Dec 18, 2023 — Ashok Goel, a professor of computer science and human-centered computing in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech and Director of AI-ALOE, is featured in the Georgia Tech Alum Magazine, Vol. 99, No. 04, Winter 2023, by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. You can read the feature here.

April 12, 2024 — The National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE) hosted its inaugural showcase at Georgia Tech, bringing together experts and enthusiasts in AI and education. The event, held on April 3, 2024, featured a series of engaging activities designed to highlight AI-ALOE’s innovative research and work in the field for nearly 100 people.

The showcase commenced with a welcome address from Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, who lauded AI-ALOE’s remarkable achievements in transforming education. Attendees were treated to lightning talks showcasing innovative AI-ALOE projects, providing a glimpse into the institute’s initiatives.

One of the highlights of the showcase was a panel discussion on “The AI in Education Convergence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Collaborations.” Moderated by Ashok Goel, Executive Director of AI-ALOE and Georgia Tech Professor in the School of Interactive Computing, the panel included experts from Georgia Tech such as Didier Contis, Executive Director of Academic Technology, Innovation, Research Computing at the Office of Information Technology; Larry Heck, Professor of ECE and Interactive Computing, Rhesa S. Farmer Jr., Advanced Computing Concepts Chair, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, and Co-Executive Director of AI Hub and ML Center; and Larry Jacobs, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and Senior Vice Provost for Education and Learning.

Additionally, the showcase featured poster sessions and demonstrations, allowing attendees to explore firsthand the latest developments in AI-ALOE’s projects while enjoying a light lunch.

AI-ALOE’s inaugural showcase is one of many indications to its commitment to driving innovation and excellence in adult learning and online education.

The event also served as a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations, setting the stage for future advancements at the intersection of AI and education.

Mar 27, 2024 — In a recent article titled “How to AI: Best AI Tools for Teachers” by The Tech Advocate, a revolutionary innovation in education takes center stage: Jill Watson from Georgia Tech’s AI-ALOE Institute. This AI teaching assistant, powered by IBM’s Watson platform, is revolutionizing the way educators approach teaching and student engagement, paving the way for a more personalized and efficient learning experience.

Jill Watson’s impact spreads far beyond traditional teaching methods. She excels in handling routine queries that often consume instructors’ valuable time in large classroom settings. By automating responses to common questions, Jill Watson not only enhances the efficiency of teaching workflows but also frees up educators to focus on delivering high-quality content and fostering meaningful interactions with students.

What sets Jill Watson apart is her ability to personalize the learning journey for each student. Through AI-driven insights and adaptive learning algorithms, Jill can tailor responses and recommendations to individual student needs, effectively bridging knowledge gaps and reinforcing learning outcomes. This personalized approach not only improves student understanding but also empowers educators to deliver targeted support where it’s needed most.

Jill Watson embodies AI in education, fostering a collaborative and interactive learning environment by providing instant feedback, resources, and explanations, encouraging students to actively engage with course materials and take ownership of their learning journey.

Jill Watson’s story is a representative of a larger trend in leveraging AI tools to enhance education. Across the educational landscape, AI-driven platforms featured in the article like Knewton, Quillionz, Socratic by Google, Carnegie Learning, Gradescope, Duolingo for Schools, FeedbackFruits, and Thinkster Math are transforming teaching methodologies, grading processes, and student-teacher interactions.

As educators navigate the digital age of education, Jill Watson showcases AI’s transformative potential that will enable educators to create personalized, engaging learning environments worldwide.

Mar 20, 2024 — AAAI has officially published the Spring 2024 Special Issue of AI Magazine on NSF’s AI Institutes. This special edition also features the initiatives funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National AI Research Institutes program. See the impact of 25 AI Institutes as they push the boundaries of AI research. Discover more about these initiatives and their significant contributions to the field.

The magazine features insights into the future of AI and its impact on society: Introduction to the Special Issue w/Ashok Goel | Chaohua Ou

See our work reskilling, upskilling, and workforce development and learn how AI is transforming adult learning and online education to shape the future of our workforce through AI-ALOE’s feature article in the magazine: AI-ALOE: AI for reskilling, upskilling, and workforce development w/ Ashok Goel | Chris Dede | Myk Garn | Chaohua Ou.

Access the entire issue, here.

March 11, 2024 — The AI-ALOE 2-day Retreat was a success! More than 30 attendees joined in person, with an additional 12 participating virtually. The lineup of speakers featured AI-ALOE members including Chris Dede, Aileen Reid, Rahul Dass, and more, alongside guests such as Tomasso Calo and Lee Wilson from IBM. Presentations covered a range of topics, including those by additional AI-ALOE members Sandeep Kakar, Rahul Dass, and others. The event also included a breakout sessions led by Chris Dede and others.

Looking ahead, AI-ALOE is diving deeper into themes such as Theories of Learning and Change, Experiment Design, and Data Analysis, exploring new perspectives like ICAPs and Self-Efficacy. AI-ALOE Director Ashok Goel emphasized the importance of these fresh lenses in shaping our inquiries and measurements.

Feb 28, 2024 — Recap of the panel session titled “AI Strategic Initiatives and Policies,” held on Friday, February 23, 2024. During this session, experts discussed how AI is reshaping the global economy and security and how different countries are responding with strategic initiatives and policies.

The session covered various topics, starting with an overview of the US NSF’s National AI Institutes Program by Jim Donlon.

Ashok Goel, Director of AI-ALOE, shared insights into a specific National AI Institute, giving practical examples of how these institutes operate.

Michael Littman, who currently serving as Division Director for Information and Intelligent Systems at the National Science Foundation, talked about how the US structures and processes its national strategic initiatives in AI, providing a clear understanding of how policies are developed. Kiri Wagstaff, a machine learning researcher, educator, and AAAI Fellow, focused on current and potential AI-related policies in the US, highlighting what areas are being emphasized. Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of UNSW.AI, UNSW’s new AI Institute, compared these US initiatives and policies with those of other countries, giving attendees a global perspective on AI strategies.

Read more: https://aaai.org/aaai-conference/aaai-24-panels/

Feb 27, 2024 — Congratulations to Grace Guo for being one of the 10 recipients selected as an distinguished 2023 IBM PhD Fellowship Award recipient. The 2023 IBM PhD Fellowship Award Program received hundreds of applications from 59 universities in 14 countries. Applications were reviewed by eminent technologists from across IBM. The award recipients demonstrated academic excellence as well as provided innovative, exceptional research proposals.

Since 1951, IBM has recognized and rewarded outstanding PhD students around the world through a highly competitive IBM PhD Fellowship Award program. The distinguished 2023 IBM PhD Fellowship Award recipients demonstrated expertise in pioneering research areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Hybrid Cloud, Security, Quantum Computing and Responsible and Inclusive Technology.

Feb 27, 2024 —Exciting Announcement! AI-ALOE is thrilled to share with you the latest issue of AAAI’s AI Magazine, featuring insights into the future of AI and its impact on society: Introduction to the Special Issue w/Ashok Goel | Chaohua Ou

See our work reskilling, upskilling, and workforce development and learn how AI is transforming adult learning and online education to shape the future of our workforce through AI-ALOE’s article: AI-ALOE: AI for reskilling, upskilling, and workforce development w/ Ashok Goel | Chris Dede | Myk Garn | Chaohua Ou

This special edition also features the initiatives funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National AI Research Institutes program. See the impact of 25 AI Institutes as they push the boundaries of AI research. Discover more about these initiatives and their significant contributions to the field.

Feb 16, 2024 — School of Psychology Professor Ruth Kanfer, an Executive Committee member of AI-ALOE, earned the Dunnette Prize for her research in industrial-organizational psychology. She will officially receive the honor and deliver an invited address at the SIOP Annual Conference. Read more: https://psychology.gatech.edu/news/psychology-faculty-awarded-prestigious-siop-dunnette-prize

Driving Digital Innovation – CXOTech Magazine

Jan 25, 2024 — A new article by Steven Ferguson, CIO of the Technical College System of Georgia and AI-ALOE Executive Committee Member, explores the significance of driving digital innovation in organizations. Ferguson shares his journey and emphasizes the need for embracing emerging technologies, fostering a culture of innovation, and forming strategic partnerships. He highlights recent trends like AI, IoT, cloud computing, and cybersecurity while advocating for a balanced approach to adopting new technologies. Ferguson stresses the transformative impact of digital innovation on industries and urges leaders to adapt to stay competitive. Read here: https://cxotechmagazine.com/driving-digital-innovation/