Florida State University is set to host the 2025 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Expo (AIMLX25) this month, bringing together experts to discuss the innovative uses of cutting-edge technologies in education and how to ensure their ethical application.
The event, presented by FSU’s Interdisciplinary Data Science Master’s Degree Program, will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 28 at the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee. This marks the fifth installment in the annual AIMLX series, and this year’s focus is on the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in enhancing both student academic work and the teaching methods employed by educators.
Attendees of AIMLX25 will have the opportunity to learn about the ways in which AI and machine learning can improve education through hands-on demonstrations and a variety of presentations. Researchers from diverse fields such as educational psychology, education, English, digital learning, and communication and information will share their insights.
“The potential of AI resides in its ability to enhance automation, deliver individualized education and facilitate AI-based grading,” explained Gordon Erlebacher, director of FSU’s Interdisciplinary Data Science Master’s Degree Program and professor of scientific computing. “The challenge comes in integrating these benefits while preserving the human element that AI cannot fully replace. Advancements in different fields such as health care — which was the theme of last year’s event — and education will become increasingly more accessible to the general population as research progresses.”
FSU researchers will present on a range of topics, including best classroom practices and digital learning strategies that equip students for careers in the age of AI. Presenters represent various FSU colleges and departments, encompassing the College of Arts and Sciences; the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences; the Office of Digital Learning and Academic Technologies; and the College of Communication and Information, among others.
“Our future with these technologies is imminent, and if we fail to harness their potential, we risk falling behind,” Erlebacher stated. “AI has already demonstrated its capabilities in developing lesson plans, providing constructive feedback on assignments and other tasks. The potential applications are seemingly limitless, and skills that can be acquired from AI can empower individuals to harness their imagination and accomplish tasks that were once insurmountable just a few years ago.”
One of the featured presentations will be by Associate Professor of English Michael Neal. He will share his research, “Decoupling Generative AI from Plagiarism: Toward a New Model of Authorship and Intellectual Property for Student Writers,” and discuss how current views on AI often unfairly penalize its legitimate uses in an academic setting and beyond.
“It’s important for people to have a healthy balance between skepticism and embracing new technologies,” Neal said. “Open-minded but critical and reflective uses of new technologies can help us integrate them well into educational spaces while considering potential consequences. Many people have strong opinions about AI without understanding it well, so the more voices we have contributing to AI and machine learning development discussions, the better equipped we’ll be to implement it in educational settings while thoughtfully addressing potential societal impacts.”
The expo will feature Fengfeng Ke, Clark Leadership Chair Professor of the College of Education at the University of Maryland, as the keynote speaker. Her address, titled “Learner Modeling in AI-Powered Simulations,” will discuss her research on the design of personalized technology learning systems, such as games and simulations used in math and science classrooms.
Erlebacher emphasized the potential impact of these advancements: “The potential benefits of these technologies in society, particularly in health and education, are immeasurable within the next few years. We are witnessing history unfold in real time.”
For detailed information, including the full schedule of presentations, event specifics, presenter details, and more, visit datascience.fsu.edu/event/aimlx25.
AIMLX25 is sponsored by a wide range of FSU departments, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Communication and Information, the School of Information, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Scientific Computing, the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, the Department of Statistics, and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.
