Category Archives: AI

Hacking4Humanity 2026: Challenging AI Injustice, Building Ethical Futures

Hacking4Humanity (H4H) is a tech and policy hackathon that offers students a new way to engage with real-world social problems that can be improved with novel technical and policy solutions. This year’s theme is Challenging AI Injustice, Building Ethical Futures.

H4H 2026 kicks off on Zoom on Friday, February 6 and culminates in an in-person competition consisting of student presentations of their tech and policy solutions onFriday, February 20. The hackathon is open to all undergraduate and graduate students from any college or university in the Pittsburgh area, and students can register to participate as individuals or teams.

Hacking4Humanity is a tech and policy hackathon, so students from all disciplinary backgrounds can participate! In addition to the theory-, skills-, and relationship-building opportunities that this event provides, winners of the in-person competition will be awarded cash prizes ($1,000 for first place in each track) and will have the opportunity to meet and work with students from across the region, as well as network with academic and industry professionals. Register now!

Dr. Parul Yadav Receives the Woman in Research Excellence – Global Woman of Science Award

Congratulations to Dr. Parul Yadav!

The “Woman in Research Excellence – Global Woman of Science Award” is an ElevateX Award given at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Networking (ICAIN). Dr. Parul Yadav received this award at ICAIN 2025, held in Dubai this October, for her contributions to research and innovation. The award celebrates women’s achievements in research, focusing on merit-based evaluation of innovation, impact, and leadership, especially in AI and related fields.

The ICAIN conference brings together scientists, researchers, and industry experts to discuss advancements in computing and networking. The ICAIN 2025 event was organized by BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, in association with the Universal Innovators and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad.

  • Award Goal: The ElevateX Awards, which included the “Woman in Research Excellence” category, were created to recognize individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions in research, academia, and industry.
  • Selection Process: The awards used a merit-based selection process with multiple stages of evaluation, including a call for nominations, an initial screening, and a final review by an expert committee. 

Congratulations again to Dr. Parul Yadav!

Robotics & AI Discovery Day 2025

Explore Innovation in the Robotics Capital of the World at Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day!

This free and open event showcases cutting-edge robotics, automation, and AI solutions that are driving innovation across multiple industries.

From business leaders looking to innovate, to tech enthusiasts exploring the latest trends, to job seekers searching for emerging career opportunities, to those simply curious about how robotics and AI are reshaping our world – this event has something for everyone.

Be part of the action, engage with industry influencers, and witness firsthand the power of robotics and advanced technology in the heart of Western Pennsylvania. Your journey into the future starts here—mark your calendar and join the thousands attending Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day!

For more information: Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day

Need a ride? Fill out the form. If there is enough interest, RMU will provide transportation. Interest Form

Fall 2025 Case Competition: Trusted AI for Banking

Sponsored by PNC Bank and hosted by Carnegie Mellon University, Corporate Startup Lab is proud to announce its Fall 2025 Case Competition! 

The theme for the Competition is Trusted AI for Banking.  You will attempt to provide a solution through transformative innovation ideas, products, or services.  

Registration closes September 20th: Registration Link for CSL Case Competition

Registered teams will receive the full prompt on September 21st, with the first round of submissions due on October 4th at 11:59PM

Finalists will be announced on October 9th, with Final Presentations given on CMU’s campus on October 23rd

Following a celebratory lunch and a brief ceremony, the top three teams will be publicly recognized and will receive cash prizes totaling $20,000, including $12,000 for the first-place team.

The competition is open to all Graduate and PhD students at any U.S. based college or university. You must have a team consisting of 3-4 students to enter.

For more

AI in Action Hack-a-Thon

The Massey Center is launching the  AI in Action Hackathon: Solutions for Small Business Success! Students from RMU and other universities will team up with local businesses and industry leaders to build real-world, AI-powered solutions. the deadline is September 22!

Friday, September 26th – Virtual Launch Day

Saturday, October 18th – Pitch Day at Field Day Co-working space in Lawrenceville

This initiative invites students of all academic backgrounds and schools to develop AI-enabled solutions for 4 founders in the region.  Adopting a human-centered approach, teams meet with founders and mentors during the innovation process. The Grand Prize is $1000 for the winning team,  with additional recognition categories.

Special thanks to visionary, Data Science Major William Fullerton, in partnership with Duquesne student, Benjamin Irwin,  and Faculty Champion and Massey Center Advisory Board Member, Dr. Albena Ivanova, for your energy and big thinking! 

Content provided by The Massey Center.

To register, visit: https://apicspgh.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=76&ts=1757623402

SteelHacks XII Hackathon

Unleash Your Inner Innovator at Steelhacks XII!

Get ready to dive into a world of innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration at Steelhacks XII, happening on September 20-21, 2025, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Steelhacks is more than just a coding competition; it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals.

  • 24 hours of coding, creativity, and collaboration
  • Speed Friending with various companies (networking opportunities) and Guest Speakers
  • Prizes for several different tracks
  • Free food and fun activities to keep the energy high

Mark your calendars and get ready to turn your ideas into reality.

Register now: at the Steelhacks website for registration and updates on all the exciting activities and more details as the event approaches!

Dr. Steve Mancini – Best Podcast Host!

The CIS department is thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to our very own Dr. Steve Mancini on his recent achievement! Dr. Mancini has been recognized as the Best Podcast Host in the prestigious 2025 Communicator Awards for his engaging and insightful podcast, The Italian Impact.

This well-deserved win highlights Dr. Mancini’s dedication and passion for fostering connections both within our university and the local community. Through The Italian Impact Podcast, he skillfully brings attention to a diverse range of topics that resonate with students and faculty right here on campus, while also reaching out to the vibrant Italian community in Pittsburgh and beyond.

We encourage everyone to tune in and experience the award-winning podcast for themselves! You can find The Italian Impact Podcast on all your favorite listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also learn more and explore past episodes on the official website: https://italianimpactweekly.com/.

To see the details of Dr. Mancini’s award and all of the winners, click HERE

Let’s all celebrate Dr. Mancini’s fantastic accomplishment and continue to support his wonderful work with The Italian Impact Podcast! Congratulations, Dr. Mancini!


Highlights from the AWS DeepRacer Competition

We had an amazing time with our AWS DeepRacer Competition this semester! A big thank you to Amazon for partnering with us. Providing our students with hands-on experiences in AI and machine learning is truly invaluable. Check out the highlights from the competition here: