The Global Impact Forum showcases ‘importance of collaboration’ in advancing AI for social good

PHILADELPHIA — The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) 2024 highlighted the “importance of collaboration between academia, industry and government in advancing AI for social good,” according to Daren Coudriet, executive director of innovation for Penn State Outreach and the Nittany AI Alliance.

The three-day inaugural Global Silicon Valley x Penn State event explored the positive impacts of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) through education, economic development and innovation. The forum also provided spaces to open conversation about AI ethics and inclusivity.

“Attendees and I learned about the latest trends in AI applications across various sectors, with a focus on using technology to test societal challenges and promote upward social mobility,” Coudriet added.

“The experience I had was insightful,” said Jeff Remington, Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) STEM outreach liaison. “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity for networking and synergy with world-renowned industry experts without coming to The Global Impact Forum. It was also a huge benefit to speak with peers from institutions around the state to hear what they are doing in AI and create those connections.”

Soundar Kumara, Allen E. & Allen M. Pearce Professor of Industrial Engineering and director of Penn State’s Center for Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Industry (AIMI), presented an ignite talk titled “Doing Good with AI: Manufacturing to Workforce Training-Changing the Future of Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises.”

Kumara’s talk noted that small and medium manufacturers (SMMs)— which includes less than 20 people in the enterprise — makes up 98.4% of the approximately 300,000 SMMs in the United States. He spoke about addressing the concerns of these enterprises and coming up with solutions to impact the industrial growth of the U.S.

“The goal of my talk was to speak on the importance of working with small and medium manufacturers and training the workforce in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based solution strategies and getting that information across to industry partners, academia and students,” Kumara said.

Small and medium manufacturers tend to have third and fourth generation workers and they tend to be in rural areas, according to Kumara. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used effectively to diagnose manufacturing problems in real-time.

Kumara is working with Dr. Saurabh Basu, primary investigator and associate professor in the industrial and manufacturing engineering department in the Penn State College of Engineering, on a project related to this that is funded by a PA Manufacturing Innovation Grant through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

Kumara spoke alongside Joseph Yun, research professor at the University of Pittsburgh; Marylyn Ritchie, Edward Rose and Elizabeth Kirk Rose Professor and vice dean of AI and computing at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine; Bo Powers, AI architect at Carnegie Mellon University; and Lilach Mollick, co-director of the Generative AI lab at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business as part of a Pennsylvania Higher Education Collaboration Opportunities panel discussion that was moderated by David Gindhart, associate vice president of business technology solutions at Penn State.

The panelists shared successful examples of inter-disciplinary collaboration in AI and other areas that could be applied to AI. The experts also highlighted areas that have the most potential for cross-university collaborations and innovations in AI and how state universities can leverage their collective strengths to compete globally in AI research.

“Overall, it was a great event,” Kumara said. “I hope that attendees saw that collaboration on AI research and innovation is possible in several key areas including health care, manufacturing and education. I believe that at PSU, we need to bring people together to forge ahead as a team.”

Jeff Remington, Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) outreach liaison, presented “AI Revealed: How Understanding and Convergence Empowers Problem-Solving from the Ordinary to the Remarkable.”

The talk walked through the basics of AI, the implications, how AI works and can be used for efficient workflows and provided insights on how AI can be used as a positive benefit in their work and everyday life. Remington also demonstrated machine learning through Teachable Machine, a web-based tool that was designed for non-experts to create custom machine learning models.

“When educators and people do not understand the technology, they are scared to use it,” Remington said. “When they understand it, they are more likely to interact with the mechanism with less fear. My goal with my talk was to unveil what AI, how it works and how it can be used for good and efficiency.”

Students were also acknowledged in spotlights, sharing their experiences, ideas and innovations with AI.

Amanda J. Smith, director of K12 engagement with Penn State Outreach, lead the High School Student Spotlight, which provided Pennsylvania high school students an opportunity to highlight their innovative projects that solved community problems. There were 45 students from 17 different schools from Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

These Pennsylvania high school students, as well as higher education students representing the Penn State Nittany AI Alliance, had chances to engage with state and global leaders to share their ideas. Stephen Clark, a high school senior, shared his team’s project, “The Soil Recovery Project,” with Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King. The project aims to make sure communities have cleaner and safer soil by testing soil in different areas in Philadelphia for harmful chemicals such as lead, arsenic, PFAS compounds and pesticides.

“I encouraged students to build connections, engage in continuous learning, and pursue growth. By connecting with community leaders and changemakers, sharing their ideas and solutions, and learning from these leaders’ experiences, both the successes and setbacks, they can take something valuable from each encounter. My hope is that they leave inspired to pursue the future they envision, equipped to tackle the grand challenges facing our planet. Our youth hold the keys to a better tomorrow.”

Coudriet moderated a panel of undergraduate students and participated in the Higher Education Student Spotlight.

“The Penn State students on the higher education panel exemplify what’s possible when given the chance to use AI to address real-world challenges,” Coudriet said. “A key connection among them is their involvement with the Nittany AI Alliance, which helps students develop both technical skills and practical experience in AI. These hands-on experiences not only refine their technical expertise but also foster crucial soft skills such as teamwork, client management and problem-solving.”

“These students are doing amazing things,” Remington said. “There were pockets of innovation that we need to expand on throughout the state. I walked away from The Global Impact Forum with an understanding that AI is revolutionizing the world in ways we can’t even imagine. What is particularly relevant is also the marriage of the advancement of technology and unplugged human connections and experiences.”