Our Approach to ArtificiaI Intelligence at CIRAS

Written by Mike O’Donnell, CIRAS Director

Progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) was probably the number one topic in the business world in 2023. As we move into 2024, the big question seems to be: now what?

CIRAS is approaching AI just like all other technologies: as an enabler of solutions. We help Iowa industry solve your toughest challenges, applying technology when it provides a solution that best meets the near-term and long-term needs of the company.

Because AI is so complex, has so many applications, and so many unanswered questions, we’re going to share our learning process publicly so that you can learn with us at the speed of technology. As we go through 2024, we’ll provide updates and insights into our successes and failures.

Here are some of the things we are working on:

  • Named Kirk Haaland as the CIRAS lead for AI.
  • Conducted an internal survey of what people on our team use AI for in December. We’ll be sharing the results shortly.
  • Developing an internal policy on how we’ll use AI.
  • Testing text modeling and custom Large Language Models to better understand technology deployments from a series of assessments we conducted from 2021-2023.
  • Launching The AI Series to help you navigate the future of work with short webinars highlighting tools and applications.
  • Launched an AI in Marketing working group. With over 40 members, Iowa businesses are collaborating to learn AI tools together. Want more information? Contact Paul Gormley.

Note: AI was not used in generating this content. Expect us to be using AI as a support tool more often.

For more information, contact Mike O’Donnell, Director, CIRAS, modonnll@iastate.edu