Seminar by Dr. Venu Govindaraju
Dr. Venu Govindaraju is an AI pioneer in the area of machine learning and handwriting recognition. He is serving as the principle investigator of the national AI research institute on exceptional education and is also the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at SUNY Buffalo. 
 

Presentation title: “Research and Economic Development at the University at Buffalo”

Abstract:

As Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Dr. Govindaraju oversees the University at Buffalo’s diverse and broad-reaching research enterprise as well as the institution’s industry engagement. 

The university’s research program has launched a number of new opportunity areas, which Dr. Govindaraju will speak to. Among them includes a multi-million dollar, university-funded investment in high-end, cutting-edge equipment for use by researchers across campus. As well, a re-emphasized focus on the ever-strengthening international partnerships which focus on critical and emerging technology as well as collaboration within higher education. UB is home to “Communities of Excellence” – which aligns interdisciplinary teams of faculty, students and practitioners in diverse fields using research, education and engagement activities to create integrated solutions to issues – such as sustainable manufacturing and global health inequities. As well, Dr. Govindaraju launched the Buffalo Blue Sky program to provide funding for high-impact research that is structured to encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships to address “grand challenge” problems that are too complex for a single disciplinary approach.

A computer scientist, researcher and AI and machine learning expert, Dr. Govindaraju also will highlight UB’s recently created National AI Institute for Exceptional Education – funded by a $20M grant from the National Science Foundation and Institute of Education Sciences – for which he is PI and Director. Leaning into the positive impact pioneering AI can have on social good, the institute brings together the work of top-tier research scientists from nine institutions to address – drawing on AI as a key tool –the national shortage of speech-language pathologists. Dr. Govindaraju will share how the University at Buffalo, which is serving as the lead institution on the initiative, is elevating and prioritizing the work and future ambitions and opportunities of AI. Too, how the institute can serve as a model for cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional partnerships.

 
 
The NSF and IES AI Institute for Transforming Education for Children with Speech and Language Processing Challenges (or National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, in short) aims to close this gap by developing advanced AI technologies to scale SLPs’ availability and services such that no child in need of speech and language services is left behind. Towards this end, the Institute proposes to develop two novel AI solutions: (1) the AI Screener to enable universal early screening for all children, and (2) the AI Orchestrator to work with SLPs and teachers to provide individualized interventions for children with their formal Individualized Education Program (IEP).  In developing these solutions, the Institute will advance foundational AI technologies, enhance our understanding of children’s speech and language development, serve as a nexus point for all special education stakeholders, and represent a fundamental paradigm shift in how SLPs serve children in need of ability-based speech and language services.
Venu Govindaraju
Start date
Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, 10:15 a.m.
End date
Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, 11:15 a.m.
Location
McNamara Room 235 (2nd floor)

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