UT Knoxville Researcher Advocates for “Human-Centered” AI Innovation
Dr. Anahita Khojandi, a professor at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, is spearheading a research initiative focused on “human-centered” AI. Her work addresses the concern that AI systems, while efficient, often lack the ability to understand the subtle values and context that go into human decision-making.
In her courses, students work with real-world data from local partners, including the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The goal is to build AI that doesn’t replace the expert, but rather “empowers human judgment” in fields like sepsis detection and chronic disease management.
By keeping “humans firmly at the center,” Dr. Khojandi argues that we can build more trustworthy systems that people are actually willing to use in high-stakes environments like hospitals and power plants.
Why this matters for The Knoxville AI Hub
This research is vital for local educators and parents who are concerned about the “dehumanizing” aspects of technology. It highlights that UT Knoxville is training the next generation of engineers to think ethically about AI. For Knoxville residents, it provides reassurance that the AI tools being developed locally for our hospitals and utilities are designed with human safety and values as the priority.
For more detailed information, you can read the full story here: Research Rock Stars: Anahita Khojandi Puts People at the Center of AI Innovation – Research, Innovation & Economic Development
