Sunday, October 5, 2025

The AI Lightning Talks series is a monthly opportunity for University of Iowa faculty and staff to exchange ideas, showcase projects, and explore practical applications of artificial intelligence across teaching, research, and administration. Each talk lasts just five minutes, offering a fast-paced way to hear a range of perspectives in one virtual session.

Recordings of previous sessions are available on the AI Lightning Talks archive.

Why Participate

For presenters: Lightning Talks provide a platform to share an idea, project, or lesson learned, without preparing a full seminar. Each presentation highlights a single key takeaway, supported by a few concise slides.

For attendees: In one hour, you can hear multiple perspectives from across campus and discover how AI is being used in real-world scenarios. It’s an efficient way to stay informed, connect with colleagues, and gather ideas for your own work.

AI in Action at Iowa

Recent Lightning Talks have showcased how AI is being applied across disciplines:

  • AI in Athletics: Eddie Estey, Associate Athletics Director for Technology, discussed how AI supports performance analytics, injury prevention, and operations in Athletics.
  • AI in Education and Research: Gahyun “Callie” Sung, College of Education, demonstrated how AI tools automate feedback and data collection, helping faculty focus on teaching and mentoring.
  • AI for Coding and Accessibility:  Sasha Khmelnik, Iowa Writers’ Workshop, shared how AI can generate code and automate digital tasks, expanding access for non-technical users.
  • AI for Career Preparation: Ken Brown, Tippie College of Business, presented on using generative AI to simulate job interviews and prepare students for success beyond the classroom.
  • AI for Documentation and Workflow Efficiency: Spencer Owen, Rienow Hall Coordinator, showed how AI can create FAQs and guides to streamline departmental operations.

These examples highlight how AI is being used not just for research or coding, but also for teaching, operations, and student engagement.

Preparing a Lightning Talk

  • Keep remarks to 3–5 minutes.
  • Use up to five slides (often one per minute).
  • Start with a clear main point or takeaway.
  • End with a question, next step, or application idea.

Recordings and sample slides from past sessions are available on the AI Lightning Talks archive.

Upcoming Session

The next AI Lightning Talks will be held:
Thursday, October 30, 1–2 p.m. (virtual)

Get Involved