A Global AI Collaboration

The C. T. Bauer College of Business and the University of Houston’s Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) recently welcomed colleagues from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) University Leadership Council (ULC), Abu Dhabi University and the UAE Ministry of Education to establish a collaboration built on discovery and mutual learning.

Bauer College staff, faculty and administration stand with UAE delegates.

Bauer College staff, faculty and administration stand with UAE delegates.

In addition to site visits across campus, the delegation had the opportunity to meet and discuss future endeavors with Bauer leadership and learn more about the interdisciplinary research of the college’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Bauer Dean Xianjun Geng said that he was excited to connect with the UAE to further establish the college as a globally recognized business school.

“Houston is home to people from all different backgrounds,” he said. “With the University being at the heart of the city, our college should reflect that. We embrace all our students and all different methods of thinking.”

He added that experiential learning is one of the things that defines Bauer, and with the college centralized in a global hub, the possibilities for learning and expanding a student’s point of view are limitless.

Delegates from the UAE shared that they were impressed by the energy, entrepreneurship and healthcare sectors of Houston and Bauer. They expressed an interest in the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship and in adapting similar teaching models in their universities.

Healthcare Business Institute Research Director Ravi Aron

Healthcare Business Institute Research Director Ravi Aron

Additionally, delegates showed an interest in the shift to AI in the healthcare sector. This is an initiative that Bauer has been working toward with the Healthcare Business Institute, Research Director Ravi Aron said.

He added that with the college being situated at the doorstep of the world’s most comprehensive healthcare ecosystem, they are more than prepared and willing to partner with UAE in their efforts to expand healthcare to AI.

“The Healthcare Business Institute at Bauer College brings together members from all across the healthcare ecosystem: a collection of hospitals, research scientists, technology firms, venture capital partners and the Texas Medical Center,” Aron said. “We offer an unbeatable combination of knowledge, research capabilities, economic and financial perspective.”

In addition to AI in healthcare, delegates also had the chance to visit the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute and meet with its founding director and C. T. Bauer Chair of AI Meng Li.

Li, as well as other scholars across Bauer and UH, presented AI initiatives that are being implemented within institutions and industries to UAE delegates.

The idea that led the discussion was spoken by UH Engineering Management Program Director Matthew Hu, who asked the question, “How does AI drive efficiency?”

Co-Director of the Bauer AI institute Dorothy Lianlian Jiang shared their institute’s mission and ways that they develop courses that prepares students for the challenges of AI and collaborate with local communities in Houston for experiential learning opportunities.

“Students are using real world data to handle real world challenges,” she said.

Li said that while the AI institute was developed for Bauer, they do seek to collaborate with other UH colleges so that more students, faculty and staff can benefit from their research.

“We are always open to any collaboration, with UAE and even locally,” he said. “(The AI institute) wants to understand our limitations and also know what kind of resources we bring to UH. It’s a balance.”

The research that their faculty are actively working on focuses on ways to use AI responsibly and how it impacts daily lives.

Li said that while the AI institute was developed for Bauer, they do seek to collaborate with other UH colleges so that more students, faculty and staff can benefit from their research.

“We are always open to any collaboration, with UAE and even locally,” he said. “(The AI institute) wants to understand our limitations and also know what kind of resources we bring to UH. It’s a balance.”

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute founding director and C. T. Bauer Chair of AI Meng Li

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute founding director and C. T. Bauer Chair of AI Meng Li

Bauer College Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute Co-Director Dorothy Lianlian Jiang

Bauer College Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute Co-Director Dorothy Lianlian Jiang

Bauer Assistant Dean of Global and Strategic Initiatives Nikhil Celly

Bauer Assistant Dean of Global and Strategic Initiatives Nikhil Celly

Bauer Assistant Dean of Global and Strategic Initiatives Nikhil Celly said that a partnership with UAE would be beneficial for both in many ways — it would allow for advancements in research, knowledge and teaching.

Celly added that with UAE being a country taking a lead in AI research, they hope to collaborate in developing joint programs to expand research and students’ knowledge.

“I think the big thing with AI is that it’s so groundbreaking,” Celly said. “We’re just at the initial stages of it, and that truly calls for a collaborative effort. We’re delighted to host the UAE and explore opportunities with them.”

Learn more about the research being done at the Bauer Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute.