Data and AI

Notre Dame scholars bring ethical and moral principles to bear on the emerging technology that will shape our future.

Close-up of densely packed yellow, gray, red, and black cables connecting to dark network hardware. Many cables feature white alphanumeric labels, showing an intricate and organized IT system.
  • An Indian man and a white woman sit facing the camera in red rolling chairs around a small glass table. The room has red walls, a patterned carpet, potted plants, and a bookshelf visible in the background. They appear to be in a casual conversation or interview setting.

    Podcast

    Artificial intelligence for the common good

    In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Nitesh Chawla, founding director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Amid growing concerns about AI’s societal impacts, Chawla emphasizes a proactive and inclusive approach to leveraging this technology for good. From addressing biases in AI systems to creating global solutions for health care and poverty, his work exemplifies Notre Dame’s mission to advance the human condition through interdisciplinary collaboration. He also discusses how Notre Dame’s holistic educational approach empowers students to use data and AI ethically and responsibly to tackle complex global challenges.

  • A smiling woman with glasses and brown hair pulled back stands in front of a dark blue background with abstract white digital lines and binary code.

    Podcast

    A human-centered framework for AI ethics

    13 minutes

    In this episode, Meghan Sullivan explains the DELTA framework, a human-centered approach to AI ethics—and why the choices we make today will define how this powerful technology shapes our future.

  • Close up image of a lot of microchips, showing the detail of the etched leprechaun.

    Article

    The chip makers

    Each year, a group of Notre Dame students receives a massive—though tiny—challenge: Build a semiconductor chip inside Notre Dame's nanofabrication facility.

Article

Shedding light on the dark web

Computer science professor advances artificial intelligence to dismantle complex networks on the dark web.

An Asian woman in a blue blouse gestures while presenting research on opioid overdose risks to students in a classroom. Students seated at computers listen or work independently.
  • A lighthouse and buildings are built into the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean on a foggy day.

    Article

    Clearing up predictions

    Notre Dame engineer studies coastal fog to improve weather forecasting

  • A person is silhouetted as they walk down a dark hallway between computer servers with blinking lights.

    Article

    Fighting the spread of misinformation

    As misinformation spreads rapidly across social media, Notre Dame computer scientist Tim Weninger is uncovering how small groups of accounts can manipulate social media algorithms to shape what millions of people see and believe. His research is helping develop tools that could make social networks more resilient to propaganda and misinformation.

Notre Dame experts on artificial intelligence

Notre Dame experts reflect on the opportunities, concerns and impacts of Artificial Intelligence on different fields—including entertainment and media, the arts, politics, the labor market, education and business.

Notre Dame experts on AI

  1. Orange light paths branch and spiral across a textured blue surface made of triangular patterns.

    News

    Using geometry, researchers coax light into 6G terahertz “super-antenna”

    Engineers have long focused their efforts on confining signal-carrying photons to chips. Every photon that escapes, they reasoned, is information lost. But one group of researchers has stood that paradigm on its head.

  2. A person in blue gloves carefully pipettes liquid into a clear round culture dish containing a square and circular well, on a dark lab bench.

    News

    Notre Dame researchers to advance biothreat surveillance, containment, and operational preparedness

    Three faculty teams have been selected as the first recipients of awards from the Notre Dame Biothreat Surveillance, Containment, & Operational Preparedness Engine (ND-BIOSCOPE) Accelerator Fund, which fosters and further develops Notre Dame’s expertise in biothreat detection, surveillance, and countermeasure development. A cross-disciplinary initiative of the Berthiaume Institute for Precision...

  4. Five people, four masked, stand in a sheltered area. A woman in an embroidered blouse holds bundles of red and blue yarn.

    News

    Community-Engaged, Interdisciplinary Research as a Platform for Student Excellence and Social Impact

    The Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society advances research excellence by embedding interdisciplinary collaboration and undergraduate research training within projects that address the needs of historically underserved populations.

  6. A utility pole and weather station are adorned with bright Christmas lights, a star, red ornaments, and an elf in snow at twilight.

    News

    Shedding Light on Ice Fog in the Darkness of Polar Night

    Notre Dame researchers in Alaska are studying ice fog, a poorly understood arctic phenomenom that severely reduces visibility and makes travel dangerous, using advanced sensors and weather balloons to improve forecasting and aviation safety.

  7. TA bald man in glasses, dark suit, and light blue shirt speaks at a microphone, holding up a white spiral booklet of logos.

    News

    EARTH

    A New Way to View the Blue Sky

  8. A stylized businessman in a white shirt and black suit runs up a white path. A hand holds a gray upward arrow, connecting to the path like a puzzle piece, symbolizing assisted progress on an orange background.

    News

    Solving the mentorship gap in emerging markets

    A Notre Dame team is piloting an AI-driven mentor to bring affordable, on-demand business advice to entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional support.

  11. A large group of diverse people, including men and women in suits and dresses, and religious figures in habits and cassocks, stand smiling on stone steps in front of an ornate, light-colored historic building with intricate carvings.

    News

    Notre Dame Faculty Contribute to Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence at the Vatican

    Fifty global experts gathered at the Vatican's historic Casina Pio IV on October 16–17 to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human dignity. The conference, “Digital Rerum Novarum: Artificial Intelligence for Peace, Social Justice, and Integral Human Development," was co-sponsored by Notre Dame Law School and...

  14. Four men in suits, smiling, stand against a dark purple backdrop featuring the 'United Against Online Abuse' logo. From left, a man in a blue suit, one in a gray plaid blazer, one in a dark suit with a red tie, and one in a dark suit with a blue tie.

    News

    University of Notre Dame and FIA team up to reduce online abuse in sports

    The University of Notre Dame has announced a research collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to lead an initiative addressing the rising threat of online abuse in sports. As the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations globally, the FIA champions safety and fairness —...

  16. Warehouse worker in a knit cap and vest holds a tablet between aisles of stacked goods.

    News

    New report provides AI policy roadmap to prioritize workers

    Law firms embrace artificial intelligence to streamline research. Human resource leaders use it to plan. And manufacturing companies deploy it for quality assurance. AI is now everywhere in the workplace, but what does that mean for workers? Will fast-changing technologies amplify their impact or take their jobs? Notre Dame’s Keough...

  17. A bright green Veiled chameleon, facing right, features a prominent head crest and a spiky back. Magenta lines highlight its eye, crest, and facial contours on its textured skin.

    News

    Computer scientist Chaoli Wang democratizes 3D visualization with new software system s

    Chaoli Wang and his team have created an AI powered system that lets users explore complex 3D data using simple voice or text commands. This award winning software makes advanced visualization faster, more interactive, and accessible to non-experts.

  18. A complex, multi-tiered quantum computer dilution refrigerator, gleaming in gold and silver, with intricate wiring, vertical rods, and a soft blue glow emanating from within.

    News

    ND grad student fuses classical and quantum computing to improve skin disease diagnosis

    A Notre Dame graduate student has developed HybridQ, a groundbreaking classical-quantum AI model that generates images of skin diseases to improve early diagnosis. By expanding and diversifying limited medical datasets, the technology moves quantum computing one step closer to real-world use in dermatology.

  19. Bj 11

    News

    Notre Dame joins consortium to support responsible artificial intelligence

    The University ​​will be one of more than 200 leading AI stakeholders helping to advance the development and deployment of safe, trustworthy AI. Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame Extraordinary technological innovations have driven an expansion in artificial intelligence (AI) use. At the same time, they have brought little-understood risks to...

  20. Web-based health literacy tool

    News

    Artificial intelligence tool could increase patient health literacy, study shows

    A federal rule that requires health care providers to offer patients free, convenient and secure electronic access to their personal medical records went into effect earlier this year. However, providing patients with access to clinician notes, test results, progress documentation and other records doesn’t automatically equip them to understand those...

  21. 4x4 Circle Template Tai 4 2023

    News

    A recipe for trustworthy artificial intelligence

    This week, a group of tech industry leaders issued an open letter, warning of the looming threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI), comparing them to the risk of “pandemics and nuclear war.” The open letter is just one of many recent attempts to draw attention to situations in which AI...

  22. Yong Suk Lee Horizontal

    News

    AI can alert urban planners and policymakers to cities’ decay

    More than two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050, according to the United Nations. As urbanization advances around the globe, researchers at the University of Notre Dame and Stanford University said the quality of the urban physical environment will become increasingly critical to human...

  23. Headshot of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a blue blazer, next to a smiling woman with pink glasses and a pink knit top.

    News

    Faculty directors appointed to lead strategic initiatives on Data, AI, and Computing and Global Catholic Research Initiative

    Provost John McGreevy has appointed Nitesh Chawla to lead a new Data, AI & Computing Initiative and Kathleen Sprows Cummings to direct its Gloabl Catholic Research Initiative under the University's 2033 Strategic Framework. These appointments aim to strengthen interdisciplinary research and position Notre Dame as a leader in AI innovation and global Catholic scholarship.

  24. Black blocks with white lettering spell

    News

    ‘Prebunking’ false election claims may boost trust in elections

    Brian Fogarty, associate professor of the practice at the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society and concurrent associate professor of the practice in the Department of Political Science. (Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame) In recent years, democracies worldwide have seen a growing erosion of trust in election...

  25. Five students stand beside a blue and orange ”Digital Privacy“ poster from Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame, listing privacy questions.

    News

    Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins team up to bring digital privacy and AI literacy education to the Smithsonian

    Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins researchers have collaborated to bring an interactive AI-powered privacy exhibit to the Smithsonian, inviting visitors to step into synthetic personas and explore the consequences of sharing personal data online. This NSF funded project uses empathy-driven design to help families better understand digital privacy, safety, and responsbile AI.

  26. Headshot of a smiling woman with dark hair, wearing a gray cardigan over a red top.

    News

    Fang Liu appointed director of the Lucy Family Institute Health Data Exploration & Analytics Lab

    Fang Liu has been appointed director of Notre Dame's Health Data Exploration & Analytics Lab (HEAL) within the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society. A leading expert in statistical machine learning and privacy, she will guide AI-driven, interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing equitable health solutions.

  27. Headshot of a smiling man with short brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a dark blue suit and plaid tie.

    News

    The Institute for Educational Initiatives at Notre Dame Launches Free Math App to Help Teachers Strengthen Students' Understanding of Numbers and Operations

    Researchers at Notre Dame's Institute for Educational Initiatives have launched the Number Sense Assessment, a free, research-based math app that helps teachers in grades 3 and up to quickly identify gaps in student understanding and strengthen instruction in core math concepts. Backed by NSF funding and developed with the Lucy Family Institute, the 10 minute tool delivers immediate insights to strengthen classroom instruction nationwide.

  28. The Golden Dome of the Main Building at the University of Notre Dame, framed by a walkway and large green trees.

    News

    University of Notre Dame and IBM Research build tools for AI governance

    Notre Dame and IBM Research have developed BenchmarkCards, a new framework to improve transparency and accountability in AI benchmarking. Now integrated into IBM's open-source Risk Atlas Nexus, the tool helps developers build safer, more trustworthy AI systems.

  29. Project Sampoorna logo of two silhouettes of children pointing up to a green leaf within a yellow circle, with text underneath.

    News

    Notre Dame's Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child and Lucy Family Institute Launch App to Empower Nearly 7,000 Teachers Across India

    The Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC), part of the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI), has partnered with the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society to launch a new mobile app designed to strengthen teaching and learning in schools across India.

  30. Digital globe surrounded by binary code, with a silhouette of a person and a robot shaking hands over the letters “FM” and a molecule.

    News

    Notre Dame's Foundation Models and Applications Lab catalyzes interdisciplinary AI advancements across research and education domains

    Notre Dame has launched the Foundation Models and Applications Lab (FMAL) to advance interdisciplinary AI research and real-world applications. Led by Meng Jiang and Xiangliang Zhang, the lab develops adaptable foundation models to tackle challenges in science, health, education, and beyond.

  31. A worker wearing protective gear welds in a factory, generating bright sparks and smoke.

    News

    Federally funded research explores how AI tools can improve manufacturing worker safety, product quality

    Researchers found that while AI shows promise in assessing real-world welds, models must be fine-tuned with industry-specific data to perform reliably in production settings.

  32. Headshot of a smiling man with a beard and glasses, wearing a blue button-down shirt.

    News

    Lucy Family Institute, Health Department identify youth vaping intervention strategies for St. Joseph County

    The Lucy Family Institute and St. Joseph County Health Department are using data-driven insights to combat rising youth vaping rates. Through geospatial analysis and community research, the team identified target, tech-based intervention strategies to improve health outcomes for local middle and high school students.

  33. Large, colorful, painted letters spelling “HIFG” stand in front of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez building.

    News

    Notre Dame researchers partner with Mexico hospital to develop childhood cancer care monitoring tool

    Notre Dame researchers have partnered with Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómmez to develop SaludConectaMX, a digital monitering tool designed to support children undergoing cancer treatment. The app connects clinicians and caregivers to track symptoms, improve communication, and enhance care for families in low-resource communities.

  36. A woman with long dark hair stands with crossed arms in an office, with two computer screens and a bookshelf behind her.

    News

    Smarter tools for policymakers: Notre Dame researchers target urban carbon emissions, building by building

    Notre Dame researchers have developed EcoSphere, an AI-powered platform that helps policymakers reduce urban carbon emissions. By combining large scale simulations with data, the tool enables smarter, data-driven decisions for more sustainable cities.

  37. Mohammad Rashidujjaman Rifat, an expdrt on ethical AI and human-computer interaction at the University of Notre Dame, is pictured.

    News

    Exploring ethical AI: Scholar advocates for inclusive, community-centered design 

    As a researcher, Mohammad Rashidujjaman Rifat can see the blind spots in today’s technologies, and he’s eager to work with marginalized communities to address them. He can explain, for instance, why artificial intelligence often fails to include indigenous perspectives, or how a well-meaning campaign to curb digital hate speech ultimately...

  38. Warehouse worker in a knit cap and vest holds a tablet between aisles of stacked goods.

    News

    New report provides AI policy roadmap to prioritize workers

    Law firms embrace artificial intelligence to streamline research. Human resource leaders use it to plan. And manufacturing companies deploy it for quality assurance. AI is now everywhere in the workplace, but what does that mean for workers? Will fast-changing technologies amplify their impact or take their jobs? Notre Dame’s Keough...

  39. The snow-covered Golden Dome of the Main Building at the University of Notre Dame on a bright winter day.

    News

    College of Arts & Letters launches ND Population Analytics to accelerate policy-relevant work through big data

    Notre Dame's College of Arts & Letters has launched ND Population Analytics (ND Pop) to advance policy-relevant research on pressing demographic issues like poverty, inequality, and health. By leveraging data and interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative aims to inform real-world solutions and strengthen the University's impact on national policy.

  40. Headshot of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a gray plaid jacket, blue shirt, and patterned tie, outdoors.

    Video

    ND :30 - Mike Hildreth

    After playing a key role in discovering the Higgs Boson, physicist Michael Hildreth focuses on precision measurement of higgs properties and the potential impact. To handle the complexity of scientific discoveries, he also leads a team developing software to preserve scientific knowledge. And wider access to knowledge will spur faster discoveries.

Discover and engage
  1. Smiling man with gray hair wearing a navy blazer, light blue dress shirt, and blue striped tie with orange accents, seated in a conference room with artwork and a monitor visible in the blurred background.

    Article

    A dignity movement

    2026 Laetare Medalist Timothy Shriver

  2. Smiling older man with short gray hair wearing a gray blazer and light blue shirt, set against a deep blue background overlaid with colorful financial candlestick chart graphics in teal, pink, and red.

    Podcast

    How do you measure success?

    Mendoza professor Joe Holt joins Jenna Liberto to talk purpose-driven goals, meaningful work, and redefining success.

  3. Students and three priests in white vestments gather for a night mass around a lit snow chapel and altar, snow-covered Sorin Hall in background.

    Photo Essay

    Between winter and spring

    The month in photos, February 2026

  4. Side-by-side black and white portraits. On the left, a man with wavy hair and a patterned blazer is shown in a grainy halftone style. On the right, Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., in a clerical collar, looks thoughtfully to the left.

    Article

    The press vs. the power

    Observer founder Robert Sam Anson had a contentious yet strong relationship with ND President Father Hesburgh.

  5. A woman with short dark hair smiles slightly while looking off-camera. She wears a brown, fleece-lined winter jacket. In the background, snow rests on dried plants in front of a tan brick wall.

    Podcast

    Cold plunges and unicorns

    Anthropologist Cara Ocobock reveals what extreme cold reveals about our bodies and human resilience, and why hunting a “unicorn” is harder than it looks.

  6. A snow-covered parking lot at the University of Notre Dame. Dozens of cars are buried under thick mounds of white snow, with one yellow Jeep featuring an ND logo on the spare tire cover visible amidst the winter landscape.

    Photo Essay

    Plunging into winter

    The month in photos, January 2026

  7. A wooden mannequin is manipulated like a marionette by two large, silhouetted hands from above. The background is divided vertically down the center into solid blue and red sections, symbolizing themes of control and political polarization.

    Article

    Are we social media's puppets?

    Peacebuilder Lisa Schirch believes better tech platforms can bolster democracy.

  8. Aerial view of the University of Notre Dame campus covered in snow at sunset. The Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart spire stand against a vibrant orange sky above snow-dusted rooftops and a central quad with intersecting walkways.

    Article

    Sustainers of hope: How Notre Dame pursued breakthroughs for a world in need in 2025

    The year in review.

  9. A bright lightning bolt flashes down behind the dark spire of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the illuminated Golden Dome of Notre Dame's Main Building under a grey, stormy sky.

    Photo Essay

    25 images of 2025

    From the changing built environment to the changing seasons, every one of the 365 days of 2025 looked different.