Lightning Talks | Sparking conversations around AI in research and industry
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) hosted the first ever "Sparks AI & Industry" event.
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) extended an invitation to industry partners and university faculty to share their innovations in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Eleven presenters stood in front of a packed house to deliver the top technologies they’re working on. Among the presentations was Barry Mathis, the Managing Principal of IT Advisory Consulting at PYA, the power behind teknovation.biz, Sai Swaminathan, an Assistant Professor at UTK and recent winner of the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, as well as Victor Foulk, the Vice President of Emerging Technologies at CGI, and Kevin Heaslip, the Director of the Center for Transportation Research at UTK.
PYA on “The AI Edge”
Mathis took to the stage for the first round of presenters with five minutes on the clock to break down all the work PYA does in cybersecurity. Mathis’ background is in protecting patient data in complex hospital systems. He leads much of PYA’s thought leadership on cybersecurity and strategy implementation across hospital systems throughout the country.
“People call me ‘Scary Barry’ because I help articulate how AI can be a big threat to businesses, hospitals, and other organizations,” he said.
Though he is not truly scary, the topic of AI certainly can be when looking at how bad actors can equip the technology.
“A dumb criminal can now be smart,” Mathis noted, pointing to how easy it is to use AI to build fake websites, generate voice dubs, and mimic people’s writing styles. He also shared how AI can be used for good, especially when it comes to developing stronger cybersecurity protections, making processes more efficient, and contributing to more in-depth business analytics.
“Right now, AI is manageable, but when AI meets blockchain and quantum, it’s a whole new ball game,” he added.
UTK Innovator on “AI Chips”
Swaminathan, an Assistant Professor in the Tickle College of Engineering, is bringing to market a technology that transforms smart manufacturing. He explained that smart manufacturing involves “lots of sensors, and they need lots of batteries.”
Currently, those sensors collect data from individual machines, send the data to a computer, and then generate AI-driven analytics and reports. By the time the process is complete, the manufacturer may have missed critical real-time data.
Instead, Swaminathan has invented a light-powered sensor that attaches to machines, collects data, and transports it through light.
“It ensures no data leaves the building,” Swaminathan said. “Manufacturing is the number one industry for cyberattacks, and if we can eliminate the possibility, we will save companies a lot of money in the long run.”
Kevin Heaslip on AI for Transportation
Through his extensive work in the Center for Transportation Research at UTK, Heaslip noted the importance of not just making AI models that are fast and efficient, but also robust.
He showed a video of a self-driving car driving behind a landscaping vehicle with a tree on it. The AI system inside the electric self-driving car identified the tree and flagged it as an obstacle. As the car proceeded down the road, it swerved in and out of the lane to avoid the tree.
“Technically, the car is working as it’s programmed to—avoiding obstacles. But, AI doesn’t have a soul to know that this tree isn’t a legitimate threat,” Heaslip said. “Creating models that can adapt will be key.”
In addition to the lightning presentations, industry partners of the college were encouraged to network with UTK faculty and students in attendance.
Learn more about the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
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