At UIS, I have been deeply involved in advancing AI initiatives through various roles, including the proposal and leadership of the AI Steering Committee. Through this committee, I have driven the development of key AI resources, such as the AI Research Library, AI Prompt Library, and AI Resource Library, while promoting AI education, events, and governance. Additionally, I have contributed to the implementation of AI-driven solutions, including chatbots and business intelligence tools, to support data-driven decision-making. This page provides an overview of my contributions to AI at UIS, highlighting my work in AI development, governance, and research.
Explore the comprehensive AI Steering Committee report created to showcase the work of the AI Steering Committee at UIS. Developed to highlight strategic initiatives, policy advancements, and ongoing projects, the report provides a detailed look at how the committee is driving responsible and innovative AI integration across the university. It also includes thoughtful recommendations to campus leadership, guiding the university toward impactful AI strategies that enhance education, research, and community engagement. This report serves as a key resource for understanding how UIS is shaping the future of AI and positioning itself as a leader in this transformative field.
The AI at UIS website was developed to centralize and showcase the university’s AI initiatives, serving as a hub for students, faculty, and the community to explore resources and advancements in artificial intelligence. It highlights essential resources like the AI Research Library, Prompt Library, and Resource Library, supporting innovation and learning across campus. Additionally, the website promotes AI-related events, courses, and news, reflecting UIS’s commitment to advancing technology. By developing this platform, I helped the university establish a digital space that aligns with its strategic vision for AI, fostering collaboration, engagement, and responsible AI use.
The AI Prompt Library at UIS is a curated collection of carefully crafted prompts designed to help students, faculty, and researchers maximize the potential of GenAI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Sora, Stable Video, etc. This library serves as a valuable resource by offering prompt engineering examples that can guide users in generating high-quality content, conducting analysis, and solving complex problems. By providing example prompts, the AI Prompt Library supports learning, research, and innovation, helping the UIS community and beyond unlock the full capabilities of GenAI tools.
I have actively contributed to AI development by creating and testing various AI solutions, including developing chatbots using tools like Microsoft Copilot, the OpenAI API, and frameworks such as Open WebUI, which enable integration with multiple models. Additionally, my office has deployed business intelligence software that leverages AI and Machine Learning (ML) to aggregate and analyze data from different campus units, helping UIS leadership make more informed, data-driven decisions. I have also worked on integrating AI into existing systems to improve processes and enhance user experience. This hands-on experience has allowed me to explore the practical applications of AI in real-world settings, driving innovation and creating meaningful solutions that benefit the campus community.
This webinar was part of a professional development series hosted by UIS Human Resources, aimed at enhancing employee skills. I was invited to create and deliver this session, training campus employees on how AI can boost workplace efficiency. The webinar covered practical tools and techniques for automating tasks, solving problems, and improving workflows, equipping attendees with actionable AI solutions and strategies for adopting new technology effectively.
The AI at UIS newsletter was developed to keep the campus community informed and engaged with the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. Designed and created to highlight important news, upcoming AI events, and valuable resources, the newsletter serves as a dynamic platform to promote AI initiatives at UIS. By curating relevant and impactful content, it ensures that students, faculty, and staff stay connected to the exciting opportunities and developments in the AI landscape.
The AI Research Library at UIS was developed to spotlight the diverse AI research happening across campus. This resource showcases the innovative work of faculty, students, and staff, fostering collaboration and promoting awareness of ongoing projects. By highlighting these efforts, the library positions UIS as a hub for AI research and opens doors to potential grants and funding opportunities, further advancing the university's role in the AI landscape.
In this interview with Neetu Singh, a faculty member from the Management Information Systems department, I discuss my work with AI at UIS and within the Office of Web & Digital Strategy. The conversation highlights ongoing AI initiatives, including innovative projects with students, and showcases how we are leveraging AI to enhance education, improve university operations, and foster a culture of innovation on campus.
Application of Generative AI (GenAI) Integration in Business Education: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
As part of an international research team, including collaborators from Poland and Brazil, I am contributing to this groundbreaking study. Our research examines how educators and students from diverse cultural backgrounds engage with GenAI tools, offering insights into its global potential and challenges. By exploring innovative strategies for integrating AI into education, the team aims to promote inclusivity and enhance learning outcomes in a rapidly evolving academic landscape. Research will be completed by Dec. 2025.
Unveiling AI's Existential Threats and Societal Responsibilities
Published in the Polish journal of Philosphy and Science, Philosophical and Interdisciplinary Studies. Volume 11, 2023. The paper discusses the dual nature of AI as both an opportunity and a challenge, emphasizing the importance of transparency and open-source approaches to ensure ethical innovation. It highlights the need for collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers to address AI's complexities and mitigate risks such as weaponization, exploitation, and job displacement.
iLogin and IDES Chat Development - From 2020 to 2021, I worked as a UI/UX Design Consultant for the State of Illinois Department of Information Technology (DOIT). In this capacity, I contributed to the development and technical documentation of an AI chatbot for the iLogin and IDES unemployment websites, utilizing Dialogflow. My role encompassed conducting iterative testing, implementing updates to improve usability, and ensuring the chatbot provided accurate and user-friendly responses. Additionally, I designed and implemented enhanced functionality, such as guided conversations using interactive clickable cards, to streamline and support user interactions effectively.
MyLifeBot - For my Master’s Capstone project in 2019, I created MyLifeBot, featuring an AI chatbot named "Turi" as a tribute to Alan Turing. Turi was designed to engage teens and young adults in meaningful conversations about mental health, personal growth, and addiction. Acting as a virtual wellness coach, Turi provides motivation and guidance to help users make positive life choices, continuously improving through each interaction. I developed the chatbot using Dialogflow and integrated it seamlessly into a Drupal site.
Chat Facebook Campaign - At Millikin University in 2019, I integrated a chatbot into the alumni Facebook page to enhance engagement and digital communication. These campaigns achieved impressive results, including an 86% open rate and a 38% conversion rate, demonstrating the power of conversational AI in fostering meaningful connections and driving user interaction.
MyLifeBot Chat Turi