AI Research Council to provide guidance on the use of AI for UNC Charlotte’s research community

February 6, 2025
Categories: Faculty/Staff

The Division of Research announces the launch of UNC Charlotte’s AI Research Council. Its work will center on evaluating and, where determined necessary, strengthening the University’s research infrastructure to support the use of artificial intelligence in all forms of research.

The AI Research Council is co-chaired by Ray Hartsfield, research integrity specialist with the Division of Research, and Lisa Rasmussen, professor of philosophy in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. The council will:

  • Establish a framework for the ethical and responsible use of AI tools in research and innovation
  • Review current research policies and procedures to evaluate for adjustments to incorporate AI 
  • Identify gaps in policy to determine where new policy can be created  
  • Provide ongoing guidance on the use of AI for research

“Because of the enormous potential of artificial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of scientific inquiry and lead to new discoveries, it is incumbent upon the University to assure we are using AI for research in all disciplines properly and ethically,” said Thomas. “The members of the AI Research Council are uniquely qualified, due to their singular and collective AI expertise, to make recommendations that support a top-tier research environment.”

The AI Research Council includes key research representatives from every academic college, the Division of Research and the Office of Legal Affairs. Members are: 

Isabel Alele, associate general counsel and Adrienne Merriott, assistant general counsel, Office of Legal Affairs; Dace Brown, assistant professor of gerontology and Abbey Fenwick, associate professor of applied physiology, health and clinical sciences, College of Health and Human Services; Bei-Tseng (Bill) Chu, professor of software and information systems and Pu Wang, associate professor of computer science, College of Computing and Informatics; Craig Depken II, professor of economics and Selcuk Karahan and Taichun Piao, both clinical assistant professors of finance, Belk College of Business; Sabri Gökmen, assistant professor of architecture, College of Arts + Architecture; Ray Hartsfield, digital integrity specialist, Division of Research; Donald Jacobs, professor of applied physics and Taufiquar Khan, professor of mathematics and statistics, Klein College of Science; Hedda Meadan-Kaplansky, Snyder Distinguished Professor, Department of Special Education and Child Development and Ji Yae Bong, assistant professor of learning, design and technology, Cato College of Education; Jose Martins do Outeiro, professor of advanced and sustainable manufacturing and Hamed Tabkhivayghan, associate professor, electrical and computer engineering, W.S. Lee College of Engineering; Lisa Rasmussen, professor of philosophy, College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences.

The goals of the AI Research Council complement the work of The University’s AI Steering Committee, on which Deb Thomas sits. That group recently launched a website dedicated to AI-related practices, tools and projects at UNC Charlotte.