On May 29, 2024, Chief Information Officer Ben Maddox is hosting a free, all-day symposium where faculty, staff, researchers, and students from the New York campuses can share ideas for using artificial intelligence tools in teaching, learning, research, and daily tasks. In addition to engaging keynote speakers, local colleagues will present posters and lead breakout sessions to showcase how they are implementing these tools or exploring applications for AI in their teams and responsibilities.

This page displaying full agenda details acts as a supplement to the event page, where you can register to attend the symposium. In-person registration is closed, but we still have some empty spots in the online audience. Registration for online participation ends at noon ET on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Full Agenda

May 29, 2024, 9:30am-4:00pm Eastern Daylight Time

In-person at Statler Hall and online via Zoom

See the event page for general details. Zoom links will be provided via email by May 28.

• 9:30am – Mingle, sign-in, coffee - The Park Atrium (beverages and snacks will be refreshed throughout the event, until 5pm)
• 10am – Opening remarks and introduction by Ben Maddox - Statler Auditorium
• 10:15am – Keynote Speaker Kavita Bala - Statler Auditorium
• 11:30am – Lunch and Poster Sessions - The Park Atrium; each in-person poster presenter will also cycle through the online audience Zoom room so everyone has a chance to hear and discuss their content.
• 1:00pm – Keynote Speaker Clay Shirky - Statler Auditorium
• 2:10pm - Remarks and Afternoon Updates by Ben Maddox - Statler Auditorium
• 2:30-3:10pm and 3:20-4pm – Break-out Sessions; all sessions will be accessible to both in person and online participants. Locations included with break-out session descriptions below.
• 4:00-5:00pm – Informal Gathering  - The Park Atrium

Host and Keynote Presenter Backgrounds

• Ben Maddox - Chief Information Officer for Cornell's Ithaca campus and Cornell Tech, Maddox earned his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, his M.A. in education and cognitive science from New York University, and his B.A. in political science from Baylor University. In addition to his role at Cornell, he is also an adjunct instructor and doctoral advisor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. His academic work focuses on intersections of systems: people, organizations, and technology --particularly how technology, innovation, leadership, and learning fuel change. Prior to his role at Cornell, Maddox was serving as NYU's chief academic technology officer, capping off his 13 years in leadership roles for NYU's New York and Abu Dhabi campuses.
• Kavita Bala - Dean of Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and Professor of Computer Science. In January 2024, Bala delivered the keynote address opening a Harvard/MIT Symposium on the impact on education of generative AI (GAI). A question-and-answer session follows Bala’s keynote presentation. Read more about Bala's keynote address in the IT@Cornell news story.
• Clay Shirky - NYU’s Vice Provost for AI and Technology in Education as well as an American writer, consultant, and teacher on the social and economic effects of Internet technologies. A question-and-answer session follows Shirky’s keynote presentation. Read more about Shirky's keynote address in the IT@Cornell news story.

Poster Descriptions

Each in-person poster presenter will also cycle through the online audience Zoom room so everyone has a chance to hear and discuss their content. Please be mindful of the presenters' adherence to the schedule; our timeline is very tight and they are sharing posters both in person and rotating through the Zoom room.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education - Doug Cohen, Weill Cornell Medicine, Educational Computing (offered online only)
  • Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is likely to have a profound impact on education. This poster session will focus on a variety of use cases for how AI might be used across the educational environment, as well as highlighting ethical and policy considerations surrounding its use.
• Center for Advanced Computing Services: Empowering Researchers to Tackle Complex AI/ML and Data-Intensive Computing Challenges - Richard Knepper, Cornell Center for Advanced Computing
  • Description: AI/ML computing and consulting support services available to Cornell faculty,  students, and staff and project examples.
• Graduate Writers, Generative AI, and the English Language Support Office - Michelle Crow and Melissa Myers, Cornell College of Arts & Sciences, English Language Support Office, Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines
  • Description: For the past year, the English Language Support Office (ELSO) has been exploring the ethics and effectiveness of the use of generative AI by international graduate and professional students for academic writing. During this poster presentation, we will share what we have learned and how our program has responded, as well as resources we developed to assist graduate writers and their faculty as they navigate these new technologies.
• Advancements in Computing Resources for Cornell Social Science Researchers - Cassian D'Cunha and Jacob Grippin, Cornell Center for Social Sciences
  • Description: Learn about the more robust cloud environment rolled out in 2023 for easier use and flexible options tied to your research needs. Hear about advanced options being designed in the cloud for work with research data requiring dedicated restricted environments.
• One-touch login with Secure Connect - Dan Villanti, Cornell IT Security Office
  • Description: Tired of entering passwords and reaching for your phone to log in with your Cornell NetID? Learn about a new way to log in with a touch or a smile.
• BALM - Building Automation Language Model - Joel Bender and Laurie Collinsworth, Cornell IT Infrastructure, and Samuel Fairchild, Cornell Facilities and Campus Services' Network Engineering
  • Description: BALM is a specialized language model for querying RDF knowledge graphs using SPARQL, akin to text-to-SQL applications. The graph comprises static physical/logical topology data, near real-time values of HVAC key performance indicators, and selected trend data. It supports Cornell University's aim to reduce utility costs and carbon footprint.
• Augmented Reality and 3D-printed Models of Clinical Linear Accelerators for Training and Education - Sungho Synn (graduate researcher and Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design candidate) and Farzin Lotfi-Zam, Cornell College of Architecture and Art Planning
  • Description: An augmented reality model of a linear accelerator, accessible via QR code and smartphone, has been developed to facilitate medical physics and radiation oncology training, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries. Key components are precisely modeled for 3D printing, allowing for hands-on educational engagement and detailed spatial exploration of the accelerator's elements.

Breakout Session Descriptions

All sessions will be accessible to both in-person and online participants. Please be mindful of the ending times for each session; we are on a very tight timeline.

2:30-3:10pm Sessions

• Introducing Messy, Divisive, and Transformational Technology at Cornell: Tales from the Classroom - Statler Auditorium
  • Facilitators:
    • Rob Vanderlan, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation, Executive Director
    • Amy Cheatle, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation, Instructional Designer
    • Becky Lane, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation, Associate Director for Learning Technologies
  • Abstract: This session explores the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating generative AI technologies into teaching environments at Cornell. 
• Generative AI for Internal Documentation Search with Provenance - Room 165
  • Facilitator: Jason Woodward, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  • Abstract: We’ll present on our successes and failures exploring emerging technology to help us find deeply buried valuable documentation in a sea of unstructured documents. Come take part in this interactive discussion so we can hear what has and hasn’t worked for you, and to brainstorm on future explorations.
• Bring Your Computer and Be the Copilot - Room 265
  • Facilitators: 
    • Laurie Hemmings, Cornell IT, Communications and Documentation Assistant Director
    • Shelley Stuart, Cornell IT, Communications Professional
    • Carlyn Chatfield, Cornell IT, Technical Communicator

  • Abstract: Now that you’ve heard about Generative AI, try your hand at it! This prompt-a-thon session will give you the opportunity to explore Microsoft Copilot Enterprise, available on most web browsers. You’ll start with a topic and a goal for a creative, no-risk entrée to learning how to interact with Copilot, then share experiences with all participants at the end.

  • New to writing prompts or uncertain about participating? Explore examples in the Prompt Library created by one of the facilitators.

• Connect360 - Room 198
  • Facilitators:

    • Laura Landphair, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

    • Derek Messie, Cornell IT Enterprise Service

  • Abstract: The Connect360 initiative at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business was launched to streamline their data analytics environment. This project was a collaboration between the SC Johnson College IT and CIT, merging a vast array of skills such as business expertise, project management, UX experience, data analysis and modeling, and infrastructure expertise. Their objective was to consolidate data from multiple sources into a real-time dashboard, thereby enhancing decision-making capabilities for college leaders. The partnership also resulted in the creation of a resource planning dashboard designed to manage course demand and faculty availability. The successful collaboration has set the stage for more joint projects in the future.

• Navigating the AI Code Jungle: Pros and Cons of AI-Assisted Software Development - Room 196
  • Guides: 
    • Phil Robinson (Primary Facilitator), Cornell University Library IT, Director of Software Development
    • Sarah Chintomby, Cornell University Library IT, Application Developer
    • Shinwoo Kim, Cornell University Library IT, Digital Preservation Technical Lead and Application Developer
    • Matt Connolly, Cornell University Library IT, Full Stack Applications Developer
    • Scott Ross, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine IT, Assistant Director
    • Fermin Romero, Cornell Office of Student and Campus Life, IT Infrastructure and Application Development Manager
    • Phil Williammee, Cornell Office of Student and Campus Life, Senior Applications Programmer
  • Abstract: This session will explore how Cornell IT professionals are leveraging AI tools to learn programming languages, troubleshoot code, automate workflows, and improve testing, security, accessibility, and UI/UX features.
    • Lightning rounds by several Cornell IT units will discuss the pros and cons of AI coding assistance tools such as GitHub Copilot, Devin, Microsoft Copilot Enterprise, ChatGPT, and AWS AI features.
    • Are there other tools on the horizon that show promise? Such as AskCodi, Codiga, others?

3:20-4pm Sessions

• So You've Got a New Hammer - Statler Auditorium
  • Facilitators:
    • Dan Villanti, Cornell IT Security Office, IT Security Solutions Architect
    • Meryl Bursic, Cornell IT Security Office, Senior IT Security Engineer
  • Abstract: When you have an exciting new tool in your kit, it's tempting to use it on just about everything. Join us for a practical discussion on how to balance enthusiasm for generative AI while discerning responsible and appropriate use.
• Chatbots/LLMs for Promoting Learning - Room 165
  • Facilitators:
    • Toby Ault, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Associate Professor
    • Marty Sullivan, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, PhD student and DevOps Engineer
  • Abstract: This session will showcase (Codename) Ezra.ai, an AI-powered teaching and learning tool that we developed as a "Proof of Concept" with the ProServe team at AWS. The tool is intended to integrate with learning management systems like Canvas and utilizes natural language processing (via large language models) to generate question banks covering course materials and approved academic sources. Attendees will see how students can use tools like Ezra.ai to take personalized quizzes and receive formative feedback through interactive concept queries evaluated by Ezra.ai, all using well-known teaching concepts like Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Socratic Method. After demonstrating how the tool enhances engagement and self-directed learning, the session will walk through other AI classroom tools and we will conduct a series of live demos based on participant suggestion and feedback, enabling participants to envision implementing AI to transform instructional experiences and bring up their own thoughts about AI in the classroom.
• AI Experiments for Administrative Staff: Handling Confidential Data - Room 265
  • Facilitators:
    • Zach Jacques, Cornell Research Administration Information Services, Director
    • Ayham Boucher, Cornell Research Administration Information Services, Lead Data Engineer
  • Abstract: We will discuss our early experiments in using Generative AI to assist administrative staff with their workloads while handling confidential data. This session will include practical case studies using a secure private chat tool to demonstrate Generative AI's capabilities and its potential benefits for the administrative workflows.
• Teaching Critical Thinking at a Time when GAI can Produce Easy Answers: Instructional Strategies to Foster Core Skills  - Room 198
  • Facilitators:
    • Amie Patchen, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Lecturer
    • Kim Scholl, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Public Health Program, Writing and Academic Support Specialist

  • Abstract: This presentation will include an overview of challenges generative artificial intelligence (GAI) poses to teaching critical thinking, an example of a core critical thinking skill and instructional strategy from the field of Public Health, and breakout groups to brainstorm core skills and instructional strategies from other fields. The goal will be to spark and share ideas that can be used across courses.

Parking

Audience members who registered in person will receive parking information in their confirmation email. Frequent visitors may already be using the ParkMobile app.