AI Lightning Talks are events that feature short 3-5 minute talks covering topics such as AI Use cases, projects, concepts, or impacts. The goals of these events are to:

  • Share knowledge and insights about the latest AI trends, tools, best practices, and practical uses of AI.
  • Encourage collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas among OneIT members.
  • Inspire innovative applications of AI within our IT community.
Two people sit at a desk with laptops and smile

Upcoming Event:

If you are interested in presenting, we'd love to hear from you! Please reach out to us by email at OneIT-Iowa@uiowa.edu.

The next AI Lightning Talk is on January 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Mark your calendar

Previous Events

Panopto Recording:

Presenters:

  • Nathan Elliott, Course Coordinator, Distance and Online Education, on AI music
  • Mike Frangi, Director of IT Project Management, Information Technology Services, on AI for project management
  • Tyler Bell, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, on "Natalie's Book Reader"
  • Nicole Dahya, Director of Strategic Communication, Information Technology Services, on creating a professional headshot with AI
  • Dave Kelly, Executive Director, ITS Enterprise Infrastructure, on disaster-recovery planning with AI
  • Jack Rossi, Communications Manager, College of Dentistry, on social media strategy with AI
  • Barry Schreier, Director of the Higher Education Program, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, reflecting on an AI experiment about homophobia

 

Panopto recording: 

Presenters: 

  • Kirsten Morris, Instructional Services Specialist in Organizational Effectiveness, on using AI to adjust the tone and/or reading level of content
  • Laura Young, IT Support Consultant, Extended Technical Support, on AI translating earbuds
  • Justin Fraase, Senior Director of Strategic Communication, University Human Resources, on using Copilot for HR web content
  • Mike Keller-Wilson, Administrator of Student Programs Belin-Blank Center, demonstrating BedtimeStory.AI and Belin-Blank's upcoming AI Explorer program.
  • Matthew Anson, Interim-Director Data Analytics and Insights, on leveraging AI to enhance understanding by making your own podcast.
  • Kristine Munoz, Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and Director of Global Health Studies Program, using AI to help students read scientific papers; using AI to prepare for classes (worksheets, etc.)
  • Warren Staal, IT Security Architect, "From Clicks to Conversations: AI's Path to Marketing Gold"
  • Philip Haworth, Systems Analyst, ITS-Research Services, on how to leverage AI for more efficient notes and documentation.

Panopto recording:

Presenters:

  • James Hirsch, Web/IT Training Specialist in ITS Enterprise Services, on creating abstract AI art
  • Ashley Glassberg-Nazette, Senior IT Support Consultant in the ITS Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, on Goblin tools
  • Katherine Beydler, Associate Director, Center for Teaching, on authentic assessment via AI
  • Kirsten Morris, Instructional Services Specialist in Organizational Effectiveness, on using AI to create animation scripts and mastery quiz questions in online training courses
  • Erin Talbert, Assistant Professor, Health and Human Physiology, on using AI to create distractors for quiz questions
  • Tom Neese, IT Director, ITS Enterprise Infrastructure, on Reverse Engineering Code (for managers) and poetry for nerds

Panopto recording:

Presenters:

  • Ross Miller, Lead Application Developer, ITS Administrative Information Systems, on using AI to generate humorous images based on common office terminology.
  • Mark Hamilton, Studio Manager and Instructional Service Specialist, Distance and Online Education, on using a CustomGPT to build a study guide generator.
  • Jimmy Farrelly, Student Instructional Technology Assistant, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, on using AI as an Alt-Text-generating assistant.
  • Steve Fleagle, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, on two helpful AI use cases.
  • Mark Anthoney, Lead Instructional Designer, Distance and Online Education, on using AI to turn research notes into a shareable resource.
  • Carmen Langel, Director, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Grant Support Office, on grant-related prompts. 
  • Ryan Puhrmann, Director of Admissions and Outreach, College of Engineering, on creating first-draft content for promotional documents.

Panopto recording:

Presenters:

  • Chris Clough, IT director, College of Education and Division of Student Life, demonstrating how to leverage AI for effective time management.
  • Nicole Villanueva, instructional technology consultant, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, showing how to use Copilot for efficient email drafting.
  • Patrick Riepe, web manager, College of Public Health, sharing how breaking down a task into smaller, manageable prompts can lead to solutions for complex programming challenges.
  • Justin Evans, IT security architect, and Jim Chaffee, executive director of learning innovation and technology, Tippie College of Business, presenting how to create images and video from a prompt.

As we continue to explore AI, generative AI in particular, we’re open to learning more about how you are using AI. Faculty and staff can email their AI experiences, questions, and suggestions to ai-feedback@uiowa.edu.