role of us being a resource for the community and really being that independent arbiter to help educate and to help clarify and raise these issues that lead to national solutions,” Ebert said. “That’s why we focus on a community-driven approach to what we do.”
Ebert leads the university’s Office of Responsible AI, which organized the summit and hosted the national Academic Data Science Alliance on the U of A campus on March 16-17. Ebert and his team have incorporated feedback from across the university to enhance the responsible, reliable and sustainable implementation of AI across education, research and operations across the U of A.
Sessions throughout the day encouraged thoughtful discussions on AI governance, workforce preparation, ethical deployment of emerging technologies and collaboration across academia, government and industry. Ryan Wright, co-director of AI research at the University of Virginia, attributed the university’s success to Ebert’s ability to balance a top-down and a bottom-up approach.
“The University of Arizona is a leader in the space around AI because of the investment they made into leadership,” he said. “Having somebody who can facilitate those conversations is critically important.”
Other conversations focused on fears about data privacy, the early adoption of AI by younger generations and the risk of losing entire cultures to bias—the concern that only those with access to large language models can train them with information, leaving others without access behind.
A recurring theme throughout the day was people. Whether it’s family or future generations, the future of artificial intelligence needs to put people first, Ebert said.
“Since my first conversation here at the university, it is clear that everyone is committed to do this responsibly and take it seriously,” he said. “We are acting as stewards of a future where AI is built on a foundation of integrity, and we are providing the framework that helps our community navigate this with confidence."
Participants in the Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) Leadership Summit, pictured outside the Grand Challenges Research Building, also attended the AI in Leadership Summit on March 18. The ADSA summit was held March 16–17.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
From left: Rudy Salcido, research program administration manager; Lauren Coronado, event strategist; and Kris Daigle, event coordinator, helped coordinate the AI Leadership Summit.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
From left: Barney Maccabe, associate dean of research, College of Information Science, University of Arizona; Justin Starren, director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics (CB2); and Sandra Gesing, executive director, US Research Software Engineer Association.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Aimee Mapes, director, Writing across the Curriculum, University Center for Assessment, Teaching and Technology, University of Arizona, moderates the panel discussion "AI Curriculum, Pathways and Workforce: Preparing Arizona and the Nation for the AI Economy." Panelists, from left: Mario Banuelos, associate professor and associate chair of mathematics, California State University Fresno; Jim Craig, dean of business, information technology and hospitality leadership, Pima Community College; Onicio B. Leal-Neto, assistant research professor of digital epidemiology, University of Arizona; Jialu Li, assistant professor, College of Information Science, University of Arizona; Paul Nersesian, talent development and culture manager, Master Electronics; and Ferris Ramadan, labor market information director, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
From left: Barney Maccabe, associate dean of research, College of Information Science, University of Arizona; Justin Starren, director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics (CB2); and Sandra Gesing, executive director, US Research Software Engineer Association.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Panelists in the session "From Campus to Community: Universities as Good Neighbors (AI Infrastructure) for Arizona," from left: David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer, University of Arizona; John Georgas, senior vice provost for academic operations, Northern Arizona University; and Ross Maciejewski, director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence and Ira A. Fulton Professor of Computer Science, Arizona State University.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Conference lunchtime outside Meinel Optical Sciences Building
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer, participates in the panel, "From Campus to Community: Universities as Good Neighbors"
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Barney Maccabe, associate dean of research, College of Information Science, University of Arizona, moderates the panel discussion "AI Leadership in Government: Chief AI Officers, State Innovation Officers and University Partners." Panelists, from left: David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer, University of Arizona; Nikki McMillen Lee, councilwoman, Ward 4, Tucson City Council; Michelle Watt, chief technology officer in residence, Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy, Northern Arizona University; and Ryan Wright, Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Professor of Commerce and co-director of AI research, University of Virginia.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
Diana Daly, associate dean for graduate academic affairs, University of Arizona, moderates the panel discussion "Communicating AI to Society: Trust, Ethics and Public Understanding." Panelists, from left: Wendy Jameson, founder, CEO and AI strategy advisor, Potentiate; Minky Kernacs, co-founder and CEO, Mercurio Analytics, Arizona Technology Council; Dominic Rodriguez, associate director of operations, Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona; Jennifer Savary, Terry J. and Tina Lundgren Endowed Chair for Marketing and Retail and co-director of the Lundgren Retail Collaborative, University of Arizona; Jamie Sheppard, CEO, Mauka Digital; and Dani Wright, chief programs officer, Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer, Office of Responsible AI, University of Arizona, moderates the panel discussion "Industry-Academia-Government Alignment: Building Arizona's AI Ecosystem." Panelists, from left: Amanda Abens, assistant vice chancellor for workforce development and innovation, Pima Community College; Jim Ahrens, director and senior scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory; Mahesh Chaudhari, assistant professor, MS in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program, University of San Francisco; Whitney Daniels, senior advisor, Arizona Governor's Office of Strategic Initiatives, and head of Governor Hobbs' AI Steering Committee; Doug Hockstad, associate vice president, Tech Launch Arizona, University of Arizona; and Emily McCarthy, executive director, Center for Career Readiness, University of Arizona.
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler