DSAI Symposium Recap: CU Denver at the Forefront of AI Innovation

At the University of Colorado Denver innovation is defined by lived, applied experience; A place where students, faculty, and industry leaders meet at the cutting-edge to shape the technologies of tomorrow.

The Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Symposium, sponsored by the College of Engineering, Design, and Computing, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, BUSINESS, and the Research Development Office, is a prime example of how the campus is turning ideas into action, bringing together researchers, students, industry leaders, and public-sector partners for a day of dialogue on the evolving role of AI.  Held at the Jake Jabs Center, the symposium showcased both the rapid advancement of AI technologies and the responsibility that comes with deploying them in real-world contexts.

“We hope DSAI serves the CU Denver community by bringing together existing and new data science and AI learners, educators, researchers, and practitioners to help realize the promises of AI at CU Denver, while protecting the community from its potential pitfalls through innovation and engagement,” said Farnoush Banaei-Kashani, PhD,. professor of computer science in the College of Engineering, Design, and Computing (CEDC), the co-chair of the event. “We hope attendees were energized by what they observed throughout the symposium and encouraged to join in this effort.”

Innovation Across Disciplines

The program reflected the full breadth of innovation happening across campus and beyond, from technical sessions on machine learning and generative AI to applied discussions on public policy, education, and business transformation.

Suma Nallapati, Chief AI and Information Officer (CAIO) for the City and County of Denver, presented a keynote exploring how AI is reshaping how we learn, work, and lead. Panels and presentations dove into topics such as predictive analytics, AI-driven decision-making systems, and the future of human-AI collaboration. At the same time, conversations underscored the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and community engagement as AI systems become more deeply embedded in everyday life.

Across every session, one theme was clear: AI is transforming every sector it touches. As Banaei-Kashani noted, “AI is already here—but its shape in society is still undecided. As an urban higher education institution, I believe CU Denver is a key agent capable of shaping the future of AI in society.”

Driving the Future of AI at CU Denver

The organization committee of DSAI Symposium reflects a broader culture of innovation at CU Denver, bringing together faculty and student representatives from six of the university’s schools and colleges. This collaborative effort has been jointly co-chaired for several years by Meysam Rabiee (from Business), Julien Langou (founding chair from CLAS), and Farnoush Banaei-Kashani (founding chair from CEDC), underscoring the initiative’s deeply interdisciplinary roots.

As a hub for AI research, technical expertise, and cross-sector collaboration, CU Denver’s schools and colleges each contribute distinct strengths to this growing ecosystem. The College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC) advances foundational and applied work in areas such as data science, scalable computing, machine learning, and AI. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) contributes critical perspectives in statistical and scientific machine learning, scientific applications of AI, ethics, and policy-relevant research. The Business School brings expertise in analytics, innovation, and organizational applications of machine learning and AI. The School of Public Affairs explores governance, public-sector implementation, and societal impact, while the School of Education and Human Development examines learning, pedagogy, and workforce readiness in an AI-driven world.

By connecting foundational research with industry needs and public-sector challenges, CU Denver is shaping how AI can be responsibly designed, deployed, and scaled. Faculty and researchers across disciplines are advancing cutting-edge work while translating that expertise into curricula that equip students to build, evaluate, and apply AI systems in real-world contexts.

“I see tremendous potential (backed by strong engagement from administration, students, faculty, and staff) for CU Denver to become an increasingly AI-aware and AI-powered institution that can stand out as an AI education and research hub in the region and beyond.” Banaei-Kashani said. “During the DSAI symposium, we heard from numerous presenters how they are innovating in education and research in and with AI, confirming that we are on the right track toward this end!”

LynxHack 2026: The Next Generation of Innovators

The DSAI Symposium highlights what makes CU Denver truly distinctive: a commitment to hands-on, real-world learning that prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Throughout the symposium, students stepped into the role of innovators, participating with the future of the field by engaging with industry professionals and thought leaders to explore emerging AI technologies and applications.

One of the most exciting highlights of the symposium was the student competition and LynxHack 2026 hackathon presentations, where attendees saw firsthand the creativity, technical skill, and ambition of CU Denver students.

“I was thrilled by all components of the symposium, from the opening to the closing,” says Banaei-Kashani. “However, if I have to pick one, I believe the presentations by the student competition teams filled the audience with joy, observing the bright future of the CU Denver students in AI firsthand!”

These projects demonstrated exactly why so many students come to study at CU Denver, the opportunity to build real solutions, solve real problems, and graduate with experience that sets them apart.

From innovative applications to real-world problem-solving tools, the energy in the room made one thing clear: the future of AI is already taking shape on this campus.

Explore the LynxHack 2026 project gallery:
https://lynxhack2026.devpost.com/project-gallery

Shaping What’s Next

As CU Denver continues to expand its leadership in data science and artificial intelligence, events like the DSAI Symposium reinforce its role as a hub for collaborative innovation. At CU Denver, the future of AI is being built.