Putting the AI Zone to work in the field and at instructional sites
Use the AI Zone to explore how AI tools are reshaping industries
Following the "Building Learning Materials to Teach Introductory Applied ML/AI" workshops in May and June 2024, the University of Arizona Data Science Institute (DSI) has become home to one of four AI Zones—hands-on exhibits designed to showcase the possibilities of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various fields. The AI Zone offers an interactive space where students, educators, and the general public can explore how AI tools are reshaping industries like agriculture. The AI Zone will debut at the AgTech Conference in Yuma, AZ, on November 13-14, 2024.
The AI Zone is portable and designed to be quickly set up at educational and outreach events, giving participants the opportunity to see how AI works under the hood. Going beyond simple demonstrations—it allows users to interact with ML/AI systems, learn about their key components, and even explore how to train and customize AI models. As DSI Director Nirav Merchant explains, "The goal is to support students' ML/AI journey from 'Curiosity to Competence.'" The AI Zone is designed to break down the complexity of AI, offering users a chance to understand how these tools can be applied in practical, real-world settings.
One of the standout features of the AI Zone is how it empowers communities and institutions supported by the SWEETER (SouthWest Expertise in Expanding Training, Education, and Research) initiative. Funded by the National Science Foundation, SWEETER helps create networks that broaden participation in computing across academic institutions and community colleges in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.
Leonardo Hernández, a DSI student worker under the guidance of CyVerse's Edwin Skidmore, has setup key demonstrations within the AI Zone. One of the demonstrations uses the Nvidia Jetson Nano and a version of Meta’s Segment Anything Model to show how AI can transform agriculture. In the demo, AI can detect and highlight objects, such as in this video of cows in a field, based on user specs input. The model has real-world applications from identifying predators to monitoring livestock health. For example, the system can predict a cow’s weight or detect limping, alerting farmers to potential issues. Additionally, drone footage coupled with AI image-recognition models can be used to detect crop diseases, helping farmers assess the health of their fields quickly and accurately.
The AI Zone not only demonstrates AI's capabilities but also allows users to learn how to develop, train, and fine-tune their own AI tools. For farmers and agriculturalists, this means gaining hands-on experience with AI systems that can optimize operations and automate tasks that help create efficiency and reduce costs. From monitoring livestock to managing crop health, AI can assist in further revolutionizing farming, and the AI Zone gives participants the skills to be involved based on their specific requirements.
The AI Zone is more than just an exhibit—it's an opportunity for anyone interested in AI to explore its potential and learn how to build and customize AI tools for their specific needs. Whether one is a farmer, student, or simply a curious bystander, the AI Zone is there to discover the power and possibilities of artificial intelligence.
The portable AI Zone is available for events and instructional purposes. Contact the Data Science Institute (rii-datascienceinstitute@arizona.edu) to schedule and plan a visit for a demonstration or for a consult to determine how best to customize the AI Zone for your use.
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