by Shelby Hodel

On Friday, Oct. 25, the UF College of Health & Human Performance hosted its second annual AI Day exploring how human-powered AI solutions advance the human experience. The event offered attendees a chance to engage with cutting-edge AI research from the college and connect with industry professionals. It also marked the kickoff of UF’s annual AI Days, which continued the following week.

Garrett Beatty, Ph.D., assistant dean for innovation & entrepreneurship and instructional associate professor in the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, opened the event with a welcome address, celebrating the Florida Gym’s 75th anniversary and setting the stage for the day’s exploration of AI’s impact on the human experience.

“I take on the role of AI optimist,” Beatty said. “No matter how great these tools get, no matter how fast they are, there's no shortcut to greatness, no shortcut to expertise. It’s just going to change the way humans interact and use tools to get there.”

This year’s keynote speaker, Colby Kash, D.C. (BSAPK’17), the chief executive officer and co-founder of Camelot BioCapital, explored the great potential of AI in biotechnology. He provided an overview of AI’s role in advancing the biomedical field, highlighting several companies that have partnered with Camelot, including SandboxAQ and iOncologi. These partnerships are driving innovative research in areas such as stem cell research and psychiatric treatment that showcase how AI is shaping the future of healthcare.

“Today, we started by talking about the landscape of human history and where we are today, right here with just exponential growth,” Kash said. “We then talked about real-world applications of how we're using AI to make real change, hopefully, to get these drugs to patients in need.”

Following the keynote, a panel shared insights on applying AI within their respective disciplines, from hospitality to sports. The panelists included Kristy Boyer, Ph.D., a professor in computer information science and engineering; Ron Gromoll, an instructional assistant professor in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management; Scott Nestler, Ph.D., a professor of practice in the Department of Sport Management; and Celeste Wilkins, Ph.D., a research assistant scientist in biomedical engineering.

A highlight of the session included a live demonstration showcasing the predictive power of AI tools like ChatGPT. The demonstration illustrated how these tools can forecast sports analytics, including metrics such as Wins Above Replacement.

To close out the event, Beatty delivered closing remarks, underscoring HHP’s ongoing AI initiatives, research efforts and academic programs and courses. He highlighted vital collaborations, including the UF & Sport Collaborative, the Institute for Coaching Excellence and the UF Astrateus Space Institute, all working at the forefront of AI innovation. 

The event concluded with announcing the scholarship competition results, which challenged students to compose AI-generated songs. The winning entry, “Shining Bright in Florida,” was composed by doctoral student Ying-Chen (Anny) Chen from the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management, showcasing the creative potential of AI-powered music composition.

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