UArizona Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight

The WiDS Tucson conference is tomorrow! Don't miss this one-day technical conference featuring the latest data science research and applications across various domains. It's a great opportunity to connect with others in the field, inspire innovation, and learn about the amazing work of women in data science. WiDS Tucson is independently organized by the University of Arizona and is open to everyone interested in data science. ?? Friday March 28, 2025 ? 9am-5pm ?? ENR2 S215 Register now: https://bit.ly/4c45yDg Agenda: https://bit.ly/420F6Wt

The University of Arizona and Chandler Unified School District just launched the nation’s first high school cybersecurity clinic. 60 students earned their Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate after completing 124 hours of hands-on training — setting them up for real-world success before graduation. Backed by the University of Arizona, Chandler Unified School District, Google, and AZ Homeland Security, this program is changing the game for the next generation of cyber talent.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined the AI Core x Biosphere 2 Challenge at Hack Arizona! Your creativity, collaboration, and dedication to pushing boundaries with AI were next-level. Together, we explored how artificial intelligence can help us tackle food security and imagine sustainable ecosystems in space — and the ideas you brought to the table were nothing short of inspiring! Stay tuned for more updates on this project!

Excited to recognize Chandler Unified School District and students from Arizona College Prep and Basha High School tomorrow at their Cybersecurity Clinic Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

We're excited to join the AI Hardware Design League (AI-HDL) as they celebrate the achievements of student teams at their inaugural international competition. Stop by on Thursday to hear from industry leaders and recognize these talented teams from the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, and global university partners. ?? Thurs, March 27 | 3-5 PM (Reception to follow) ?? Grand Challenges Research Building, Room 130 RSVP here ?? https://bit.ly/AI-HDL

AI & Data Privacy: A Leadership Imperative Last week, I had the privilege of speaking as a panelist at the Data Summit, where we explored how organizations can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence while ensuring data security and privacy. As AI innovation accelerates, protecting personal and sensitive information is no longer just a technical challenge—it’s a leadership responsibility. A holistic, integrated approach is essential to safeguarding data across its entire lifecycle—from collection to storage, processing, and sharing. Here’s my perspective on the key pillars organizations must focus on: ? Policies serve as the foundation of responsible AI. Organizations must establish clear data security and privacy policies as a non-negotiable standard. These policies should align with regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA to ensure compliance and build trust with users. ? System architecture plays a crucial role in maintaining a secure AI environment. Organizations should develop a robust AI infrastructure that integrates multiple models, AI development environments, and governance tools. Having visibility into how data is collected, processed, and used ensures accountability and traceability at every stage. ? The model development process must embed privacy by design. To achieve this, organizations should focus on key principles: Data Minimization – Collect only the essential data necessary for AI operations. Anonymization & Encryption – Secure data both in transit and at rest to protect user privacy. Transparent AI Decisions – Ensure AI-generated outputs are explainable and interpretable. Continuous Auditing & Compliance – Regularly update systems to adapt to evolving regulations and mitigate risks. ? User communication and transparency are essential to building trust. AI should enhance human decision-making, not replace it. Organizations must seek clear, informed user consent before publishing AI-generated content. Implementing a human-in-the-loop approach ensures that AI serves as an assistive tool rather than a substitute for human judgment. The future of AI depends on a culture of responsibility. By fostering collaboration between data scientists, AI developers, security experts, and privacy professionals, we can drive AI innovation while ensuring that individual privacy remains protected.

ICDI and AI Core are fueling up to take on a big challenge and we need your innovation and creativity! AI Core is collaborating with Biosphere 2 – the world’s largest enclosed earth science laboratory – to explore how we can use AI to work toward food security and discover possibilities of food systems and sustainable ecosystems in space. In this AZ Hack challenge, students will get a chance to craft an AI strategy to leverage innovation and expertise for real-world impact. Let’s build the future together! Register now and join the challenge! https://bit.ly/4iXFKef

Meet Kudzai, an undergrad in applied physics and electrical & computer engineering who is pushing the boundaries of AI. Her journey into AI started with curiosity—playing around with generative models like ChatGPT and DALL·E 2. Now, she’s researching spiking neural networks and integrating AI into smartwatch security. She will present her work on variational quantum classifiers tested using IBM Quantum Computers at the Global Physics Summit. Beyond research, you might find her catching a Tucson sunset, getting back into rugby, or exploring Nobel Prize-winning literature. Subscribe to the AI Update to learn more about her and other AI innovators on campus https://bit.ly/4hijpHe #AISpotlight #UniversityOfArizona #AIUpdate #newsletter

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Innovation in Graduate Education (IGE) Roundtable & Hackathon! Your creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving made this event a true success. From tackling real-world challenges with industry and national lab experts to engaging in insightful discussions and showcasing groundbreaking research, your contributions were invaluable. We are excited to see how the ideas and connections from this event continue to grow. Share your biggest takeaways, favorite moments, or key insights in the comments below. #Innovation #GraduateEducation #Hackathon #Networking #Collaboration

The University of Arizona AI Hardware Design League (AI-HDL) is hosting its first-ever awards ceremony, and you’re invited! ?? Since launching in October 2024, AI-HDL has given students the chance to develop valuable tech skills, collaborate on exciting projects, and explore how AI can improve hardware design. Led by Dr. Soheil Salehi, this program has helped students gain hands-on experience in a fast-growing industry. ?? When: Thursday, March 27 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM ?? Where: Grand Challenges Research Building, Rm 130 | 750 N Cherry Ave ?? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gMVJkj6Z Come hear from industry professionals, see the amazing work of our student teams, and celebrate the winners of the competition! #UofA #AIHDL #Innovation #FutureOfTech #Networking #StudentSuccess