The 2025 NSF ExpandAI ARISE Meeting convened leading researchers and educators from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and Georgia Tech’s AI4OPT initiative. The goal was to strengthen academic-industry collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) applications for optimization, sustainability and education.

The event combined facility tours, research presentations and forward-looking planning sessions focused on NSF’s ExpandAI and ARISE (AI Research in Science and Engineering) program goals.

Networking, Tours and Research Highlights

The day opened with breakfast and introductions, fostering informal networking among faculty, students and visiting researchers. Attendees toured UTRGV facilities central to ARISE projects, highlighting laboratories, data-driven infrastructure and ongoing student research in machine learning and applied AI.

After a short break, the first session of faculty and student presentations showcased current AI-related research. Projects covered predictive modeling, intelligent systems and regionally focused applications in energy, agriculture and public safety.

Advancing AI Education and Collaboration

During lunch, Nagi Gebraeel of Georgia Tech delivered a keynote presentation outlining AI4OPT’s mission to advance operational AI through interdisciplinary collaboration. His talk emphasized scalable, data-driven optimization methods and the importance of expanding AI education to underrepresented communities, aligning with NSF’s broader inclusion objectives.

Research Exchange and Strategic Planning

The second round of faculty and student presentations continued to highlight UTRGV’s innovative work in AI applications. These discussions promoted idea exchange and potential project synergies between institutions.

A final planning meeting focused on establishing a three-year collaboration roadmap between UTRGV and AI4OPT, identifying shared research priorities, funding pathways and student engagement mechanisms.

Conclusion

The meeting successfully advanced dialogue on AI-driven research and education partnerships between UTRGV and Georgia Tech. Key outcomes included commitments to collaborative proposal development, enhanced student exchange opportunities and shared use of AI facilities to support regional innovation and workforce development.