Greetings, IAIER Supporters,

As October draws to a close, I wish you a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

I also encourage every eligible voter to make their voice heard in the 2026 general election. In-person early voting ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. For those registered in Durham County, NCCU’s Turner Law Building serves as an early-voting location, making it convenient for members of our campus community to participate.

October has been another full and engaging month at IAIER. We welcomed our corporate partners Microsoft and Dell for hands-on workshops, continued Reading Between the Algorithms, our AI book club, and created new opportunities for our community to explore the practical possibilities of artificial intelligence. This week, we will also host the second installment of our AI in Action Faculty Series, designed to help faculty integrate AI into teaching and learning thoughtfully and responsibly.

As we look ahead to November, IAIER will conclude its fall programming with two final events. Both will include virtual participation options, responding to the many requests we have received for greater flexibility and access. Learn more about these opportunities throughout this issue, and register to join us as we close the semester with continued learning and connection.

With the final month of classes approaching, I encourage our students, faculty, and staff to finish the semester strong. Give these remaining weeks your best effort, support one another, and take pride in how far you have come.

As always, if you are interested in partnering, collaborating, or providing philanthropic support to IAIER, we welcome the opportunity to work with you. Your engagement helps us expand access to AI education, research, innovation, and workforce development.

We hope to see you at our next event. And when you visit the Innovation Hub, be sure to look for our new building signage!

Beyond the buzz, the work continues.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Grady Brings IAIER Perspective to HBCU Library Alliance Meeting

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady represented NCCU and IAIER at the HBCU Library Alliance 2026 Biennial Membership Meeting, “Homecoming & Harvest,” held October 26–27 in Nashville, Tennessee.

On October 27, Dr. Grady delivered the presentation, “HBCU Libraries, Artificial Intelligence, and the Digital Future”, as part of a larger plenary panel. Her remarks explored AI’s growing role in higher education and how HBCU libraries can help their institutions strengthen AI literacy, evaluate emerging technologies and prepare students for an evolving workforce.

Dr. Grady also joined Doug Fisher of Vanderbilt University and Mark McBride and Dylan Ruediger of Ithaka S+R for a panel moderated by Delritta “Del” Hornbuckle of Howard University. Together, they examined the opportunities and challenges AI presents for HBCU libraries—and the role libraries can play as trusted spaces for learning, critical inquiry and responsible adoption.

Microsoft Makes AI Practical 💻

A full house of students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at IAIER for Microsoft | Working Smarter with AI. Microsoft team members moved beyond the buzzwords, guiding attendees through Microsoft Copilot, practical productivity applications and real-world ways AI can streamline everyday tasks.

Live demonstrations and open conversation gave participants an opportunity to see the technology in action, ask questions and leave with a clearer understanding of how AI can support—not complicate—the workday.

From Insight to Interaction With Dell Technologies 👩🏼‍💻

IAIER welcomed students, faculty, staff and community members for a packed morning of learning and conversation with Dell Technologies. The program featured a keynote presentation followed by a panel of Dell experts exploring practical AI tools, emerging trends and the technology’s growing influence across education and industry.

Audience questions kept the conversation moving, while dedicated breakout sessions gave students and faculty and staff space to explore how AI connects to their specific interests, work and goals. From the keynote to the final discussion, the experience reinforced an important message: AI is for everyone.

Reading Between the Algorithms Tackles AI, Autonomy and Control

IAIER’s Reading Between the Algorithms book club recently gathered to discuss Stuart Russell’s Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control. The conversation centered on a critical question: How can increasingly capable AI systems remain aligned with what humans actually want?

Participants explored human values, autonomy and the “King Midas” problem—when technology follows instructions precisely but produces unintended results. The discussion challenged attendees to consider not only what AI can do, but how much decision-making humans should be willing to hand over.

Up next, the club will discuss Kate Crawford’s Atlas of AI on Monday, November 16, at 11 a.m. in the IAIER Building. E-book copies are available to NCCU students, faculty and staff through EBSCO. Those outside the NCCU community may request access by emailing [email protected].

Ghosts, Goblins & Generative AI

Some things are more fun when they remain mysterious. AI isn’t one of them.

Halloween traditions have long used storytelling to give shape to the things people fear. Today, artificial intelligence inspires its own mix of fascination, uncertainty and sometimes a little alarm. But unlike a good ghost story, technology should not leave us completely in the dark.

AI literacy helps pull back the mask. That means understanding what a tool can and cannot do, asking questions, verifying its responses, protecting sensitive information and keeping human judgment at the center. The goal is not to fear every new tool—or treat it like magic—but to understand it well enough to use it thoughtfully and responsibly.

This Halloween, keep the costumes, question the algorithm and save the scares for after dark. 🎃

The Work Is Adding Up

IAIER has been putting in the work—and the numbers show it. October added 120 engagements to the institute’s growing reach: 50 attendees at the Microsoft session, 67 at the Dell Technologies event and three participants in a focused Reading Between the Algorithms book club discussion.

Since the start of 2026, IAIER has recorded 1,963 engagements across its programs and events. Students account for 34% of that participation, with faculty, staff and community members contributing nearly equally to the exchange. From packed industry sessions to close-knit conversations, people are showing up, leaning in and advancing AI learning at NCCU.

EMERGING SCHOLARS & LEADERS

IAIER Connects with Durham’s Future Innovators at Acceler8

Dr. Drew Johnson represented IAIER at Durham Public Schools’ fourth annual Acceler8 Career Expo on October 20. Hosted by Durham Public Schools and its Career and Technical Education department, the event brought together more than 2,000 eighth-grade students for hands-on career exploration and conversations with employers, educators and community organizations.

Participating within the “Connecting & Supporting Success” track, Dr. Johnson brought AI and emerging technology into the day’s career conversation while sharing IAIER’s work with students. Acceler8 gave young learners an early look at how their current interests can grow into future educational and career paths—and offered IAIER another meaningful opportunity to connect with Durham’s next generation of thinkers and innovators.

As October winds down, IAIER is keeping the learning and conversation going into November. Save the dates and join us!

IAIER, OeL, OFPD | AI for Course Design & Quality Matters

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026, 11:00am
📍 Zoom Webinar
👥 NCCU Faculty and Staff

Join us for an upcoming webinar featuring practical AI strategies for course design, along with helpful guidance and resources from Quality Matters to support strong, engaging learning experiences.

👉🏻 Learn more here.

IAIER Book Club: Atlas of AI

📅 Monday, November 16 | 11 a.m.
📍 IAIER Building
👥 NCCU students, faculty and staff

Join IAIER’s Reading Between the Algorithms book club for a discussion of Atlas of AI by Kate Crawford, which looks beyond the software to examine the resources, labor, data and infrastructure that make artificial intelligence possible.

👉🏻 Register here.

Curated opportunities we’re watching beyond campus.

Build Career-Ready Skills With KR Scholars and Google

Applications are open for the Fall 2026 HBCU Campus to Career™ Certification Cohort, offered by KR Scholars in partnership with Grow with Google. The free, self-paced program helps HBCU students build in-demand digital skills through industry-recognized certifications.

Current HBCU sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. Certification options include data analytics, UX design, project management, IT support, digital marketing and e-commerce, cybersecurity, and a new artificial intelligence certificate that can be completed in fewer than 10 hours.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, November 13. Learn more and apply HERE.

AI Builders Challenge North America

College and university students across the United States and Canada can join the free virtual AI Builders Challenge North America, sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild and organized by BeMyApp. After completing a required 15-minute IBM SkillsBuild course, participants will use IBM Bob to create a prototype for the AI for Good, AI for Business, or Wildcard Challenge.

The competition runs November 2–December 2 and offers $15,000 in prizes, including a $10,000 first-place award. All majors and experience levels are welcome; no coding experience is required.

Register and begin the required learning: AI Builders Challenge North America

Students Can Claim One Year of Google AI Pro

Eligible U.S. college students ages 18 and older can receive Google AI Pro at no cost for one year. The plan includes expanded Gemini usage, study tools, unlimited course-material uploads and 5 TB of storage.

The offer must be redeemed by December 31, 2026. A valid payment method is required, and the subscription will automatically renew at $19.99 per month after the promotional period unless canceled.

Review the Offer and Terms: gemini.google/students

Spend Summer 2027 in Biomedical Research at Wake Forest

Wake Forest University School of Medicine is accepting applications for its 2027 Biomedical Engineering and Informatics Paid Internship Program. The 10-week experience runs May 25–July 30 and offers undergraduate and master’s students hands-on research, faculty mentorship, workshops, boot camps, seminars and networking opportunities.

Research areas include machine learning and AI applications, data science and biomedical informatics, medical device testing, injury mechanics, diagnostics and other related topics. Participants will receive a stipend, and on-campus housing will be provided for students who do not live locally.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old by May 25, 2027, have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate or graduate education, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications are due January 29, 2027.

Review details and apply HERE.

ACUE Commons AI Quick Study Series

NCCU faculty and staff can access the fully funded ACUE Commons AI Quick Study Series through June 2027. The 10 self-paced modules cover effective prompting, AI-supported teaching and assignments, responsible student use, learning integrity, and original thinking.

Participants can work on their own schedule and leave with practical strategies they can apply in the classroom.

Register/Access the ACUE Commons here.

HBCU C² AI Command & Connect Challenge

Students can participate in HBCU C²’s 2026–2027 AI Command & Connect Challenge, a virtual, multi-phase experience in research, solution development, testing, and pitching.

Teams of up to three students will receive training and guidance as they develop solutions and prepare for the final challenge on April 1–2, 2027. Participants can strengthen their project and presentation skills, collaborate with peers, and compete for prizes.
Register Today: https://tnstate.jotform.com/262565068408160

What We Do
Advance responsible AI education, research, and workforce readiness across NCCU.

How We Show Up
• Faculty research and seed grant support
• Student learning pathways and leadership development
• Campus and community engagement
• Strategic industry and institutional partnerships

Our Focus
Scalable, university-wide programs and partnerships designed to create lasting impact across teaching, research, workforce development, and community engagement.

Want a deeper look? View the full IAIER overview (PDF).