By Mattia Prosperi, Ph.D.
We live in an era of unprecedented technological change, with advancements in artificial intelligence transforming the way we live, learn and interact with one another. At the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, we are proud to be at the forefront of this innovation, with faculty and students working together to develop and apply AI solutions that benefit both our campus and the broader community.
This fall semester has brought a wealth of exciting AI-related events and opportunities:
- September’s data and AI symposium — also known as DAISY — featured keynotes by world-renowned speakers from academia and industry, as well as interactive panels, to explore “prescriptive AI.” This concept goes beyond just making predictions to foreseeing strategies to change the odds of future events with the goal of improving health, policy, business and more. Discussions on large language models and chatbots were prominent, along with showcasing next-generation chipsets that UF will soon incorporate into HiPerGator, its supercomputing cluster. Organized jointly by the UF colleges of Public Health and Health Professions, Medicine, Pharmacy and Business, DAISY drew more than 100 participants in person and virtually.
- PHHP marked important AI research milestones with a number of early career and established faculty receiving federal awards for their AI studies. These include Dr. Aprinda Indahlastari Queen, who received an excellent impact score on a NIH NIA K25 grant proposal, Dr. Takis Benos who received an NIH R01, and Dr. Candice Adams-Mitchell, who received an NIH Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity, or AIM-AHEAD, fellowship. Notably, PHHP faculty members have had a 100% success rate with NIH AIM-AHEAD applications, with three being awarded in the past two years.
- PHHP will re-issue another round of the request for applications for the Ph.D. AI fellowships to support students’ research in AI and dissemination.
- The college will launch a new graduate certificate in public health AI in the spring semester. Our current undergraduate certificate in AI in health care and public health has proven so popular that it surpassed its enrollment cap.
- The PHHP AI workgroup is organizing the roster for fall and spring events. These include showcasing UF’s new large language model toolkit NaviGator AI, and welcoming NVIDIA and Amazon delegates, among other partners. Join us on November 15 from 1-2 p.m. in Malachowsky Hall to hear Andy Lin from Mark III discuss the new NVAITC/NVIDIA consulting service available to UF researchers.
- A fascinating documentary created by Shena Hays, PHHP multimedia and video specialist, explores AI’s innovative applications as well as its ethical issues through the perspectives of scholars, students and community members. It has been accepted into the American Public Health Association Film Festival held this month in Minneapolis.
- Finally, join the rest of campus for UF’s AI Days, October 28-30. The event features student competitions, faculty discussions, and workforce readiness workshops hosted by the UF Career Connections Center.
The PHHP AI team looks forward to consolidating our successes and investing in novel endeavors, such as the development of data infrastructure tailored to the college and faculty needs, and the expansion of AI fellowship opportunities for students in professional degree programs. Together, we will continue to strengthen UF’s impact and reputation in the national and international AI landscape.
Mattia Prosperi is the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ associate dean for AI and innovation and a professor in the department of epidemiology.