Exploring Community Solutions Through Artificial Intelligence: A UAA Initiative

Researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) are embarking on an exciting journey to harness artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing community challenges. Led by Kenrick Mock, the Dean of UAA’s College of Engineering, this initiative seeks to identify problems within local communities that can potentially be solved using AI technology.

Casting a Wide Net

Kenrick Mock emphasizes the broad scope of their inquiry, stating, “What we’re doing is we’re asking the community, ‘What kind of problems do you have that potentially could be addressed with AI?’” This inclusiveness encourages diverse voices and perspectives from various sectors, ensuring that a multitude of community needs are considered. The initiative aims to tap into a rich vein of local knowledge, allowing residents to articulate their challenges in their own words.

The Alaska AI Solutions Consortium

This endeavor is part of the Alaska AI Solutions Consortium, a collaborative project funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The consortium encourages businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to team up with faculty members to develop proposals for targeted AI projects. Through these partnerships, researchers aim to fuse academic expertise with real-world issues, creating actionable insights that can benefit Alaskans directly.

The Versatility of AI

One of the key insights shared by Mock is the versatility of AI in addressing a wide range of challenges, especially those involving large datasets. He notes, “The more data that’s available, then the more likely it is we could train some kind of model that could make some interesting inferences.” However, he also highlights that AI can be utilized even in scenarios where data is limited. This flexibility opens the door for creative solutions that may not initially come to mind.

Interest from Social Service Groups

Since announcing the initiative, there has been notable interest from social service organizations. Among the current projects is a collaboration involving UAA Professor Masoumeh Heidari, who is utilizing AI to explore the complex relationship between depression and diabetes among Alaska Native elders. This research is not only relevant but aims to deliver insights that could enhance the well-being of these community members.

Delving into Significant Patterns

Through her work, Heidari has already identified significant patterns linking mental health and physical health. For instance, data from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that individuals reporting poor mental health have less frequent blood glucose monitoring. Understanding these connections is crucial for crafting effective, personalized treatment plans that take into account the unique conditions faced by individuals in Alaska.

Respecting Local Contexts

Heidari emphasizes the importance of making research more locally relevant. She notes that existing data often comes from a national perspective, which may not accurately reflect the unique cultural and environmental factors pertinent to Alaskan communities. By partnering with local organizations, her team aims to gather more relevant insights and domain-specific expertise to improve AI models. This approach ensures that the solutions generated are respectful of and tailored to the community’s needs.

Collaborating with UAA’s AI Experts

For those interested in collaborating with UAA’s AI researchers, Mock encourages individuals and organizations to get in touch with his office. There are numerous avenues for partnership, and the university is eager to engage with community members who have ideas about how AI might be applied. Interested parties can explore UAA’s resources and opportunities specifically designed for community engagement by visiting their website.

In summary, UAA’s initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to community problem-solving. By leveraging the capabilities of AI, researchers hope to create impactful solutions rooted in the input and experiences of Alaskan residents.