Whether you’re interested in the latest updates on artificial intelligence systems like DeepSeek and OpenAI, or you simply want to investigate new and creative uses for AI, Vanderbilt’s Data Science Institute is hosting its second annual AI Days event, March 5-6.
With in-person and virtual sessions planned, AI Days is open to the public and returns this year with an expanded program featuring distinguished speakers and innovative tracks.
“This is a great opportunity for the entire Vanderbilt campus, for our alumni and the Nashville community to learn about AI—whether from a general perspective, or how we’re thinking about it and using it in areas across the university,” said DSI director Jesse Spencer-Smith. “Participants will explore modern training methods and architectural models in AI to ensure that they are up to date in this rapidly evolving landscape.”
AI itself will even play an active role in curating the event by making personalized suggestions about which learning events and networking suggested to attend bases on an attendee’s background and interests.
“The event will connect our community in ways that only AI can,” Spencer-Smith said.
The keynote speaker will be Vanderbilt alumnus Ben Hunt, BA’86, creator of the website Epsilon Theory and chief investment officer at Second Foundation Partners. Hunt will discuss “Reading the Rhyme of History: Using Generative AI to Identify the Semantic Signatures of Primary Texts” on March 5, from 3:30-4:30.
Other speakers include Spencer-Smith; Jules White, Dean of Strategic Learning Programs at Vanderbilt; Charreau Bell, director of Data Science Minor at Vanderbilt; and Curtis Northcutt, CEO and co-founder of Cleanlab.
For faculty and students that will be teaching AI models or using AI models in their classroom or research, the event offers essential topics. Tracks include examining how AI is reshaping protein science; a comprehensive exploration of AI in higher education; a look at how AI is transforming real-world learning environments; and insight into the sociological and philosophical dimensions of AI development.
In addition to DSI, other schools, institutes, programs, and offices at Vanderbilt working in AI that are participating in the event include: Center for Applied AI in Protein Dynamics (CAAPD), College of Connected Computing (CCC), School of Engineering, Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE), AI Legal Lab (VAILL), Learning Innovation Incubator (LIVE), Lab for Immersive AI Translation (VALIANT), AdvancedED, and Arts & Science AI Grand Challenge.
Register here and to also learn more about the event.
