Washington State University researchers are using AI technology to do everything from improving science education to scoring wildfire risk — and six such initiatives got a boost from a Microsoft program celebrating the company’s 50th birthday.
The company distributed $5 million to 20 projects by universities, nonprofits and other organizations across the state through its AI for Good Lab. WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell was among the speakers at an April 29 event in Seattle announcing the awards.
The winners receive Microsoft Azure credits, which can be used to pay for cloud computing services, and the chance to collaborate with AI for Good Lab scientists, according to a press release from the company.
The WSU award winners and their projects:
- Stocksmart
Tipton Hudson, professor of livestock and range management, WSU Extension
This project harnesses data and technology to offer an online tool that helps users develop grazing plans for livestock. Using AI-guided interpretation of virtual fence data, the site can help reduce wildfire risk, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve control of invasive species. - Wildfire risk assessment
Haifeng Wang, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
This project will offer a tool to assess wildfire risk in homes across Washington state, by developing AI models based on satellite imagery, weather data, information about buildings, and wildfire simulations. - Soil cleanup data
Juejing Liu, graduate student in the Department of Chemistry
This project will use geochemistry and large language models to build a public dataset to help design soil decontamination methods for Spokane and Hanford, both of which have heavy and radioactive metal contamination. - Supporting rural science education
Tingting Li, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning
This project will develop an AI-powered tool to help rural elementary teachers develop high-quality science assessments — often a struggle for educators in small towns due to limited resources, professional development opportunities and access to technology. - Helping science teachers
Peng He, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning
This project provides science teachers with an AI-powered tool, called the Group Argumentation Coordinator, that provides real-time support for argumentation-based science learning in diverse classrooms. The two-year plan supported by the award will focus on developing the system, small-scale classroom pilots and integrating feedback from teachers. - WARNS
Brian French, Regents professor and director of the Learning and Performance Research Center
This award will support the expansion of the Washington Assessment of Risk and Needs of Students, which is a tool for assessing what middle school and high school students need for healthy social, emotional and educational development. The initiative will develop large language models for the elementary-school level to reduce absenteeism and prevent dropouts by initiating a dialogue with students about what they need to thrive.
