Artificial Intelligence

A new report by Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator director of artificial intelligence and technology policy Asad Ramzanali and Akhil Rajan analyzes the foundational model market, highlights a case study of a startup that experienced unfair treatment from a foundation model provider, and recommends a requirement for AI neutrality similar to “net neutrality” rules in broadband. Read More

Vanderbilt University co-hosted the inaugural Defense Tech Leadership Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, convening leaders from business, government, defense and academia in a city emerging as a hub for defense and high-technology innovation. Read More

Being able to tell whether an image is real or generated by AI may be something you’re born with: object recognition. “It’s a stable trait that helps people meet new perceptual challenges,” study author Professor Isabel Gauthier said. “We were shocked to see how intelligence or even technology training did not help accurately judge if a face is AI.” Object recognition has been linked to success in a wide range of tasks, such as X-ray analysis and cancer cell categorization. Read More

Vanderbilt University’s College of Connected Computing has launched the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center, a “living laboratory” that will catalyze ethical, human-centered use of generative and agentic AI in research, teaching and learning, student success, administrative operations, and external partnerships. The center is co-led by Center Director and Professor of Computer Science Jules White and Chief AI and Technology Officer Allen Karns. Read More

New drug discovery institute brings together AI, genomics, systems biology and translational research to accelerate cures for major diseases. Read More

Vanderbilt University expands its generative AI tool and training to include community-wide access to ChatGPT Edu, Amplify 2.0 and Grow with Google, part of a multi-tool approach to powering advancements in research, education and operations. Read More

What does the future of AI and robotics look like in our daily lives and as a career field? In a special episode of Quantum Potential, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with Matthew Johnson-Roberson, the inaugural dean of the College of Connected Computing, about the accelerating evolution of AI and robotics. Read More

Winners from the latest cycle of the Ignite Tech Development Grant have been announced, showcasing the diverse potential of emerging learning technology innovation. This year’s competition attracted a strong and diverse applicant pool from across Vanderbilt’s schools and all academic levels, from undergraduates to faculty. The winning proposals focus on learning that spans the spectrum from math to empathy to AI ethics. Read More

As AI usage grows, so too does the energy demand on AI-related infrastructure. Experts in energy and energy policy discussed the environmental ramifications during the 2025 Vanderbilt AI Symposium. Read More

In this conversation with Vanderbilt Magazine, Dean Matthew Johnson-Roberson discusses his vision for the new College of Connected Computing, the integration of AI across disciplines and why “connected computing” represents the future of technology education. Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: AI is becoming a common tool for Human Resources departments. Learn from new faculty Salvatore Falletta about the ethical lines between creepy AI analytics creative decision making. Read More

The role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery has been limited by machine learning methods that fail when they encounter chemical structures they weren’t “trained” on. Assistant Professor Benjamin Brown has written a paper suggesting a more targeted approach: using a task-specific model architecture that’s intentionally restricted to learn from a representation of the interaction space between a protein and a drug molecule and be better able to generalize and figure out which compound might best interact with that protein. That’s important, because identifying those compounds early cuts the costs and time involved in developing drugs. Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: Get to know Shekhar Bhansali, new head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and his vision for AI engineering education. Read More

Vanderbilt University has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, aiming to address middle Tennessee’s growing technology talent demand, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence and cloud computing skills. The program offers faculty from area universities access to content for their courses related to AI, cloud development and cybersecurity as well as access to experiential learning opportunities for their students. Read More

The Human Language Analysis Lab directed by H. Andrew Schwartz, which just moved to Vanderbilt’s new College of Connecting Computing, is running a key part of the annual worldwide artificial intelligence test, SemEval, which will evaluate how well current AI text systems understand human emotion. Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Generative AI is ubiquitous these days, but its use tends to raise as many questions—from practical to ethical—as it answers. A Vanderbilt website launched this spring, the Peabody Hub for Mindful AI Innovation, provides a space for users to take a breath and… Read More

In a new white paper sponsored by the Vanderbilt AI Law Lab (VAILL) and Vanderbilt Private Climate Governance Lab (PCG), Vanderbilt researchers spotlight two innovative tools they built to accelerate research into climate adaptation policy and AI regulation. Read More

Vanderbilt University has established the Enterprise AI and Computing Innovation Studio, a groundbreaking collaboration between VUIT, the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center and the Data Science Institute. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers uncovered evidence of a Chinese government-linked AI propaganda campaign, revealing unprecedented scale and precision in influence operations. The work reflects the university’s growing role in addressing urgent global security challenges.  Read More

Jack Noble, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is working with clinical colleagues to develop and validate an augmented reality vision guidance system to help surgeons place cochlear implants more precisely. The guidance system leverages emerging artificial intelligence technology and uses inexpensive, commonly available equipment, making it practical for many operating rooms. Read More