Artificial Intelligence for the common good | Notre Dame Stories
In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Nitesh Chawla, Founding Director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Amid growing concerns about AI’s societal impacts, Chawla emphasizes a proactive and inclusive approach to leveraging this technology for good. From addressing biases in AI systems to creating global solutions for healthcare and poverty, his work exemplifies Notre Dame’s mission to advance the human condition through interdisciplinary collaboration.He also discusses how Notre Dame’s holistic educational approach empowers students to use data and AI ethically and responsibly to tackle complex global challenges.Listen to discover how Notre Dame is driving innovation in data and science to create meaningful societal impact and subscribe to Notre Dame Stories wherever you get your podcasts.---------
Show Links
Subscribe: https://link.chtbl.com/notredamestories
Episode page: https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/ai-for-the-common-good/
Strategic Framework: https://strategicframework.nd.edu/notre-dame-2033-a-strategic-framework/
Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society: https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/
--------
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Nitesh Chawla shares his Notre Dame story
02:53 Nitesh Chawla talks about why he's optimistic about AI's future potential
04:42 Nitesh Chawla explains why we need to be inclusive in how we think about AI
06:43 Nitesh Chawla talks about his research using AI to track chemotherapy complications
09:21 Jenna and Nitesh Chawla discuss how AI has positively impacted humans
11:36 Nitesh Chawla shares how the societal and scholarly impact of AI fits in Notre Dame's Mission
12:48 Nitesh Chawla talks about how Notre Dame's holistic education helps students tackle important societal issues
14:36 Nitesh Chawla discusses how the Lucy Family Institute uses data and AI to address some of societies most vexing problems
16:32 Nitesh Chawla explains how Notre Dame's strategic framework guides the Lucy Family Institute's research
24:08 Jenna and Nitesh Chawla discuss what it's like working at Notre Dame
27:47 Nitesh Chawla shares the driving force behind Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society's growth
28:47 Jenna asks Nitesh Chawla what he hopes his work in data and AI will achieve for society
30:57 Nitesh Chawla shares why Notre Dame is different from other private universities
32:15 Lightning round: Jenna asks Nitesh Chawla three questions about research, data, and AI
--------
Credits
Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour.
More from Notre Dame Videos
- 2:01Fighting for Religious LibertyIn Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, Chi’chil Bildagoteel, known as Oak Flat, is a sacred space for the Apache and other Native tribes. Countless generations have used the site for religious and coming-of-age ceremonies and have gathered medicinal plants and acorns from its majestic oaks.But Oak Flat is in danger. In 2014, a land swap deal offered Oak Flat to a mining company that intends to place a copper mine leaving the site unsafe for humans. Apache Stronghold, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization made up of Native and non-Native allies, are intent on saving Oak Flat.While the Notre Dame Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, launched in 2020, isn't representing the Apache Stronghold, it's very supportive of its mission and has filed multiple amicus briefs in support of protection for Oak Flat. The Clinic, one of the world's leading academic institutions on the subject, is representative of Notre Dame's values. Informed by its Catholic character, the University has always supported and promoted religious liberty as a fundamental human right.Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law at the Notre Dame Law School, is careful to note that religious liberty encompasses all faiths, and those without faith.“The Religious Liberty Clinic was created because our freedom of conscience, our freedom to believe, and then live according to our beliefs, is the most important and fundamental freedom that we have. Not just as Americans, but as humans,” he said.
- 2:01Notre Dame Fighting For NICU Babies and Their FamiliesMention the word NICU, and so many parents are instantly transported back to days spent there with their tiny babies. The loud monitors. The blinking machines. Crying babies. Doctors and nurses rushing around. But Dr. Bob White ‘71 has a different experience.For decades, Dr. White, a practicing neonatologist and Notre Dame professor, has spearheaded a team of physicians, nurses, researchers, architects and regulators who created recommendations for NICU design and care. Based on clinical research, the recommendations have led to improvements in NICUs around the globe, including the one where Dr. White works in South Bend.These guidelines are the gold standard and lead to healthier results for both babies and families.
- 10:20The Summus virtual specialist platform that works for youThe Summus virtual specialist platform is a voluntary benefit available at no cost to Notre Dame staff and family members. It provides virtual access to a world-class medical advisory team and to specialists who are available by phone or video from anywhere in the world—across all health concerns, from allergies to chronic conditions to acute, complex diagnoses such as cancer.In this episode, we speak with Summus Member Experience Coordinator Hana Berhe, who talks about the benefits of using Summus for your medical needs.---This episode of NDWorks Podcast was hosted by Natalie Davis Miller, managing editor of NDWorks, and was edited by Michael Wiens, visual media coordinator, with original music by Alex Mansour.
- 1:00Notre Dame Democracy InitiativeDemocracy is in crisis both at home and abroad.The level of democracy experienced by the average person in the world today has regressed to the level of 1985 and more than 70% of the global population currently lives under autocracy, according to a 2024 report by the Varieties of Democracy Project.The Notre Dame Democracy Initiative hopes to play a key role in responding to this crisis.
- 0:41Notre Dame Drone ShowTo celebrate the Inauguration of Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., as Notre Dame's 18th president, the University hosted a drone show over campus.Featuring iconic ND images like the Golden Dome and campus skyline, the Leprechaun, seal of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and a graduate tossing her cap towards the sky, the show featured 500 drones.
- 1:57Notre Dame's Democracy InitiativeThe Notre Dame Democracy Initiative will establish the University as a leader in the study of democracy both in the United States and worldwide, as a convener for conversations about and actions to preserve democracy, and as a model for the formation of civically engaged citizens and public servants.Learn more: https://go.nd.edu/Democracy