Pascal Van Hentenryck, the Director of the NSF Artificial Intelligence Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT), headquartered at Georgia Tech, recently delivered a presentation at the HBCU Engineering and Business Deans National Seminar. Hosted by the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative, this event took place on April 19, 2024, at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. It brought together thought leaders from academia, industry, and government to discuss the advancement and empowerment of minority students in science and technology fields.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the seminar, Van Hentenryck was honored with the "Outstanding Presentation on Artificial Intelligence" award. This award not only reflects his expertise and passion for AI but also acknowledges his dedication to fostering collaboration and driving meaningful progress in the ever evolving field.

Van Hentenryck's presentation stood out for its insightful exploration of AI's evolution, its transformative impact on various disciplines, and the vast opportunities it presents. 

He emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between academic institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and his institute in driving innovation and progress in AI.

The seminar's focus on AI and academic administration highlighted the strategic importance of leveraging technology to enhance education and empower students. Van Hentenryck's expertise in AI optimization added depth to the discussions, highlighting strategies for integrating AI into academic settings effectively.

During his presentation, Van Hentenryck covered key topics:

• Brief History of AI: Providing historical perspective on AI's development, highlighting major milestones and breakthroughs that have shaped its current landscape.
• Why AI has Changed: Van Hentenryck discussed the factors driving AI's evolution, including advancements in algorithms, computing power, and data availability, and discussed how these changes have expanded AI's capabilities and applications.
• Opportunities in AI: He talked about the vast opportunities AI offers across various fields, including healthcare and finance to transportation and education.
• Collaboration with HBCUs and MSIs: Van Hentenryck stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between his institute and HBCUs/MSIs, highlighting the mutual benefits of such partnerships in advancing research, education, and diversity in AI.

More about the HBCU/MI Program

The HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative is established to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority institutions to develop a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum that would be particularly relevant in preparing African American and other minority young men and women to: 1. Develop entrepreneurial mindset to become more effective and successful in the corporate world and 2. Become successful entrepreneurs by avoiding and without making costly mistakes. For more information about the seminar and its impact, visit https://hbcumiei.org/.