IAIER Affiliated Units

The Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research (IAIER) fosters collaboration among diverse academic units, leveraging the university's strong commitment to social justice and community service.

Our interdisciplinary approach brings together thought leaders from law, public policy, health, business, and technology to harness artificial intelligence to address society's most pressing challenges while ensuring AI aligns with ethical standards and human-centered values. This collaborative spirit empowers us to drive innovation that benefits individuals and communities.

The NCCU Technology Law and Policy Center (TLPC) aims to produce technology-savvy lawyers who can integrate technology into legal practice and address legal challenges in the technology space. The center was launched with the support of a $5 million grant from Intel Corporation, focusing on preparing students for the intersection of law and technology, including areas like cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI. It emphasizes social justice, aiming to close the digital divide and ensure technology is used to uplift marginalized communities.

The IAIER and the TLPC will collaborate to bridge the gap between technology, law, and policy, ensuring that AI development is aligned with ethical standards and benefits underserved populations. The TLPC's focus on tech-driven legal education and its mission to foster social justice makes it a natural partner for the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research (IAIER). Together, they will conduct interdisciplinary research, facilitate discussions on AI regulations, and work on ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used in ways that promote fairness and equity.

The Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research (LAIER) at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with social justice and equity. Founded in 2020, LAIER conducts research in areas such as machine learning, human-computer interaction, and the impact of AI on diversity and inclusion. The lab seeks to address how AI can mitigate and exacerbate disparities in various fields, emphasizing the creation of equitable AI systems that promote fairness across different communities.

IAIER and LAIER will collaborate to further research initiatives to develop AI technologies with a strong focus on ethical considerations and equity. Together, they will explore how AI can solve pressing societal challenges, focusing on areas like real-time fault diagnosis for self-driving cars, STEM education for underrepresented groups, and virtual support systems for marginalized communities. This partnership will expand the impact of AI on our campus, emphasizing the development of AI-driven solutions that benefit underserved populations.

The NCCU School of Business Center for Cybersecurity is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), highlighting its robust curriculum, research, and commitment to workforce development. The program offers a major concentration, a minor, and a certificate in cybersecurity, preparing students with critical skills in computer security, forensics, cyber defense, and regulatory compliance. The center is crucial in educating professionals to protect data, systems, and privacy as the world digitizes. 

IAIER will collaborate with the Center for Cybersecurity to address the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. By combining expertise, the institute and the center can explore the development of AI-driven tools to enhance cyber defense mechanisms, mitigate security threats, and protect critical infrastructure. This collaboration will ensure that students gain hands-on experience in both AI and cybersecurity, preparing them to tackle modern challenges in digital security while emphasizing ethical and socially responsible AI applications.

The Information Technology (IT) Data Analytics program at NCCU equips students with the skills to handle large datasets and apply analytical methods to extract insights for decision-making. A critical aspect of the program is helping students understand data-related challenges, such as data bias, quality issues, and the complexities of predictive modeling. These challenges are directly tied to the potential harms in AI systems, mainly when data analytics is misused or flawed.

The collaboration between IAIER and the IT Data Analytics program will be essential in advancing ethical AI development. Together, they will focus on building AI models that are transparent, accountable, and equitable. This partnership will place particular emphasis on addressing the needs of underserved populations by ensuring that AI and data analytics are used to reduce, rather than reinforce, disparities in areas like healthcare, education, and employment. By integrating ethical considerations into data analysis and AI development, the collaboration will equip students with the tools to develop AI systems that serve all communities fairly.

The Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) at NCCU focuses on workforce development, research, and training in life sciences, with a particular emphasis on biopharmaceuticals and clinical sciences. BRITE provides hands-on learning and industry-relevant education in drug discovery, biomanufacturing, and pharmaceutical sciences. The program plays a vital role in meeting the workforce needs of North Carolina's growing life science sector. It is home to a state-of-the-art facility where students engage in applied research, helping to combat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. BRITE also conducts outreach programs, including its BRITE Futures initiative, to inspire future STEM professionals.

The collaboration between IAIER and BRITE will enable the integration of AI into the life sciences, particularly in areas like drug discovery, biomanufacturing process optimization, and biomedical data analysis. By combining BRITE's expertise in biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical sciences with IAIER’s focus on ethical and human-centered AI, the partnership will drive innovative solutions that can accelerate drug development and improve health outcomes, especially for underrepresented communities. Together, they will also work on predictive models for disease progression, data-driven approaches for personalized medicine, and enhancing biomanufacturing efficiencies.

The Assistive Technology in Visual Impairment Program at NCCU is an online graduate program that prepares professionals to assess, configure, and instruct in assistive technologies designed for individuals with visual impairments. Graduates are equipped to work in K-12 schools, higher education, rehabilitation services, and independent service agencies, focusing on technology that supports independence in daily tasks. The program includes hands-on consumer and specialized technology training to address the unique needs of visually impaired individuals. Students also learn to individualize instruction and collaborate with other professionals to provide comprehensive support.

IAIER and the Assistive Technology in Visual Impairment program will collaborate to explore developing AI-powered tools that enhance assistive technologies. This partnership will focus on innovations that improve accessibility, increase independence, and provide adaptive solutions for individuals with visual impairments. The institute's AI research will complement the program's expertise in assistive technology, enabling more effective and intelligent systems for education, mobility, and everyday functionality for people with visual disabilities.

IAIER welcomes partnerships with the private sector to support the development of our next generation of technologists.