AI holds the potential to boost economic growth, improve individual health care, mitigate the climate crisis and much more. At the same time, used without intention, AI could also increase the spread of disinformation and discrimination, exacerbating some of our toughest societal challenges.

The winners of the inaugural Planet Texas 2050 + Humanities Institute Faculty Learning Community awards have been announced. Despite planning to select only five awardees for the inaugural cohort, the organizers received dozens of impressive applications, compelling program leaders to select six recipients for the full award as well as funding ten additional microgrants. The awards are the result of a recent open call that Planet Texas 2050 issued in partnership with the Humanities Institute to seed new collaborations with researchers from arts, design, and humanities. 

A Q&A with new Whole Communities–Whole Health chair Mike Mackert

Funding for 11 Projects Across 8 States to Develop Marine Carbon Capture Technologies, Accelerating Novel Climate Solutions while Supporting President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Achieve a Net-Zero Economy by 2050

Good Systems has awarded funding to five projects that investigate the ethical implications of AI technologies in society in the areas of racial justice, surveillance and privacy, smart cities, and community-robot interaction.

Hernández is among the thousands of Austinites experiencing the unequal effects of Austin’s urban heat islands, which leave residents with higher temperatures, more expensive electricity bills and greater risk of heat-related illnesses.

A University of Texas at Austin assistant professor has been recognized with a significant academic honor as she was named this month to a panel of experts who will explore the future of artificial intelligence on society.

Sharon Strover, Philip G. Warner Regents Professor in Communication, passes her Good Systems Chair position to Sherri Greenberg, LBJ School Assistant Dean for State and Local Government Engagement and Professor of Practice at LBJ School and Steve Hicks School of Social Work.

The collaboration between the City of Austin and Planet Texas 2050 has been crucial to ensuring the city’s leaders are basing their climate resilience action on research informed by the needs of Austin’s most vulnerable communities.

As the 2023-24 academic year begins, Good Systems Executive Team members and close collaborators share their thoughts on the most exciting developments in AI for social good as well as the most pressing ethical concerns facing society today.