< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM The artificial intelligence (AI) realm is as transformative as any industry these days, and Auburn University is emerging as a leading force in that space. Whether it is innovative AI-related research designed to revolutionize indus- tries, the implementation of AI in higher education curriculum or the application of AI capabilities in an ever-growing list of fields, Auburn faculty, students and staff are on the forefront of advancements driven by the evolving technology. From the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning’s incorpora- tion of AI into faculty’s operations and processes, to the university-wide AI@AU initiative led by the Department of Com- puter Science and Software Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineer- ing, Auburn’s practical and effective use of AI is helping shape countless futures. That includes innovative implementa- tion of AI in the classroom in fascinating and exciting ways, with nearly 1,000 fac- ulty and graduate students already utiliz- ing AI in their instruction. “We’re building AI literacy through ini- tiatives like the Biggio Center’s “Teaching with AI” course that is used by all SEC in- stitutions and instructors at every Alabama community college,” said Asim Ali, Biggio Center executive director. “We also have several academic programs, including a proposed undergraduate AI certificate, which will equip students from any disci- pline with critical AI skills for the future. Our goal is to ensure that Auburn graduates are not only knowledgeable about the bene- fits and pitfalls of AI, but also prepared to lead in a world where AI plays a central role in their careers and communities.” AI@AU, designed to expand AI re- search and education across campus, has several programs, projects and initiatives fueling thought-sharing and growth, in- cluding an AI-STEM education integra- tion, the Fall 2024 AI@AU Forum and even the AI@AU Fall Film Festival. “In the future, we expect AI@AU to expand AI education across campus, for example by introducing a course on AI that any Auburn student can take and expanding AI research across campus, and we expect to see events such as the AI Exchange and the AI Forum increase their reach statewide and regionally,” said Gerry Dozier, the Charles D. McCrary Eminent Chair Professor in the Depart- ment of Computer Science and Software Engineering. Innovators on the Plains are doing in- spiring work that will help shape the AI world for years to come. “Auburn faculty and students are do- ing cutting-edge work in foundational AI, such as making AI systems explain them- selves, and in applied AI in domains such as agriculture and health care,” said Hari Narayanan, the John H. and Gail Watson Professor and co-director of AI@AU with Dozier. “This will have an impact on how we live healthy lives in future. It also is exciting to see how faculty and students across the university are collaborating with one another to conduct outstanding research and develop educational expe- riences with AI.” The university’s application of AI can make a difference for many in a variety of ways. “These opportunities, programs and experiences are changing lives,” Dozier said. “We believe the passion with which Auburn University has embraced AI will continue to grow in the future.” Auburn has made deliberate, calcu- lated and strategic decisions to assume a leadership role in the AI realm in recent years, efforts that have catapulted the university’s AI programs among the na- tion’s premier institutions. “Auburn University’s leadership in the evolving AI space stems from a strong com- mitment to innovation and a dedication to our land-grant mission of sharing knowl- edge and fostering economic develop- ment across our state and nation,” said Ali, who holds degrees in software engineering, information systems management and adult education. “Our efforts in AI reflect a multi-faceted approach — integrating AI into education, supporting AI-driven re- search and extending its practical applica- tions to local businesses and communities.” In addition to multi-disciplinary collab- orations and networking initiatives taking place across campus, Auburn leaders are fast at work harnessing the potential ap- plications of AI into impactful real-world programs and directives. Those advance- ments are designed to do everything from prepare Alabama’s future workforce and revolutionize farming, industrial de- sign, construction and machine learning, to informing K-12 teachers about AI’s ca- pabilities in the classroom and streamline community enhancement programs. Most recently, Auburn hosted the in- augural Alabama Higher Education AI Exchange to foster statewide collabora- tion in the hopes of enhancing education, extension and outreach via AI. Auburn already has received awards for its lead- ership, including the Collaborative Initia- tives Award, and has been selected as a Microsoft case study for others to model. When it comes to the future of AI and Auburn, the possibilities are seemingly endless. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: NEAL REID AUBURN ESTABLISHED AS LEADING FORCE IN EVER-EVOLVING AI WORLD In a third-year industrial design studio, Liam Gallagher utilized AI to experiment with how different materials and finishes might look on his compact coffee pot design.129 E. Glenn Ave. (Downtown) (334) 209-6390 1673 Shug Jordan Pkwy. Suite A (334) 209-1295 1684 S. College St. (334) 209-1140 Serving Auburn for over 40 years “Bertha!”52 ON THE PLAINS AUBURNTIGERS.COM For senior linebacker Austin Keys, playing at the highest level of college football has always been one of his big- gest dreams. Keys, a 22-year-old who attended Seminary High School in Mis- sissippi, transferred to Auburn from Ole Miss in January 2023, to finish his college career on the Plains. From a young age, family has always been of great importance to Keys. His two brothers, Montrell and Mylan, moti- vated him to put all his focus into football and become the best player he could be. “My family, and most importantly my brothers, have been my biggest moti- vation,” Keys said. “If it weren’t for my brothers, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now because I didn’t have inter- nal thoughts about playing football and going pro.” Since his introduction to the Tigers last season, Keys – who played in 23 games at Ole Miss from 2020-22, re- cording 51 career tackles – has wanted to step up for his fellow teammates and be a role model, despite suffering injuries during his first year at Auburn. “I try to shine the light on others and let them know that once the cleats are up, they’re up,” Keys said. “And being down isn’t the best feeling at all, so I just try to get my mindset right by saying that I have to play each game like it’s my last game and play every snap like it’s my last.” Keys, who is studying sociology at Auburn, wants to establish himself as a leader for the younger players on de- fense, especially playing under new de- fensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. “I want to be a better leading voice for the freshman and the newcomers,” Keys said about his goals. “Since playing under Durk, I know how he operates and that will give me an edge in helping people who don’t know, so I can be there when they have questions and help them. I just want to help.” From the beginning, Keys has loved being part of the Auburn Family. He felt accepted right away, since the day he first committed to the Tigers. “My first interaction with the Auburn family was at a basketball game the day I committed; the word got out fast,” Keys recalled. “I committed right before the bas- ketball game, and when I went in, it was cra- zy. It was my first Auburn basketball game, and the atmosphere in the arena was crazy. “The first football game I played in at Jordan-Hare was insane. Having 88,000 fans screaming for you was unreal. But that’s family.” Since he arrived at Auburn, Keys has improved his preparation before games and is eager to leave it all out on the field this season. One of his mentors here at Auburn, FCA team chaplain Chette Wil- liams, has helped Keys grow and helped him develop the mindset to overcome setbacks from the thumb injury and sur- gery he faced last season. “He knows what I have been through this last year, and it was hard,” Keys said. “I connect with Brother Chette before we go out in the tunnel, and we do a quick prayer to give me an extra push. And my teammates being there – that team feeling helps to encourage me and hype me up. That first feeling that let me know that I was back last year was every- thing to me.” ON THE PLAINS WITH AUSTIN KEYS BY: TY HAFFNER ‘PLAY EVERY SNAP LIKE IT’S MY LAST’ORANGE AND BLUE ©2024 BLUE MOON BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO • ALE54 2024 STADIUM MAP 2024 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM (NS PASS) NORTH STADIUM LOT SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE BILL & CONNIE NEVILLE LOBBY SUITE TICKET PICK-UP 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 0 EXIT GATE STUDENT GATE STUDENT GATE SOUTH SERVICE GATE AUBURN PLAYER GUEST STUDENT GATE BROADWAY CLUB & MEDIA CREDENTIALS TIGER WALK CLUB ENTRANCE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES 11 10 1U VISITING PLAYER GUEST & VISITING FAN TICKET PICK-UP NORTH SERVICE GATE VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM FOOTBALL RECRUITING OLYMPIC SPORT RECRUITING TIGER WALK CLUB 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 12 12 14 15 14 13 15 16 16 17 17 18 1819 19 20 20 21 46 46 45 44 44 434241 43424140 4039 39 38 38 37 37 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 2929 28 28 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP HRC ONLY BROADWAY CLUB ONLY TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE GAMEDAY TRANSIT & FANFEST NEVILLE ARENA TICKET OFFICE Sales & Pick-Up BROADWAY CLUB SUITESSUITES NELSON CLUB BECKWITH CLUB Entry Gate Water Station Cooling Station LEGEND Medical Bag Entry Special Access Statues Guest Services ADA Shuttle Elevator First Aid Tiger Babies Charging Station Student Section Seating bowl closed to non-students Team ShopCIVIL CONSTRUCTION, DONE RIGHT56 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM WOODFIELD LOT (ADA Reserved with Tailgating) SEE NEXT PAGE FOR LEGEND Auburn University is a smoke-free campus. THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING. Map information is subject to change. Visit AUBURNTIGERS.COM for updates to this map and other game day information. SCAN FOR DIGITAL2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2024 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COMWelcome to Delicious YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 Empowering Your Financial Journey. 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