IDIA symposium gathers researchers to discuss AI: Remarks from Co-PI Amarda Shehu

Event held: February 3rd, 2023 at George Mason University, learn more here.

More than 150 faculty representing George Mason University’s ten schools and colleges got together on February 3rd in the Institute of Digital InnovAtion (IDIA)’s AI Innovation Symposium. The symposium was a concerted effort by IDIA to advance AI at Mason by catalyzing transdisciplinary communities of practice around emerging topics in AI.

This event showcases Mason’s commitment to working on issues related to AI through transdisciplinary collaborations, much like the work of our own team — AI Strategies.

AI Strategies Co-PI Amarda Shehu, who also serves as IDIA’s associate vice president of research, spoke about the symposium’s overarching goals: “The objective is to bring together faculty and researchers with a shared passion and complementary expertise to instigate and sustain long-term collaborations, ambitious research and educational agendas, and large-scale research, educational, and workforce development activities.”

Shehu also spoke about the desire to continue strengthening the foundations for transdisciplinary research in the AI space at Mason through events such as the symposium. "We believe this is an important step towards truly leveraging synergies and connecting pockets of deep expertise across Mason to build a rich ecosystem of impactful, transdisciplinary activities as we continue to activate Mason Square and Fuse and position Mason for impact. This symposium will be one of many IDIA large-scale activities targeted to building community around AI and other technological frontiers and establishing Mason as a leader in the digital innovation space."

This coming May, the AI Strategies team will collaborate with IDIA, the Center for Advancing Human-Machine Partnership (CAHMP), the Schar School of Policy and Government, and the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at Mason to host the first AI Technology and Policy Bootcamp. A prime example of a follow-up activity of the AI Innovation Symposium, the bootcamp will leverage the transdisciplinary expertise of our team and partnering organizations to educate graduate students in social science on the fundamental engineering concepts of AI, the policy and regulatory frameworks which govern AI, and the debates on AI ethics. Stay tuned for more information about this event!