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Dr. Vishnu S. Pendyala Calls for Urgent Regulation to Address Bias, Misinformation and the Environmental Impact of AI

January 9th, 2025 by Elaine Hall
Bay Area Innovators with Vishnu Pendyala

Vishnu Pendyala explores the pressing need for AI regulation with Bay Area Innovators on January 8, 2025.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and societies worldwide, but as its influence grows, so do the risks. In a compelling discussion on a recent episode of Bay Area Innovators, Dr. Vishnu S. Pendyala, a Faculty Member in the Department of Applied Data Science at San José State University, emphasized the urgent need for regulations to mitigate AI’s potential harms. 

Dr. Pendyala highlighted a fundamental flaw in generative AI systems: 

“These models hallucinate and produce misinformation. They are also used to create deliberate misinformation, such as deepfakes and fraud.” 

The professor’s stark warning comes at a time when the rapid deployment of AI technologies often outpaces the ethical and legal frameworks needed to control them. 

To learn more about Dr. Pendyala’s insights, watch the full episode of Bay Area Innovators here.

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Posted in Artificial Intelligence, Department of ADS, Faculty

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San José State University Earns Prestigious National Designation in Cybersecurity

December 29th, 2024 by Elaine Hall

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity logo

December 29, 2024— San José State University has received the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation through 2029. This designation underscores the university’s leadership, excellence in cybersecurity education, and alignment with national priorities. Institutions receiving the CAE-CD designation are recognized for meeting rigorous standards in cybersecurity education, demonstrating competency development for students and faculty, and engaging in meaningful community outreach and workforce development initiatives.

Benefits of the Designation

The designation significantly benefits SJSU’s students, programs, and community. According to Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca, Co-Director of SJSU’s Silicon Valley Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity (CAIC) and Associate Professor in the School of Information, 

“For students, it ensures they receive a comprehensive and robust cybersecurity education that meets NSA and DHS standards, preparing them for successful careers in the cybersecurity field. For the SJSU community, it reflects a university-wide commitment to cybersecurity awareness, the development of skilled cybersecurity professionals, and fosters stronger partnerships with government and industry.”

Dr. Simon Shim, Chair and Professor of the Department of Applied Data Science and CAIC Co-Director, emphasized the designation’s alignment with the College of Information, Data and Society’s mission: 

“It ensures students gain rigorous, NSA- and DHS-approved cybersecurity education, demonstrates CAIC’s leadership in national cybersecurity priorities, and fosters partnerships that advance the workforce and protect our digital future.”

About CAIC

SJSU’s Silicon Valley Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity is at the foundation of this work. Established in 2014, the CAIC is a hub of multidisciplinary collaboration within SJSU. With nearly 20 full-time and adjunct faculty members, CAIC operates at the forefront of artificial intelligence, big data and cybersecurity research and education, addressing some of the digital world’s most pressing challenges.

Advancing Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development

The CAE-CD designation recognizes the quality and relevance of SJSU’s cybersecurity programs and strengthens its ability to build connections with government and industry leaders. It also positions SJSU as a leader in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to address evolving threats in an increasingly digital world.

With this recognition, SJSU stands as a leading institution for innovation and research in Silicon Valley, empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to safeguard our digital future.

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Posted in CAIC, Cybersecurity, Department of ADS, iSchool

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SJSU College of Information, Data and Society Celebrates Commencement for Summer and Fall 2024 Graduates

December 12th, 2024 by Elaine Hall

2024 Graduation TasselGraduates from the College of Information, Data and Society (IDS) have several opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments this December. The 2024 Fall Commencement marks the first-ever Commencement for the newly established College of Information, Data and Society, adding a significant milestone to the 2024 celebrations. The Ceremony, open to all graduates, ensures that every graduate is recognized for their achievements in meaningful ways.

College of IDS Commencement: A Historic Celebration

The SJSU College of Information, Data and Society Commencement, to be held on Friday, December 20th, at 6:30 PM, will celebrate graduates from across the College, including the School of Information and the Department of Applied Data Science. This inaugural commencement for the College marks a historic moment, showcasing the growth and evolution of these disciplines at SJSU.

Graduates will also have the opportunity to attend the CIDS Graduation Celebration Social Event earlier that day. This special gathering, designed to honor and connect Fall 2024 graduates, will take place on December 20, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM in the SJSU Student Union Ballroom, providing a memorable prelude to the formal academic commencement ceremony.

Highlights of the Commencement Ceremony include:

  • Student Speakers: Rachelle Pabalan (iSchool) and Sourab Rajendra Saklecha (Department of ADS).
  • Student Banner Bearers: Madalyne Mazurek (iSchool) and Meghana Hegde (Department of ADS).
  • A heartfelt moment as Dr. Anthony Chow accepts a diploma on behalf of a graduate unable to attend due to terminal illness.
  • A live-streamed experience, using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses worn by graduating student Connor Dandridge, providing a first-person perspective of the ceremony, office tour, and reception for remote participants.

This year, the College of IDS celebrates 494 graduates from the School of Information and a record-breaking 109 graduates from the Department of Applied Data Science’s MSDA program, the largest graduating class in the program’s history. Together with the social event and the commencement ceremony, these events mark a memorable celebration for all graduates.

Virtual Convocation: Honoring School of Information Graduates

iSchool Virtual Commencement StageIn addition to SJSU College of IDS commencement, the iSchool will host a virtual convocation for iSchool graduates, offering a more personalized way to celebrate their achievements. The virtual event will take place on Friday, December 13th at 5 p.m. and will include:

  • Keynote addresses by Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association (ALA), and JonLuc Christensen, NASA/Caltech JPL Records Manager and adjunct faculty member.
  • The first-ever VR stage walk allows participating iSchool graduates to virtually “walk” across the stage.

This additional celebration is designed to complement, not replace, the university’s commencement, providing iSchool graduates an opportunity to connect in a unique way.

Record Achievements Across the College

In addition to being the College’s first Commencement event, the Department of Applied Data Science also celebrates significant milestones. In addition to its 109 MSDA graduates for Fall 2024, the department boasts 468 alumni and a record 460 students currently enrolled in the program. Chair Dr. Simon Shim commented on the program’s growth and focus:

“Generative AI is set to transform industries by enabling task automation and improved decision-making. By incorporating this into our curriculum, we ensure our graduates are job-ready for their innovative contributions.”

Meanwhile, the School of Information continues to expand its impact, with 494 graduates this semester, including:

Dr. Anthony Chow, Director of the iSchool, highlights:

“The SJSU iSchool continues to grow and flourish across programs, attracting some of the top students in the nation. This year, iSchool students won both the ALA and ASIS&T Student Chapter of the Year awards. We are honored to be a part of their academic journey and proud of their accomplishments.” 

A Growing Legacy  

The inaugural Commencement for the College of IDS marks a momentous occasion, reflecting its growth and leadership in these dynamic fields. With the MLIS program now representing 14% of all MLIS graduates nationally and the MSDA program achieving record-breaking enrollment, the College is poised for continued success.

Sandy Hirsh, Associate Dean, Academics for the College of IDS, emphasized the significance of this milestone:

“These students have demonstrated academic excellence and readiness to tackle complex challenges in their respective fields. Their resilience and innovation are remarkable, and I am confident they will make significant contributions to society.”

Congratulations to all graduates from the College of Information, Data and Society. Your achievements are a testament to hard work, dedication and innovation, and we look forward to seeing the impact you will make in the world!

Stay Connected with the College of IDS

Be the first to hear about our latest news, events, and achievements by signing up for the College of Information, Data and Society Newsletter. Stay inspired by following us on Facebook and LinkedIn to celebrate our graduates’ success stories and explore how we’re shaping the future of information and data sciences. Don’t miss a moment—join our growing community today!

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Posted in Commencement, Community, Department of ADS, iSchool

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Calling All College of IDS Students: Share Your Research at the 2025 CIDS Online Student Conference!

November 30th, 2024 by Elaine Hall

Are you ready to showcase your research, share your professional work, and connect with peers across the SJSU College of Information, Data and Society (CIDS)? The 2025 CIDS Online Student Conference is your chance to shine!

This dynamic event, taking place March 4-6, 2025, is now accepting submissions. Students across the college are invited to submit research projects and professional work that highlights innovative ideas, problem-solving and collaboration. Whether exploring cutting-edge technologies, diving deep into societal challenges or showcasing industry best practices, your work deserves a spotlight!

Why Should You Participate?

Since 2022, the College of IDS Online Student Conference has been a unique platform for students to:

  • Develop Presentation Skills: Gain valuable experience presenting your work professionally.
  • Connect with Peers: Engage in meaningful dialogue with students from different disciplines within the college.
  • Earn Recognition: All presenters will receive prizes for their participation!

Conference presenters will prepare short, recorded video presentations of their research or professional projects. These videos will be available for attendees to view throughout the conference, fostering a rich learning and interactive environment.

Get Involved!

Help us spread the word! Share this incredible opportunity with your networks and encourage participation. Together, we can make the 2025 CIDS Online Student Conference a memorable and impactful experience.

For more information or to submit your work, visit https://bit.ly/CIDSconference2025. Let’s make this year’s conference a celebration of innovation, collaboration and inspiration!

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SJSU College of Information, Data and Society Applauds the School of Information for Winning Silver at The Anthem Awards 2024

November 27th, 2024 by Elaine Hall

Anthem Award Winner 2024 San José, CA — The San José State University College of Information, Data and Society is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of the SJSU School of Information (iSchool) as its XR VOICES (Virtual Oases for Inclusive Cultural Exchange and Sanctuary) project earned the Silver Award at The Anthem Awards 2024, which is second place in the highly competitive Digital and Innovation Experiences category, a testament to the iSchool’s leadership in using cutting-edge technology to amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Sponsored by the Webby Awards, the Anthem Award is focused on community impact, and the SJSU iSchool’s XR Voices entry was selected from among 2,300 entries submitted from over 30 countries. Other winners include Sesame Street, the MET, the Smithsonian, NAACP, etc.

The XR VOICES project, an innovative extended reality storytelling initiative, resulted from a remarkable collaborative effort. In an inspiring acceptance speech, available here, the iSchool team shared their excitement: “WE DID IT :)!” This recognition highlights the iSchool’s commitment to driving technological innovation in ways that empower and connect communities.

XR VOICES

The SJSU iSchool is a global leader in the development of browser-based virtual reality spaces and won the award based on three VR spaces:

  1. Seeking Immortality: Meet and learn about the Northern Cheyenne Tribe’s land, people, language, culture, stories, and traditions in browser-based VR.
  2. Children Draw War, Not Flowers: Learn from children all across Ukraine how they are experiencing the war with Russia and have used art to express themselves and also teach us through their eyes what the war is doing to them, their families and their culture. Let the children speak.
  3. Freedom to Read: Learn about the history of book banning in the US, meet some of the national partners like the American Library Association, Books Unbanned (founded by Brooklyn Public Library) and Little Free Library, who are leading the fight, hear passages from banned books read to you, meet teens who share their stories and desire to read freely, and gain access to the Books Unbanned digital card where teens and young adults can gain access to almost all banned books digitally for free.

Teamwork and Collaboration

The success of XR VOICES would not have been possible without the tireless contributions of an exceptional team, including support from strategic partners Chief Dull Knife College and Little Free Library. Special thanks go to John Macleod and Timothy B. with XR Libraries; iSchool Graduate Student Assistants Kelly Rausch, Anna Lyons, Sara Clair and Michele Atwater; iSchool Professor Darra Hofman and Assistant Professor Ulia Gosart; SJSU LTI Lab Coordinator Alfredo Alcantar; and Chase Allgood, for their extraordinary work to the project. 

The College also recognizes the essential contributions of iSchool Director Dr. Anthony Chow, whose leadership and vision continue to guide the iSchool toward bold innovation and impactful initiatives.

Leadership and Support

The iSchool’s recognition at The Anthem Awards reflects the strength of the broader SJSU community. The College also extends its gratitude to SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Brooklyn Public Library Chief Librarian Nicholas Higgins, Little Free Library Board President Nancy Wulkan, Texas student leader and advocate Da’Taeveyon Daniels, and grass dancer and representative of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and Chief Dull Knife tribal college student Sodizin MedicineBull for their support and involvement in the acceptance speech, showcasing the unity and vision that underpins this achievement. View their acceptance speech.

A Beacon of Innovation

The Anthem Awards celebrate groundbreaking and purpose-driven work, and XR VOICES stands as a shining example of how digital innovation can advance inclusivity and understanding. This award affirms the SJSU School of Information’s leadership in integrating emerging technologies into transformative educational experiences.

For more details about XR VOICES and The Anthem Awards, visit Anthem Awards 2024.

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Posted in Community, Equity and Diversity, iSchool

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