About

The Artificial Intelligence Research & Innovation Working Group provides leadership in the incubation of cross-disciplinary AI research at USask, supports and leads capacity-building initiatives, and identifies opportunities for strategic growth.

Working Group

Membership of the Working Group includes USask faculty members with interest and/or experience in AI development and/or research applications with representation across disciplines. Key staff members from the Office of the Vice-President Research and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are also included.

Members of the Working Group will provide direction in the development of future workshops and events to build cross-campus research connections and build knowledge and capacity of resources and opportunities to support AI literacy across campus.

Saija Kontulainen

Julita Vassileva

Steven Rayan

Daniela Pita

Scott Adams

Paula MacDowell

Joelena Leader

Jason Hlady

Jason Hlady

Phani Adapa

Danielle Ellis

Events

Stay tuned for our upcoming workshops and events!

USask Artificial Intelligence Research Workshop

The USask AI Research Workshop on November 6, 2024, was the first step in creating a community of researchers who are connected, ready to collaborate, and prepared to apply for future funding opportunities around AI research. The workshop hosted 47 attendees, including researchers from a variety of scholarly disciplines and those who are interested in the development of AI technology and its application in research. The event hosted the following panel discussions:

Panel Discussion #1 – Advancement of AI Technology (Moderator: Ian Stavness)

  • Francis Bui, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Julita Vassileva, Computer Science, College of Arts & Science
  • Lucas Lehnert, Computer Science, College of Arts & Science
  • Natalia Stakhanova, Computer Science, College of Arts & Science

Panel Discussion 2 - Application of AI Technologies in Research (Moderator: Steven Rayan)

  • Steve Shirtliffe, Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
  • Jon Bath, School for the Arts, Art and Art History, College of Arts & Science
  • Paula MacDowell, Curriculum Studies, College of Education
  • Nate Osgood, Computer Science, College of Arts & Science

Breakout discussions were held for 8 key themes around AI and research:

  1. Application of AI in Natural Sciences & Agriculture
  2. Application of AI in Health
  3. Application of AI in Humanities, Social Sciences & Fine Arts
  4. Core AI Development: Engineering, Robotics, Algorithms
  5. AI Infrastructure & Computing Needs
  6. AI Algorithms & Data Types
  7. Human Agency & AI: Transparency, Bias, OCAP, Ethics
  8. AI Development: Security & Privacy, Data Sovereignty

The USask AI Research Workshop highlighted a strong need for further networking and collaboration opportunities across disciplines, engaging the entire faculty community.

Research Stories and Impact

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Contact

Meaghan Risling
Programs Coordinator, Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
306-966-7295