AI Lunch + Learn: Reimagining Learning, Innovation, and Engineering Practice in the Age of AI
Please join the Center for Community-Engaged Artificial Intelligence (CEAI) and Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science (CAIDS) for the next "Lunch and Learn" seminar exploring the effects of AI and data on society. Ibrahim Demir, Tulane University's Michael A. Fitts Presidential Chair in Environmental Informatics and Artificial Intelligence, Professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering, and a core member of the Bywater Institute, will deliver a talk: Reimagining Learning, Innovation, and Engineering Practice in the Age of AI.
Abstract: This talk explores the profound transformation that Artificial Intelligence—especially Agentic AI and Interactive Autonomous Cyber Workflows—is bringing to engineering practice, university education, and research. As Autonomous AI agents have already begun to reshape professional engineering workflows, we consider how similar paradigm shifts will influence broader engineering and scientific domains. The talk highlights how agentic AI enables autonomous exploration, simulation, and decision-making, fundamentally altering the expectations for human expertise, collaboration, and ethical responsibility within the profession. Turning to the university setting, we discuss how education and research are being reimagined: interactive, data-driven digital twins and immersive AI systems are empowering students and researchers to engage in dynamic, real-world problem solving, foster creativity, and collaborate across disciplines in ways previously impossible. We outline how agentic AI is poised to automate repetitive tasks, facilitate personalized and adaptive learning pathways, and drive innovation through autonomous research agents and cyber workflows. Through concrete examples and forward-looking scenarios, we envision a future where universities serve as testbeds for ethical and socially responsible uses of AI, and professional engineering standards evolve to harness these technologies for societal benefit.
Bio: Ibrahim Demir is the Michael A. Fitts Presidential Chair in Environmental Informatics and Artificial Intelligence at Tulane University, Professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering, and a core member of the Tulane ByWater Institute. Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and data science, Professor Demir develops innovative environmental information systems, notably creating AI-assisted early warning systems and digital twins for disasters. His pioneering research is widely recognized through 220 peer-reviewed publications. He leads the Hydroinformatics Lab, focusing on intelligent disaster analytics systems and augmented and virtual reality applications for environmental monitoring. In addition, Professor Demir serves as the Chair of the International Joint Committee on Hydroinformatics (IAHR/IWA).
Event Accessibility: The Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC) is an accessible building with push-button access. This seminar takes place on the second floor of the LBC in Room 210 (McKeever Room). Enter the LBC at the East Entrance on McAlister Drive. An elevator, located directly to the right, will take you to the second floor. Tulane University is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact Meg Keenan at mkeenan@tulane.edu or 504-862-8381 for other accessibility accommodations. Please note that advance notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs.
