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University of Iowa Hosts Artificial Intelligence Lightning Talks
Faculty showcase how they are using AI to advance research across disciplines
Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:00pm
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The University of Iowa is hosting a special edition of its AI Lightning Talks series on Thursday, March 12, featuring faculty from various departments who will present short talks on how they are using artificial intelligence to drive research in their fields. The event is part of the university's ongoing efforts to spotlight the innovative ways its researchers are leveraging AI to make new discoveries and solve complex problems.
Why it matters
As AI continues to transform the research landscape, this event provides a valuable opportunity for the university community to learn about the diverse applications of this transformative technology across disciplines, from business and social work to engineering and medicine. By sharing their experiences, the faculty presenters aim to inspire and empower others to explore the potential of AI in their own research workflows.
The details
The AI Lightning Talks will feature presentations from five University of Iowa faculty members: Soogand Alavi (Tippie College of Business), Ken Nepple (Urology), Aislinn Conrad (Social Work), HS Udaykumar (Mechanical Engineering), and Tori Forbes (Civil and Environmental Engineering). Each speaker will deliver a short, high-impact talk highlighting how they are leveraging AI to advance their research in meaningful ways.
- The AI Lightning Talks event will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 1 to 2 p.m. via Teams.
The players
Soogand Alavi
Assistant Professor in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.
Ken Nepple
Clinical Professor of Urology at the University of Iowa.
Aislinn Conrad
Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Iowa.
HS Udaykumar
Roy J. Carver Professor of Engineering and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty in the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa.
Tori Forbes
Professor (Secondary Appointment) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Materials Analysis, Testing, and Fabrication (MATFab) Facility at the University of Iowa.
What’s next
For recordings of past AI Lightning Talks and information on AI tools, guidance, training, policies, and committees, visit the AI hub on the ITS website its-aisupportteam@uiowa.edu.
The takeaway
This event showcases the University of Iowa's commitment to exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across diverse research areas, empowering faculty to share their innovative approaches and inspiring others to incorporate AI into their own workflows.
