SMART Workshop: April 30-May 2, 2024 | Social Machines and AI Robotics Technology (SMART)

The SMART Workshop, sponsored by the AI Tennessee Initiative, is a dynamic event designed to delve into the convergence of artificial intelligence with crucial societal sectors. This workshop explores a diverse range of topics, including smart transportation, ethics in AI, workforce development, healthcare innovations, and robotics. It provides a platform for leading researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to discuss and showcase how AI technologies can enhance urban mobility, ethical decision-making, employment opportunities, medical care, and robotic applications. Join us to engage with cutting-edge research and collaborative discussions that aim to shape the future of technology in society.

Goals & Outcomes

Discuss diverse conceptualization of the SMART- Social Machines and AI Robotics Technologies.
Develop a collaboration network map for SMART activities around the identified themes.
Develop Catalogue of SMART opportunities, stakeholders, collaborators.
Develop a White Paper on Smart technologies.

Conference Schedule

April 30

Location: Loom Room, Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 1109 White Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916

6:00pm – 7:00pm

Welcome Reception

May 1

Location: UT Student Union, Room 262B, 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916

8:00am – 8:45am	Breakfast
8:45am – 9:15am	Opening Remarks: Deborah Crawford, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, & Economic Development Dr. Ozlem Kilic, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Founding Dean, College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies Dr. Vasileios Maroulas, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Deputy Director, AI Tennessee Initiative Host: Dr. Suzie Allard
9:15am -10:45am	AI & Ethics: This crucial panel addresses the ethical considerations and challenges that arise with the advancement of AI technologies. Topics include privacy concerns, decision-making biases in AI algorithms, and the moral responsibilities of AI developers and users. The session aims to highlight the importance of ethical frameworks in AI development and usage, fostering a dialogue on maintaining human values in a technology-driven world. Panelists: Dr. Ken Fleischmann, Dr. Vandana Singh, Dr. Harry Dahms, Dr. Jiqun Liu Moderator: Dr. Courtney Cronley
10:45am -11:00am	Break
11:00am -12:30pm	Smart Transportation: This panel explores the integration of AI technologies into transportation systems to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Discussions will delve into the development of smart infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and the challenges of implementing these technologies in urban and rural settings. Panelists will address technological advancements, regulatory challenges, and the future of smart mobility solutions. Panelists: Dr. Abhishek Dubey, Dr. Dan Work, Dr. Ali Karimoddini, Dr. Zhenbo Wang Moderator: Dr. Kevin Heaslip
12:30pm -1:30pm	Lunch & Poster Session
1:30pm – 3:00pm	AI & Robotics: Covering the intersection of AI and robotics, this session focuses on how these technologies are being used to revolutionize industries, from manufacturing to personal assistance. Discussions will explore current innovations, the integration of AI into robotic systems, and the societal implications of increasingly autonomous machines. Panelists: Dr. Yu Zhang, Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, Dr. Marshall Prado Moderator: Dr. Xiaopeng Zhao
3:00pm – 3:15pm	Break
3:15pm – 4:30pm	Working Groups: This interactive session provides a platform for attendees to engage directly with specific AI topics in smaller, focused groups. These discussions are designed to foster collaboration and ideation among participants, driving forward practical applications and theoretical advancements in various AI fields. AI & Ethics, led by Dr. Courtney Cronley Smart Transportation: led by Dr. Kevin Heaslip AI & Workforce: led by Dr. Mehmet Aydeniz, AI & Robotics: led by Dr. Yu Zhang AI & Healthcare: led by Dr. Robert Davis
4:30pm – 6:00pm	Break
6:00pm – 7:30pm	Dinner

May 2

Location: UT Student Union, Room 262B, 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916

8:00am – 9:00am	Breakfast
9:00am – 10:30am	AI & Workforce: This panel discusses the transformative impact of AI on the workforce, highlighting both the potential disruptions and the opportunities for job creation. It explores how AI could deepen existing inequalities and what policies and educational initiatives are needed to prepare the current and future workforce for changes brought by AI. Innovative approaches to workforce development in the age of AI, including re-skilling and lifelong learning, will be central themes. Panelists: Dr. Art Recesso, Dr. Amir Sadovnik, Dr. Charles Liu Moderator: Dr. Mehmet Aydeniz
10:30am – 10:45am	Break
10:45am – 12:15pm	Concluding Plenary AI’s Role in Advancing Healthcare: Join us for a compelling plenary presentation by Dr. May Wang, focusing on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. Wang, a distinguished faculty fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology and an esteemed leader in the fields of Biomedical Big Data and AI-driven health informatics, will provide valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the healthcare landscape. Speaker: Dr. May Wang, Professor, Wallace H. Coulter Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Kavli Fellow, GCC Distinguished Cancer Scholar, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech
12:15pm – 1:15pm	Lunch
1:15-3:15	Networking Session

Speakers

Mehmet Aydeniz, UTK

Deb Crawford, UTK

Harry Dahms, UTK

Bob Davis, UTHSC

Abhishek Dubey, Vanderbilt University

Ken Fleischmann, University of Texas Austin

Ali Karimoddini, North Carolina A&T State University

Ozlem Kilic, UTK

Xueping Li, UTK

Charles Liu, UTK

Jiqun Liu, University of Oklahoma

Mohammad Mahoor, University of Denver

Vasilieos Maroulas, UTK

Marshall Prado, UTK

Art Recesso, University System of Georgia

Amir Sadovnik, ORNL

Vandana Singh, UTK

Zhenbo Wang, UTK

May Wang, Georgia Tech

Dan Work, Vanderbilt University

Yu Zhang, Arizona State University