News

On AI for the Rest of Us: How AI is Accelerating Discovery

A woman in a white lab coat and gloves holds up a molecule that has been magnified to the size of her head

08/01/2024 - From data analysis, code writing, summarizing scientific literature and even designing experiments, researchers across disciplines are using AI tools to aid in their research.Adam Klivans, a professor of computer science and Alex Dimakis, a computer and electrical engineering professor, co-direct the Machine Learning Lab and the Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning. Together with Marc Airhart and Casey Boyle discuss how artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in the latest scientific discoveries. Read Article

Building Industry Bridges: Computer Scientist Peter Stone Tackles New Role for Sony, While Leading at UT

Peter Stone standing in the Gates Dell Complex in a blue button down shirt, arms crossed and smiling at camera.

07/30/2024 - Peter Stone of UT computer science leads Sony AI in the U.S. and is now its chief scientist and deputy president. Read More

In Robot Soccer and More, UT Students Best the Competition in Eindhoven

Eight people, half of them in Texas Robotics shirts and half in Wisconsin badgers t-shirts, pose on a soccer field, several of them holding small robots in jerseys.

07/24/2024 - Among hundreds of teams from around the world competing at RoboCup 2024, UT researchers and their robots shine. Read More

On AI for the Rest of Us: AI at Work

A hand holds a block with an image of a robotic head and the hand is preparing to drop the block into a gap in a line of blocks, each with an icon representing a work task ssuch as driving, using a hammer, sorting files or stapling

07/18/2024 - Artificial intelligence integration into the workforce brings many questions. From impacts on workers and consumers alike, what would increasing AI in the workplace look like? Maytal Saar-Tsechansky, a professor in the McCombs School of Business with experience developing AI algorithms for improved decision-making and achieving business and personal goals, and Samantha Shorey, an assistant communications professor, join Marc Airhart and Casey Boyle to dig deeper into the increasing use of AI in the workplace. Read Article

UT computer science lab announces way to make short-form content more accessible

Amy Pavel standing outside on UT Austin campus in a black button down shirt smiling at the camera.

07/15/2024 - The UT computer science lab, with faculty member Amy Pavel and recent graduate Tess Van Daele at the forefront, has developed an AI system called ShortScribe to enhance accessibility for visually impaired users of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Pavel, an assistant computer science professor and co-author of the research paper, explained that the system utilizes AI technologies such as Optical Character Recognition, Automatic Speech Transmission, and GPT-4 to segment videos, transcribe speech, and create detailed audio descriptions. Read Article

Computer Scientist Keshav Pingali Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Programing Languages

Professor Keshav Pingali in front of the Gates Dell Complex in a light blue denim button-down shirt and black framed glasses.

07/09/2024 - Pingali has received the Programming Languages Achievement Award by the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Programming Languages (SIGPLAN). Read More

On AI for the Rest of Us: The University of AI

College students wearing spirit gear that reads "University of AI"

07/04/2024 - Artificial intelligence could revolutionize education by providing students with easy access to an affordable tutor and supporter. However, what happens if these AI tools provide inaccurate information or reduce students' need for the critical thinking that drives genuine learning? And if AI chatbots can teach everything, what’s the value of a college education? Read Article

On AI for the Rest of Us: Rise of LLMs

Image generated with Midjourney, a generative AI tool. Photo-Illustration: Martha Morales

06/20/2024 - Large-Language Models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude exploded into the mainstream a few years back. Now, associate CS professor Greg Durrett talks with co-hosts Marc Airhart and Casey Boyle about the future of these LLMs. Will they eventually get too good and take our jobs? What about disinformation? Read Article

On AI for the Rest of Us: What is AI, Anyways?

A robotic hand pours coffee into a mug being held by a human hand

06/06/2024 - Co-hosts Marc Airhart and Casey Boyle talk with CS Professor Peter Stone to distinguish what is and is not artificial intelligence. Stone, also director of Texas Robotics, executive director of Sony AI America, works on the 100 Year Study on AI and is part of UT’s Good Systems initiative. Airhart, Boyle, and Stone talk about ethical AI use and what is the best way of thinking about it in this artificial intelligence primer. Read Article

Introducing: AI for the Rest of Us

Two people look at a wall emblazoned with the words "AI for the rest of us"

05/30/2024 - A new podcast, made in collaboration with the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts, will answer the burning questions in all things artificial intelligence. Guests from across campus will engage in conversations with co-hosts Marc Airhart, a science communicator for CNS and Casey Boyle, associate rhetoric professor and Digital Writing and Research Lab Director. Read Article