from the director
The explosion of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) systems being used around the world has been challenging to manage given the moral, ethical, and technological questions that linger. But one theme has become abundantly clear: these systems will be used across all industries and in every corner of our society, which means we need to be ready.
That’s why IDSC is charging ahead with plans to hire a new wave of AI/ML experts who will be embedded in the Miller School of Medicine, Miami Herbert Business School, and the School of Law. These joint hires will help the schools understand the real-world implications of these technologies in their fields, and help manage what the future will look like.
My goal has always been to push data science across all campuses and these hires will help get us there.
Miller School of Medicine
On the medical front, we’ve already established a great relationship with the Miller School as IDSC researchers have worked with the Department of Radiology to train computers to analyze X-Rays. Now we’re going deeper to use our ever-increasing computing power to better understand the complex biological systems of the human body. By using massive data sets that already exist, we’ll be able to gain molecular-level insights into the inner workings of the brain and the constantly evolving diseases that plague us.
UM has already pledged $30 million to create a new program in Computational Biology and to recruit scientists exploring neuroscience and aging. IDSC will be a critical component of that mission.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Slit Lamp Training in XR project team members Joao Ribeiro and Amanda Tran offer demos.
Miami Herbert Business School
I’m particularly excited about our developing partnership with the Miami Herbert Business School. Data science technology has revolutionized business, upending everything from manufacturing to shipping logistics to customer service. Even small businesses are racing to adopt the new tools, creating their own chatbots and internal AI/ML clients. But those changes have happened so quickly that business leaders are struggling to keep up. By having computer scientists embedded in the Business School, IDSC will be able to help the business leaders of tomorrow understand this new world and take advantage of its potential.
Miami Herbert Business School Dean Paul Pavlou speaks at IDSC Day.
School of Law
We’re also excited to dive into the world of law, where AI/ML techniques are drastically changing how lawyers work, the laws and regulations they operate under, and core legal principles like intellectual property, liability, and plagiarism.
When these tools first emerged, many in the legal profession were thrilled by the hope that time-consuming legal research could suddenly be done in minutes by computers. But judges across the country have blasted attorneys for using AI models that produced inaccurate or fabricated cases and for using AI-generated virtual lawyers to make their arguments in court. Those problems show how important it will be for UM law students to fully understand these tools and be able to chart a responsible, ethical path forward for their clients.
Our quest to spread data science across all campuses won’t stop with medicine, business, and law. If you have an idea of how data science can help you conduct research or teach your students, please reach out because you never know where the next AI/ML discovery will come from.
IDSC Director of Data Ethics + Society Andres Sawicki, JD (center) speaks at a Computing Day Panel on how the School of Law is utilizing AI.
Thank you,
Nick Tsinoremas, PhD
idsc founding director
vice provost for research computing and data
Pictured above and below: (L to R) Dr. Eduardo Alfonso chats with Dr. Nick Tsinoremas and Dr. Kaan Inal at IDSC Day.
