RAISE - Mini Grants
Grant Awards - Alaska AI Solutions Consortium Awardees
Academic Year 25/26
Announcing the Alaska AI Solutions Consortium grant awardees advancing AI innovation across Alaska through the RAISE initiative at UAA.
Project #1
Project:
Predicting Thermal Conductivity of Warming Permafrost for Hazards Estimation using Machine Learning
Faculty PI:
Zhaohui (Joey) Yang, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering at UAA
Chief Editor, ASCE J. of Cold Regions Engineering
Community
Partner:
Nome Joint Utilities System
Goals &
Outcomes:
Permafrost thaw results in a significant loss of bearing capacity and ground subsidence, threatening the built infrastructure in permafrost regions. Traditional empirical and analytical methods struggle to capture permafrost's complex, nonlinear, coupled thermal-mechanical behavior. This proposal aims to develop data-driven models for predicting the thermal conductivity of warming permafrost using advanced machine learning (ML) techniques. Collaborating with our community partner, we will apply these developed models to evaluate the degradation of a key utility site in rural Alaska and predict the risks associated with permafrost degradation.
Project #2
Project:
North Star Parents: AI-assisted behavioral parent training for Alaskan families
Faculty PI:
Kristin A. Riall, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences at UAA
Behavior Analysis Program and Practicum Coordinator
Community
Partner:
Step-In Autism Services
Goals &
Outcomes:
Building an app that can provide in the moment supports for families who have children with Autism but are unable to access traditional behavior analytic training. We plan to provide in the moment guidance for managing challenging behaviors for families who are waiting for additional services, with back-up support available from a licensed clinician. Our goal is to build a bot that can provide basic training and guidance on the principles of behavior to reduce the likelihood of escalation of behavioral challenges using reinforcement-based strategies.
Project #3
Project:
Strategic Artificial Intelligence: Pilot Testing the Effectiveness of AI SEO, GEO and AI Media Assets
Faculty PI:
Joy Chavez Mapaye, Ph.D.
Professor of Journalism and Public Communications, College of Arts and Sciences at UAA
Certified Digital Marketing Professional
Adviser, UAA Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
Community
Partner:
Anchorage Design Week
Fairness for Fairview
Fairview Community Council
Center for Safe Alaskans
Goals &
Outcomes:
This project aims to test the effectiveness of public health traffic safety campaign efforts through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for search engine optimization (SEO) and generative engine optimization (GEO). Research on AI-generated media content will also be conducted through A/B testing, a focus group and psycho-physiological measurements. Insights and implications from this project have the potential to shape public health evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs), build public trust and create a healthier information environment in Alaska.
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