AI Unlocked: Empowering Higher Education through Research and Discovery
When: June 2-3, 2026
Where: Denver, Colorado
Travel support is covered as part of the ACCESS Support grant #2138286.ACCESS is an advanced computing and data resource program supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure awards.
AI Unlockedprovides a unique opportunity forresearchers, educators, andstudentstolearn how tointegrateAI tools in research and classroom settings.
Registration is free for theday and a half-longevent, which is sponsored by and and University of Colorado, Boulder.
Agenda
Please note- we will have three rooms with simultaneous sessions. You will be able to move between rooms during breaks.
Tuesday, June 2
| Time | Room 1 – Ballroom | Room 2 – Platt River | Room 3 – Lawrence AB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00–9:00 | Breakfast | ||
| 9:00–9:30 | Introduction / Welcome | ||
| 9:30–9:45 | Shuffle Time | ||
| 9:45–11:15 | Tutorial AI Workflows on National Cyberinfrastructure Mats Rynge, Karan Vahi | Tutorial Deploying AI Models for Effective Inference Lonnie D. Crosby, Scientific Computing Group Leader, University of Tennessee / NICS | Tutorial Lowering the Barrier to AI Research: Reproducible Workflows Across Cloud and National Infrastructure Amanda Tan, Pavan Nara |
| 11:15–11:30 | Break | ||
| 11:30–12:00 | 30-Min Talk Prioritizing Evaluation over Content-Generation in AI through Frameworks for Trustworthiness and Controllability Prathyush Turga | 30-Min Talk Artificial Intelligence for All: Practical AI Literacy for Higher Education Nabeel Alzahrani | 30-Min Talk Before You Assign It, Audit It: A Privacy-First Framework for Evaluating AI Tools in the Higher Education Classroom Deepi Gupta |
| 12:00–1:00 | Lunch | ||
| 1:00–2:30 | Tutorial Introduction to AI-Assisted Coding: Prompt Engineering with LLMs in Google Colab Burch Fisher, Xiaoxu Guo | Tutorial AI Literacy for Innovation, Growth, and Networking (ALIGN): Impacting AI Integration at the Classroom, Campus, District, and State-Level Allen Antoine, Director of CS Education; Sofía De Jesús, CS Strategy Specialist | Tutorial Build Your Own AI Workflow for Research and Teaching Julian Pistorius, Javier Guaje |
| 2:30–2:45 | Break | ||
| 2:45–3:15 | 30-Min Talk Teaching Responsible AI Use in Graduate Research Workflows: A Framework for Transparency, Integrity, and Rigor in Proposal Development Jason Hans | 30-Min Talk Teaching with Real-World Interdisciplinary AI Projects Leveraging AI Tools Gulustan Dogan | 30-Min Talk Engineering Intuition, Judgment, and Taste in the Age of Generative AI Ellison Carter |
| 3:15–3:30 | 15-Min Talk Using AI for Literature Review: What Works and What Does Not Shibbir Ahmed | 15-Min Talk Providing AI Research Experiences (AIRE) to Postsecondary 鶹Ժ in Ohio Karen Tomko | 15-Min Talk AI as a Research Amplifier: Transforming Grant Development and Research Workflows in Business Schools Christina Baciu |
| 3:30–4:00 | 30-Min Talk GenAI Perspectives: Investigating Business Undergraduate Student Use of GenAI Tools in Information Seeking Joshua Herrington | 30-Min Talk Integration of Machine Learning Components in Undergraduate Heat Transfer Laboratory (MIME 3450): A Growth Mindset Approach to Authentic Learning Anju Gupta | Tutorial Augmenting the Research Lifecycle with Agentic AI: A Hands-On Tutorial for Grant and Scientific Manuscript Development Mayank Kejriwal, Zhisheng Tang |
| 4:00–5:00 | BOF Toward an AI Skills Inventory: Effectively Assessing Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Upskilling Interventions at Research Institutions Roy Prouty, Burch Fisher, Xiaoxu Guo, Sai Vikas Amaraneni | BOF From Task Force to Classroom: Charting AI Integration in the Liberal Arts & Sciences John Quinn, Professor of Biology and Earth, Environmental & Sustainability Science, Furman University | Tutorial (cont.) Augmenting the Research Lifecycle with Agentic AI: A Hands-On Tutorial for Grant and Scientific Manuscript Development Mayank Kejriwal, Zhisheng Tang |
| 5:00–5:30 | Regroup Time | ||
| 5:30–7:00 | Reception | ||
Wednesday, June 3
| Time | Room 1 – Ballroom | Room 2 | Room 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00–9:00 | Breakfast | ||
| 9:00–9:15 | Intro | ||
| 9:15–9:30 | Shuffle Time | ||
| 9:30–10:30 | BOF From FAIR to FAIR4AI: Open Science and Data Readiness for AI in Research Eric Sokol, Christine Laney, John Quinn | BOF Building Oregon's First B.S. in Artificial Intelligence: Curriculum Innovation for AI Workforce Readiness in Rural Higher Education Praveen Kumar Guraja, Manish Nalluri | 30-Min Talk AI Policies Across the USA: A 50-State Analysis of State Education Guidance Saffia Malallah |
| 10:30–11:00 | 30-Min Talk Mentoring Graduate 鶹Ժ in the Age of AI: Toward Ethical, Sustainable, and Human-Centered Research Practices Zhuangdi Zhu | 30-Min Talk Cloudbank Classroom – Teaching AI in JupyterHub Eric Van Dusen | 30-Min Talk Democratizing AI/ML Education Through HPC: The RCAC Anvil Notebook Classroom Resource Ibrahim Alshybani |
| 11:00–12:30 | Tutorial Introduction to Predictive Modeling: A Hands-On Machine Learning Tutorial Using Observational Environmental Data Dr. Xiaoxu Guo, Dr. Burch Fisher | Tutorial AI-Enabled Education and Research on the National Research Platform Mohammad Firas Sada, Daniel Diaz | Tutorial Teaching Code-Generation Courses with GitHub Copilot: A Hands-On Tutorial Informed by Software Engineering Practice Sumon Biswas, Shibbir Ahmed |
| 12:30–1:30 | Lunch To-go boxes will be available. | ||
Applicants were notified of acceptance and (if applicable) travel support via email starting on March 30, 2026.
Travel support is covered as part of the ACCESS Support grant #2138286.ACCESS is an advanced computing and data resource program supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure awards.
Travel support is available for economy flight and conference hotel (discounted group rate) standard room charges/taxes ONLY.
Costs will be reimbursed after the event rather than pre-paid.
- Any extension of travel dates for personal reasons is not reimbursable.
- Receipts must be received within 45 days of the workshop.
- Reimbursement checks will be sent via US mail to the home address you provide.
- Reimbursements take an average of 3-4 weeks.
Visa Holders:
- Visa holders may have taxes withheld prior to reimbursement.
- Tax amounts will vary by visa type.
- Visa holders will receive instructions by email.
You MUST arrive PRIOR to the workshop starts and depart AFTER the workshop ends.
Since the event is all day on June 2 and half day on the morning of June 3, most flights should generally arrive in Denver by the evening of June 1 and depart late afternoon or evening of June 3.
- NO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL is reimbursable. Domestic flights only.
- Travelers must book round-trip domestic basic ECONOMY flights between their home airport and the location of the workshop ONLY.Date extensions or flight deviations are not permitted.
- Travelers must arrive no sooner than the day before the workshop and depart the day the workshop ends.
- Travelers must choose the least expensive fare and most direct route possible for their schedule.
- Only ECONOMY flights are reimbursable. Passengers must cover any flight upgrades after the flight is booked (including seat selection and luggage).
- Book directly with the airline. Fees for third party booking sites are not reimbursable.
- All flights must be approved for reimbursement eligibility.
- Allow 45 minutes from hotel to airport and 2 hours for airport security at DIA.
- Emailaiworkshop@colorado.edu if you have any questions.
- Travelers may arrive the night before the workshop (June 1) and must depart the last day of the event (June 3) Lodging is available for the evenings of June 1 and 2 for attendees approved for travel support.
- We will send out the group discount code and reservation instructions to travel supported attendees. The is the approved hotel for the workshop. Hotelcosts will not be reimbursed at other hotels without approval. If you are unable to secure a room at The Westin (e.g. it is sold out), we require that you contact usaiworkshop@colorado.edu PRIOR to booking other lodging. We will need to discuss and pre-approve the alternate hotel selection to ensure reimbursement. Attendees not receiving travel support may book their lodging of choice. The conference hotel is located in downtown Denver.
- Single room occupancy only. Room sharing is not allowed. No split reimbursements.
- We reimburse for room and taxes only. Any incidental charges and/or upgrades are the traveler’s responsibility. Parking is not included in travel support.
- You must live more than 50 miles(via shortest route) from the workshop to be eligible for hotel reinbursement.
- The Westin Denver Downtown requires guests be at least 21 years old to reserve a room or check-in.
Please note: This is not an all-encompassing list., but anything other than economy airfare and discounted group rate standard room at Westin Denver Downtown is NOT approved for reimbursement. Please emailaiworkshop@colorado.edu with any questions.
- Reimbursements for cancellations, changes, or upgrades to flight or hotel reservations.
- Any trip extensions for purposes other than the workshop.
- Travel deviations such as starting and ending at different destinations (e.g. flying from Seattle to Denver, then Denver to Dallas. If you start in Seattle, you must return to Seattle.)
- Flight upgrades or add-ons, such as seat assignment or luggage fees.
- Private jets or leased planes
- Rental cars
- Hotel stays for travelers living within 50 miles (shortest distance) of the workshop location.
- AirBnBs
- Camping fees
- Parking fees
- Food, per diem or room service
- In room entertainment, such as movies
- Alcohol
- Laundry
- Mileage
- Ground transportation
- Travel insurance
Address: 1672 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80202 8
Phone: (303) 572.9100
Travel support recipients will receive hotel discount code via email.
PLEASE NOTE: Ground transportation is NOT included with travel support.
Distance From Hotel: 27.2 Miles
Transportation Options
- Airport Transportation: Denver Airport Shuttle $25.00 - One-way
Reservation Required:(303) 332.7307
- Airport Train Station to Union Station: ride the(approximately 37 minutes)
BoardThe A Line - located at the SOUTH end of the Jeppesen Terminal (main terminal), LEVEL 5 - adjacent to the Westin DIA Hotel.
Service Frequency:approximately every 15 minutes during peak hours (5:00 am-8:00 pm) and 30 minutes for early/late service.
Cost: Tickets for the Train Ride are $10.00. You can pre-purchase your train ticket on the app. Tickets can also be purchased on rail line platforms at ticket vending machines at the station, inside the Union Station or at any RTD sales outlet.
Download the freeThe app can also be found on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Getting from Union Station to the WESTIN Denver Downtown:
- Board the “16th Street Free Ride” from Union Station to Lawrence Street (6 blocks) or
- Walk 0.3 miles = about a 9 min walk heading SOUTH on 17th street.
PLEASE NOTE: Ground transportation is NOT included with travel support.
If you are driving:
1.The Westin Denver Downtown offers 24/7 valet parking and access to a connected self-park garage.
Valet Parking is available 24/7 at the hotel entrance.
For the most up-to-date valet parking rates, please contact the hotel directly at 303.572.9100
– It is also possible to purchase hourly parking at the Westin Denver Valet Only garage.
2. – Self Parking located at 1672 Lawrence Street. Operating Hours are 24/7
Meals will be provided during the workshop. All meals are buffet style and include gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options.
- Tuesday, June 2 includes breakfast, lunch, and an evening reception dinner.
- Wednesday, June 3 includes breakfastandlunch
Travel support does NOT include per diem, room service, alcohol or reimbursement for purchased meals.
The Westin also offers three dining options in-house, or explore Denver's most popular magazine, “,” for unique local spots to discover on your own.
If you have strict dietary restrictions or allergies, there is alsoa right across from Union Station, about 6 blocks from the hotel.
More information to come closer to event date.
You should have already completed the following steps to ensure access to the hands-on sessions.
Step 1:
Verify or Create Your ACCESS ID
To use the workshop computing resources, you must have an ACCESS account and be able to log in successfully using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) via Duo.
If you already have an ACCESS ID, please log in to the to confirm that your credentials work and that you can authenticate using MFA (Duo).
If you do not have an ACCESS ID, you can create one by visiting.
Step 2:
Once your account is created, ensure that you can log in to the portal and successfully authenticate using MFA (Duo).
Need Help Troubleshooting ACCESS ID and MFA Login Issues?
- If you have any issues with creating an ACCESS ID or logging in using MFA (Duo), please submit a support ticket using the link below.
- In the Summary field, enter: "Setting up ACCESS ID for NAIRR Workshop".
- In the Description section, please provide details about your problem so our support team can assist you promptly.
We will have a Slack Channel for the workshop. We will provide more information closer to the event.
Virtual participants will join the sessions via Zoom. We will provide more information closer to the event.