How Purdue is Using AI for Good — Computer Science Professor Alex Psomas Explains

Summary

Summary of "How Purdue is Using AI for Good — Computer Science Professor Alex Psomas Explains"

Podcast Information:

Title: This Is Purdue
Host/Author: Purdue University
Description: This podcast highlights stories of Boilermakers who leverage research, innovation, and determination to make significant contributions across various disciplines.
Episode: How Purdue is Using AI for Good — Computer Science Professor Alex Psomas Explains
Release Date: April 3, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of This Is Purdue, host Kate Young interviews Assistant Professor Alex Psomas from Purdue University's College of Science. Professor Psomas discusses his pioneering work in using artificial intelligence (AI) to combat food insecurity, focusing on the Food Drop Initiative. This initiative exemplifies how AI can be harnessed for societal good, particularly in optimizing food distribution to those in need.

Alex Psomas' Background and Journey to Purdue

Professor Alex Psomas shares his journey from his childhood in Greece to becoming a distinguished computer science professor at Purdue University. Growing up in a close-knit community, Alex was always fascinated by how things work, a curiosity sparked by his father’s work with stainless steel tanks. “I was always into how things work,” he says at [03:29].

Migrating to the United States for graduate studies, Alex attended Berkeley before joining Purdue. He recounts his first impression of Purdue as a place where impactful research coexists with a supportive and stress-free environment. “[...] it felt like everyone felt supported. My experience as well is the same. So it has lived up to this expectation” ([05:54]).

Understanding AI: A Broad Umbrella of Tools

When asked to define AI for beginners, Alex emphasizes that AI encompasses a wide range of tools and applications. He likens AI to an expansive category where diverse technologies fall under a single umbrella. “AI is a set of tools for all sorts of things. The AI umbrella is so large, so many things fit under it” ([06:42]). He highlights that AI includes reasoning, learning, knowledge representation, and language processing, among other functions.

The Food Drop Initiative: AI Tackling Food Insecurity

A significant portion of the episode delves into the Food Drop Initiative, a collaboration between Alex’s team and the Indie Hunger Network in Indianapolis. This project aims to reduce food waste by efficiently matching surplus food donations from truck drivers to local food banks, thereby preventing edible food from ending up in landfills.

Alex explains, “The idea was very simple. You had these truck drivers... and instead of taking it to a landfill, now you're matching the food to food banks” ([09:53]). The initiative utilizes AI to automate the matching process, ensuring that food distribution is both logical and fair. This automation removes emotional biases from the decision-making process, allowing for more equitable distribution of resources.

Impact and Scalability of AI Solutions

The implementation of AI in the Food Drop Initiative has several benefits. It significantly reduces the time and effort required by human operators, allowing food banks to serve more people effectively. “We can process donations a lot faster because a human doesn't have to sit around trying to call people on the phone” ([14:05]).

Furthermore, the model developed by Alex’s team is open-source, enabling easy scalability beyond Indiana. Organizations in other states, such as Washington, can adopt the same system with minimal adjustments. “They didn't have to train anybody. They could just immediately take this on because there's nothing to do, there's nothing they need to learn” ([14:31]).

Ethical Considerations and Fairness in AI

Addressing concerns about ethics in AI, Alex confidently asserts the fairness of his AI models. He explains that by abstracting real-world complexities into manageable models, fairness can be mathematically defined and proven. “The only disagreement can come... whether they disagree with what I mean when I say fair” ([16:17]).

Alex emphasizes the importance of transparency and openness in his research, inviting scrutiny and feedback to ensure ethical standards are maintained. “Because everything is open, you can go read my paper. I'm open to feedback” ([17:24]).

Mentoring and Teaching: Inspiring the Next Generation

Professor Psomas is passionate about mentoring students, encouraging them to pursue what excites them rather than directing them toward his own interests. “I do something that is very difficult for them. So they're all very annoyed, which is tell them everything under the sun that I'm excited about, not one thing. So, you know, 50 things and then let them pick” ([18:15]).

He believes that fostering student interest and passion is crucial for innovation and progress in rapidly evolving fields like AI and computer science.

Purdue’s Leadership in AI and Computer Science

Alex highlights Purdue’s longstanding reputation in computer science, being home to the first computer science program in the U.S. This legacy positions Purdue at the forefront of AI research and innovation. He points out the diverse expertise within Purdue, from computer vision and robotics to AI security and human-computer interaction. “Computer science has a really big place in Purdue as a whole. Purdue is at the forefront of all sorts of things” ([20:56]).

Purdue Computes Initiative: A Strategic Approach to AI

Professor Psomas discusses Purdue President Meng Chang's strategic initiative, Purdue Computes, which focuses on expanding computing-related research and education. This initiative encompasses four key pillars: computing, semiconductor research and development, physical AI, and quantum science and engineering. Alex appreciates the collaborative environment fostered by Purdue Computes, enabling interdisciplinary projects and leveraging collective expertise. “Having all these cool people doing cool stuff makes everything go a lot faster” ([22:21]).

Future Prospects and Continued Innovation

Looking ahead, Alex expresses optimism about the continual advancements in AI and its applications across various sectors, including agriculture, medicine, and robotics. He credits Purdue’s collaborative culture for driving these innovations and maintaining the university’s leadership in the AI landscape. “[...] we're really a part of all the exciting things that are happening in the AI space” ([25:08]).

Conclusion: Embracing AI with Open Minds

In closing, Professor Psomas urges listeners to move beyond AI buzzwords and embrace learning about the technology. “Be less scared and more open to learning how these things work because, you know, it's not going anywhere” ([25:33]). His message emphasizes the inevitability of AI integration into daily life and the importance of understanding its capabilities and limitations.

Notable Quotes:

Alex Psomas on AI as a Tool: “AI is a set of tools for all sorts of things. The AI umbrella is so large, so many things fit under it.” ([06:42])
On the Food Drop Initiative: “Instead of taking it to a landfill, now you're matching the food to food banks.” ([09:53])
Ethics and Fairness in AI: “The only disagreement can come... whether they disagree with what I mean when I say fair.” ([16:17])
Mentoring Philosophy: “I do something that is very difficult for them. So they're all very annoyed, which is tell them everything under the sun that I'm excited about, not one thing.” ([18:15])
Embracing AI: “Be less scared and more open to learning how these things work because, you know, it's not going anywhere.” ([25:33])

Conclusion

This episode of This Is Purdue offers a comprehensive look into how Purdue University is leveraging AI to address critical societal issues like food insecurity. Through Professor Alex Psomas' insightful discussion, listeners gain an understanding of the practical applications, ethical considerations, and collaborative efforts that drive meaningful change. Purdue’s commitment to innovation and community support shines through, showcasing the university as a leader in the responsible use of AI for the greater good.