Upcoming Events: AI in Research Initiative

UPCOMING EVENTS: AI in Research Initiative

The Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will be hosting a series of “AI in Research” initiatives across UMass Amherst in 2026. This interdisciplinary initiative will include partners from across campus to inform, examine, and accelerate AI in research. The initiative will include bootcamps, workshops, community forums, and in-depth discussions related to AI across the research landscape. Interested faculty, student, and staff researchers are encouraged to reach out about presenting their recent work or experiences with AI.  Interested faculty, student, and staff researchers are encouraged to reach out about presenting their recent work or experiences with AI. 

 

This page will be updated with additional information as it emerges!

 

If you’re interested in speaking at a workshop or talk, or just interested in attending, please fill out the Interest Form. 

FILL OUT THE INTEREST FORM

AI Enablement Workshops

Introduction to AI and Machine Learning

Module 1

Lecture-style, no technical background required

Learn about the evolution of AI, from expert systems to classical machine learning, deep learning, and Generative AI.

Prompt Engineering: Skill-Based Training for LLMs

Module 2

Hands-on workshop

Learn how to get things done effectively with LLMs through practical prompting techniques. This module will cover prompting strategies, reusable prompt templates, and batch prompt processing using APIs.

Advanced LLMs: APIs, RAG, and Custom Workflows

Module 3

Intermediate technical workshop

Move beyond basic LLM usage by integrating models into customized research or workflow pipelines.

AI-Assisted Coding: Programming for Non-Programmers

Module 4

Hands-on workshop

Learn how non-programmers and occasional coders can use AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Claude, and Replit AI.

Custom LLMs and Fine-Tuning

Module 5

Advanced technical session in collaboration with Research Computing

Learn how to build, fine-tune, and deploy custom AI models using UMass Amherst’s Unity Research Computing Platform’s infrastructure.