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.

Notre Dame took over the Big Apple for the Shamrock Series as the Fighting Irish took on Army in Yankee Stadium on November 23, 2024.

In 2022, Eric Goins was deployed to Poland as a U.S. Army Signal Corps Officer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today, he’s pursuing a dual MBA and Master of Global Affairs degree at Notre Dame—and is also a walk-on kicker for the Fighting Irish football team. After graduation, Goins plans to continue serving his country as a civilian.Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman, whose father served in the United States Air Force, has a deep appreciation for the military. Freeman expressed pride in welcoming Goins to the team, recognizing the unique perspective and dedication veterans bring to the field.While Notre Dame’s ROTC program has long been at the core of campus military engagement, a growing number of active duty members and veterans are now part of the University community. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ken Heckel ’96, director of Notre Dame’s Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (OMVA), is leading efforts to expand support for this group.“For the millions of veterans who’ve selflessly served our country, Notre Dame has both the honor and the responsibility to serve them,” Heckel says. His work is helping to build a robust military community on campus, ensuring veterans and active duty members feel supported as they pursue their education.Learn more at fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-serve-others-above-self

The Notre Dame Forum brought together Israelis, Palestinians, and others who care deeply about the region and seek to break through the status quo and overcome division and polarization for a conversation on November 11, 2024.Supported by the work of the OneVoice Movement, these peacemakers advocated for a shared future that unlocks the full potential of both peoples. They also seek to empower voices that foster depolarization in discourse about the region in the United States in order to build support for the notion that Israeli-Palestinian coexistence is possible.Speakers include:Nidal Foqaha - Director General, Palestinian Peace Coalition Ezzeldeen Masri - Chief Field Officer, PeaceWorks Foundation and OneVoice Movement Tehila Wenger - Deputy Director, The Geneva Initiative and Lisa Schirch - Richard G. Starmann, Sr. Professor of the Practice of Peace Studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre DameSince its establishment in 2005, each year the Notre Dame Forum invites campus-wide dialogue about issues of importance to the University, the nation, and the larger world. The 2024-25 Forum focuses on the theme, "What Do We Owe Each Other?"

In 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.