Keeping up with AI: U of A students tap into new tools of the tech trade
University of Arizona students are revolutionizing technology through the AI Core Program, a workforce initiative paying participants to develop AI solutions. Leveraging AI and VR, students are optimizing retail spaces and analyzing consumer behavior with projects like the “digital twin” of the Lundgren Consumer Science Lab.
“This is a space where consumer science students can research how behavior changes with space configurations,” said Taoseef Aziz, a program participant. The lab features an AI Assistant, Andres, for customer interactions and cameras for real-time data analytics.
Despite AI’s risks, such as overreliance, Ash Black, Director of AI Core, encourages students to embrace its potential. “Telling students not to use AI is nuts—it’s so powerful,” he said.
Open to all majors, the AI Core Program hires students who complete its course. Interested students can explore opportunities through the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program and AI and Extended Reality (XR) websites.