The Vanderbilt Data Science Institute opened its doors on April 18 for the Spring 2025 AI Showcase, transforming the 1400 18th Ave S. hub into a living laboratory of ideas. Spanning three buzzing sessions, the afternoon celebrated everything from climate policy analytics to museum-grade interactive art—proof that AI at Vanderbilt is as interdisciplinary as it is inventive.

Forget sit-and-listen lectures—this Showcase was a “walk-through of innovation.” Attendees roamed an exhibition floor of hands-on demos, live visualizations, and rapid-fire Q&A, meeting creators one-on-one. The vibe? Part science fair, part startup launch, entirely electric. Industry guests rubbed shoulders with undergrads, faculty mentors brainstormed with alumni, and every table invited “try it yourself” exploration.

From brainwaves to brushstrokes, this semester’s lineup pushed AI into new territory:

• Neuroscience & Health – Real-time EEG-to-fMRI translation makes high-resolution neuroimaging more accessible.
• Time Management – A mobile planner that optimizes schedules through adaptive learning.
• Climate Policy – A platform tracking global legislation and surfacing actionable insights for decision-makers.
• Arts & Culture – An interactive Frist Museum partnership exploring identity through AI-generated portraits.
• Digital Health – A medication adherence coach that learns from daily habits and nudges users at the right moment.

First Place ($1,000) – Deaf Lingo
Lane Burgett (Undergraduate, School of Engineering)
An interactive sign-language platform that uses computer vision to give instant feedback on signing technique, blending accessibility and AI to close the communication gap.

First Runner-Up ($500) – EEG-to-fMRI
Yamin Li (Graduate Student, School of Engineering)
A scalable framework predicting whole-brain activity from EEG signals, poised to democratize high-fidelity neuroimaging.

Second Runner-Up ($200) – MediCheck
Jimmy B. & Haoran Qin (Undergraduates, School of Engineering)
A personal medication advisor that tailors dosage reminders and detects potential interactions—bringing AI to the pillbox.

Beyond applause and prize ribbons, the Showcase acted as a networking magnet. Recruiters scouted talent, researchers forged cross-department collaborations, and Nashville tech leaders discovered fresh pipelines for innovation. Many projects began scheduling follow-up pilots before teardown even started.

If Spring 2025 proved anything, it’s that Vanderbilt’s AI community doesn’t wait for the future—it prototypes it. Expect the Fall 2025 Showcase to be even more daring, with bigger collaborations, deeper industry ties, and a continued focus on real-world impact.

Don’t miss the next round of breakthroughs. Follow the Data Science Institute on social media, join our mailing list, and mark your calendar for the Fall 2025 AI Showcase. Questions about presenting, sponsoring, or attending? Reach us at datascience@vanderbilt.edu.