Custom AI Bots for Innovation, Research, and Interdisciplinary Learning
Presenter: Dr. Mohammad Azhar
Host: Casandra Silva Sibilin
About the presenter:
Dr. Azhar serves as a Professor of Computer Information Systems at City University of New York (CUNY) and holds the role of Director for the AI Innovation Hub Project. His scholarly efforts, supported by the NSF, DOE, Google, and IBM, concentrate on advancing AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and creative STEM education. He spearheads cross-disciplinary AI programs designed to improve AI literacy, professional growth, and experiential training for both scholars and educators. By combining research with corporate alliances and public outreach, he advocates for responsible, person-focused AI applications across the educational landscape and general society.
About the session:
This presentation highlights how students from STEM and non-STEM disciplines were challenged to design and develop Custom AI Bots through AI Innovation Challenges, research projects, hackathons, and experiential learning programs. Students from areas including computer science, business, healthcare, education, arts, social sciences, and communications collaborated to create AI-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges in education, accessibility, mental health, cybersecurity, community engagement, and workforce development.
The session will showcase how custom bots empowered students from all majors to apply creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and domain expertise while learning practical AI skills. Examples of student-developed AI bots created during innovation challenges, AI “Sprinternships,” and interdisciplinary research initiatives will demonstrate how AI can support diverse academic and professional fields.
The presentation also explores strategies for building inclusive AI learning ecosystems, mentoring interdisciplinary student teams, and fostering ethical, human-centered AI innovation. Emphasis will be placed on how custom AI bots can democratize AI literacy, strengthen workforce readiness, and encourage collaboration across all academic disciplines and community sectors.
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About the series:
Custom Bots/GPTs is a subgroup of AI in Education, a global group for sharing resources and information related to the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching and learning. Each month the subgroup meets to share strategies, network, and showcase educators doing innovative work with custom bots, GPTs, and apps. For more information and resources, visit edushare.ing/bots.