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Emory hosts global university network meeting, showcasing leadership in artificial intelligence
representatives at meeting

Representatives on campus for the event included (L-R) Jane Gatewood, Emory Global Engagement; Katharina Fuchs-Bodde, University of Bonn; Birgit Ulrike Münch, University of Bonn; Brad MacKay, University of St Andrews; Samantha Lister, University of St Andrews; and Masahiko Gemma, Waseda University.

— Paul Beezley

Emory University recently welcomed senior leaders from four international institutions for the annual Global Universities for Societal Impact (GUSI) board meeting, hosted by Emory Global Engagement and the Halle Institute for Global Research and Learning in late June. The hybrid event brought together representatives from the University of Bonn, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of St Andrews and Waseda University, reinforcing a shared commitment to global collaboration in education, research, leadership and innovation.

The GUSI network was formed in 2023 with a joint Memorandum of Understanding, clustering expert knowledge and learning from each other through best practices. The partners share a common approach to internationalization and cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally on a range of projects designed to promote excellence in research and education and extend the partners’ global impact.

The current three-year GUSI theme — artificial intelligence — served as a focal point for discussions throughout the week. Emory’s leadership in this space was highlighted during an evening reception, where Lanny Liebeskind, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, expressed gratitude to partner universities and presented an overview of Emory’s AI.Humanity initiative. This university-wide effort integrates artificial intelligence across disciplines with a strong emphasis on ethical, human-centered development.

The reception featured presentations from key Emory experts, including Joe Sutherland, director of the Emory Center for AI Learning, who discussed the university’s approach to AI education and workforce readiness; Ujjwal Baid, director of research for the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, who represented Emory AI.Health and shared insights into the transformative role of AI in health care and medical research; and John Lysaker, director of the Emory Center for Ethics, who emphasized the importance of embedding ethical considerations into AI applications.

“This gathering of universities highlights the capacity for international partnerships to shape a more equitable and responsible AI future,” says Jane Gatewood, vice provost for Emory Global Engagement. “Emory is proud to continue strengthening these relationships to ensure global experiences and exchange for students, faculty and the wider community on cutting-edge topics and research.”

The GUSI network continues to develop as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, with AI as a unifying theme that transcends borders and academic disciplines. In addition to the GUSI meetings and board summit, the international partners met with various school and program representatives during their time at Emory, strengthened ongoing partnerships and participated in tours of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, and the Health Sciences Research Building (HSRB-II).

Learn more about the GUSI network.


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