Machines & Methods: AI for Research

The Biggio Center and the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment are excited to host Machines & Methods: AI for Research on Thursday, October 9, 2025. This one-day, hybrid event is designed to give Auburn faculty and researchers a practical understanding of artificial intelligence, its applications across disciplines, and its implications for research integrity and collaboration.

Machines & Methods: AI for Research

7:45 – 8:30 AM
Check-in, Breakfast & Networking

8:30 – 8:45 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:45 – 9:45 AM
AI 101: What Every Researcher Should Know

9:45 – 11:15 AM
Core AI Principles: LLMs, Generative AI (Diffusion, GANs, VAEs)

11:15 – 11:30 AM
Morning session Q & A (Mell 3546 open for relaxation)

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Practical AI Tools for Research

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Use Cases Across Disciplines

3:00 – 3:15 PM
Break (Mell 3546 open for relaxation)

3:15 – 4:00 PM
Ethics, Integrity, and Trust in AI

4:00 – 4:45 PM
Collaborative Session: Developing Joint Research Proposals

About the Speaker

Dr. Jiaqi Gong is the Director of the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (ALAAI) and an Associate Professor of Computer Science at The University of Alabama. A recognized leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Dr. Gong’s research drives interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of ubiquitous computing, large-scale data science, and human-AI collaboration. His work spans the design of intelligent sensor systems, human-robot teaming, and the application of AI to real-world challenges in public health, education, and environmental resilience. Dr. Gong’s contributions extend beyond academia, shaping the broader societal impact of AI and setting new standards for translational research and ethical innovation.

https://biggio.auburn.edu/events/machines-and-methods

Registration link: aub.ie/machines_methods

Thursday, October 9, 2025 (Fall Break)
Mell 2550 (Main Event) | Mell 3546 (Relaxation Room)
Expected Attendance: 80–100 | Hybrid Event (See registration link for information about remote viewing.)