HOUGHTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan Technological University is hosting a 3-day event, inviting alumni, faculty, and student leaders to discuss the challenges and ever-growing effects of artificial intelligence. Showcase AI is a unique event allowing student and faculty to show off their work in the field of artificial intelligence. On Wednesday, October 4th, the 3-day event began at the Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center where students presented posters and even full scale designs outlining their AI-related research.
“Is really an opportunity to showcase everything that we’re doing in computing at Michigan Tech, both at the college of computing but in all the units at Michigan Tech,” commented Dan Fuhrmann. Dr. Fuhrmann, who sits as Chair of the Department of Applied Computing commented that these events give students an opportunity to discuss their design challenges in front of alumni, faculty, and industry leaders.
“It helps them build their network skill their social skill and also to hone their message about what it is that they’re doing in artificial intelligence or in other areas as well,” continued Fuhrmann.
Students were presenting VR headsets designed to streamline a lot of manufacturing and even drone technology that’s aimed at helping search and rescue teams. Fuhrmann noted that artificial intelligence isn’t far in the future, but right at our doorstep and MTU is pushing to get ahead.
“For a long time, it was strictly just an academic exercise, and all of a sudden it became real and it became profitable and suddenly there was a lot more activity in it as the algorithms became for sophisticated all of the promises over the last 50 years came true all of a sudden,” continued Fuhrmann.
Thursday, MTU will host speakers from the Department of Energy focused on women in technology, and on Friday, a panel from the automotive industry to wrap up the showcase.
Click here for a full schedule of this weeks Showcase AI.
