Greetings IAIER Supporters,

As we move through mid-April, it is hard to believe how quickly the semester has progressed. While time has flown, we are focused on finishing strong with several exciting opportunities still ahead.

This Friday, we will host an AWS Bedrock workshop designed to deepen hands-on engagement with emerging AI tools. Next week, we will convene a Faculty Resource Roundtable to support AI enablement as faculty prepare for future teaching and curriculum innovation. We will close out the month with our IAIER Showcase, highlighting our signature programs and the outstanding work of our scholars and leaders over the past year.

April is also a critical month for IAIER’s continued growth and impact. Seed grant applications are due today, and our reviewers will soon begin the process of identifying proposals for funding. At the same time, we are conducting interviews to select our next cohort of AI Emerging Scholars and Leaders for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Our work at IAIER continues to build momentum, with several new initiatives in development that we look forward to sharing in the near future. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay engaged, stay encouraged, and finish the semester strong.

As always, we welcome opportunities to collaborate, partner, sponsor, or support IAIER through philanthropic investment. At IAIER, we believe that AI is for everyone, and your support helps us turn that belief into reality.

Thank you for being part of the IAIER community.

Warm regards,

🔘 NCCU Golden Eagles — Class of 1965

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady recently met with and presented to members of NCCU’s Golden Eagles from the Class of 1965, leading an engaging session on understanding and using artificial intelligence in everyday life.

Her presentation offered a practical and approachable introduction to AI, encouraging attendees to explore its role with confidence and curiosity. The experience served as a powerful reminder that AI literacy spans generations—and that learning never stops.

🔘 Digital Durham AI Summit - Community Leadership & the Future of AI

Dr. Grady delivered a keynote at the Digital Durham Spring Community Leaders AI Summit, engaging educators, nonprofit leaders, and public servants in a conversation on how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of local communities. 

Her remarks focused on the intersection of AI and the digital divide, emphasizing the importance of ensuring communities are prepared to engage with emerging technologies in meaningful and informed ways. Drawing from IAIER’s work at NCCU, she highlighted how education, collaboration, and practical application can help bridge gaps and expand opportunity as AI continues to evolve. 

🔘 HBCU STEM US Research Center Conference

Dr. Clinton Griffin, Postdoctoral Researcher at IAIER, presented his research at the HBCU STEM US Research Center Conference, a national gathering focused on advancing research and innovation across Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

His work explores how students’ daily movement patterns—captured through smartphone data—can provide insight into mental health and overall well-being. Using predictive modeling, the study highlights how patterns in activity and routine may signal changes in student experience, with findings that vary across different stages of the college journey. 

This research reflects IAIER’s continued focus on using technology to better understand and improve student outcomes. 

April is a time to recognize Autism Awareness Month and reflect on how individuals experience the world in different ways.

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday life, it offers new possibilities for supporting communication, learning, and interaction—especially when designed with care and intention. From tools that assist with language and routine to systems that adapt to individual needs, AI has the potential to play a meaningful role in how people engage with the world around them.

At IAIER, these conversations remain rooted in a simple idea: technology should support people, not the other way around.

Early 2026 is already shaping up to be a high-impact season at IAIER. Below are a few upcoming moments to have on your radar — with more ahead.

Curated events and opportunities we’re watching across the region.

Tech Night at the Durham Bulls — Hosted by RapidScale

📅 Sept. 9, 2026 | ⏰ Gates open at 5:30 p.m. | 📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park RapidScale will once again host a tech-focused student picnic at the Durham Bulls, featuring a private party deck, ballpark fare, and an evening of networking and community following last year’s successful event. Registration details will be shared later this spring. More details coming soon.

Programs, resources, and experiences designed to help you learn, grow, and engage beyond the classroom.

🎓 KR Scholars HBCU Scholarship 

Applications are now open for the KR Scholars HBCU Scholarship, offering financial support to students continuing their journey at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This opportunity is designed to support driven students as they pursue their academic and professional goals. 

Eligible applicants must meet GPA requirements, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled full-time at an HBCU. With limited spots available, early application is strongly encouraged. 

Application deadline: April 20, 2026 

👉🏾 Click here to view the flyer and apply: www.krscholars.com/apply  

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

What We’re Not
An IT help desk or one-off consulting service. IAIER focuses on scalable, university-wide impact.

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