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workshop: MidwestCon

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workshop: Artistic Intelligence Mixer: Embedding and Embodying AI in Everyday Life 
Midwest Conference. 2025. Cincinnati, OH. 9.10.2025

Sponsored by: UC DAAP and FotoFocus

This dynamic, hands-on workshop invited participants to step beyond theory and into living with AI. Through interactive exercises and scenario-based challenges, attendees explored how artificial intelligence could be seamlessly woven into the fabric of daily life—not just as a tool, but as an embedded and embodied presence.

Guided by design thinking methods, we collaboratively imagined responsible, human-centered, and artistically inspired AI-driven products, systems, and experiences. Together, we examined the opportunities and tensions that arise when AI moves off the screen and into the spaces, objects, and interactions that shape our everyday world.

Participants left with new perspectives on what it means to design AI that is creative, ethical, and deeply connected to the human experience.

Speakers
Claudia B. Rebola, PhD, DAAP (College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning), Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
Caroline Anderson, DAAP, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts
Isabel Potworowski, DAAP, Assistant Professor of Architecture
Ming Tang, University of Cincinnati, Professor, Director of Extended Reality Lab
Sangyong Cho, Assistant Professor
Heekyoung Jung, Assoicate Professor

SENSE + AI

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ARCH 4001 studio. Fall 2025

SENSE: Spatial Experiences for Narrative and Sensory Emotions with AI-Assisted Design

Final Presentation: Monday, December 1, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
CGC Lab, Room 4425, College of DAAP bldg, UC

session A: 1:30-3. Three groups
session B: 304. Two groups

Museum concept by UC student Dwayne CarterEmma CekCourtney Reese. Fall. 2025

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CIC-VISTA

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Following six successful phases of the Building Safety Analysis with AI / Geospatial Imagery Analytics Research project (2020–2025), funded by the Cincinnati Insurance Companies (CIC), we are pleased to announce the launch of a new research initiative: VISTA – Virtual Immersive Systems for Training AI.

VISTA – Phase 1 ($81,413) marks the continuation of XR-Lab’s collaborative research efforts at UC with CIC. This new track will explore advanced AI-related topics, including computer vision, synthetic imaging, procedural modeling, machine learning, and reinforcement learning.

Project Title: Virtual Immersive Systems for Training AI, Phase 1. PI: Tang. Award Amount: $81,413. Project Period: 07/01/2025 – 11/01/2026

 

Bearcat AI Award

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UC Bearcat AI Award Supports XR-Lab Student Innovation in 2025–2026

We are excited to share that two XR-Lab student fellows have been selected for the 2025–2026 Bearcat AI Award to support their cutting-edge research projects:

  • Mikhail Nikolaenko ($4,400) — Integrating Digital Twin and GPT for Sustainable Building Analytics and Green Design Education in DAAP and CEAS

  • Aayush Kumar ($5,000) — INARA (Intelligent Navigation and Autonomous Response Agent): An Adaptive Indoor Navigation Assistant for UC Spaces

These projects reflect the XR-Lab’s ongoing commitment to advancing AI-driven solutions in design, education, and campus experience. Congratulations to both recipients!

Other team memberes: Ming Tang, Semere Abraha, Sid Thatham.

 

 

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2025 Faculty Excellence Award

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I’m honored to share that I’ve received the 2025 Faculty Excellence Award as part of UC’s Research + Innovation Week, co-sponsored by the Office of Research and the Office of the Provost.

This recognition is truly meaningful to me, as it highlights the value of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation across our academic community. I’m deeply grateful to the colleagues and leadership who nominated me, and to all the students, collaborators, and partners who make this work possible.

Thank you for the continued support—it’s a privilege to be part of such a vibrant and inspiring research environment at UC.

photo source: UC Digital Futures.  Ming Tang with Dr. Keisha Love, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Patrick Limbach. Vice President for Research.