The Robert H. Smith School of Business hosted AI Lightning Talks on Oct. 23, 2025, featuring 15 faculty and PhD presenters sharing fast-paced insights into recent AI research topics, from healthcare and entrepreneurship to generative AI and visual design.

Professors Lauren Rhue and Siva Viswanathan at the Smith School study AI’s societal impacts. Rhue reveals racial bias in facial recognition, while Viswanathan develops deepfake-based methods to detect and mitigate bias in decision-making and healthcare.

More than 37,000 learners worldwide have joined the Smith School’s free AI and Career Empowerment course—designed for transitioning federal workers but open to all—building AI literacy and career skills through expert-led, self-paced modules.

The Smith School’s new AI certificate program has drawn over 20,000 global enrollees since May. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller visited July 1 to highlight its role in Maryland’s AI-driven workforce development.

The Smith School hosted UMD’s first university-wide AI case competition, challenging students to use artificial intelligence to tackle food insecurity. Partnering with Capital Area Food Bank, the event drew 100+ students who developed AI prototypes to address real-world issues.

Experts from business, government, and nonprofits shared insights on AI’s challenges, opportunities, and governance at the Smith School’s 2nd Annual AI Symposium, highlighting innovation in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and legal compliance.

Launching May 1, 2025, the University of Maryland’s Smith School will offer a free, online AI and Career Empowerment Certificate to help federal workers and others build AI literacy, explore job opportunities, and navigate career transitions with expert guidance.

Professors Siva Viswanathan, Balaji Padmanabhan, and PhD student Yizhi Liu at UMD’s Smith School developed a patent-pending deepfake method to detect and mitigate bias in decision-making. Their study shows how AI-generated images can improve fairness in hiring, healthcare, and criminal justice.