Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee University has been awarded a $699,999 research grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare through a three-year research initiative focused on improving the safety, transparency, and reliability of AI-assisted medical technologies.
The project, titled "Excellence in Research: Trustworthy AI for Healthcare: Evidence-Grounded, Compliant, Human-in-the-Loop," is housed within the Department of Computer Science in the Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science.
The research team will develop AI systems capable of generating responses grounded in reliable evidence, supporting compliance with clinical guidelines and regulatory requirements, and incorporating meaningful human oversight into high-risk healthcare decision-making. By combining evidence-based reasoning, compliance-aware AI methodologies, and human-in-the-loop collaboration, the project aims to improve confidence in AI technologies used across healthcare settings.
"This grant is another byproduct of Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era and represents a major milestone in our progress as leaders in shaping the future of AI in higher education," said Dr. Thierno Thiam, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. "Beyond the immediate impact of supporting critical advances in trustworthy AI for healthcare, this grant strengthens our institution's research capacity and reinforces our commitment to our R2 mission."
Assistant Professor Dr. Baiyun Chen serves as the project's principal investigator. She is joined by co-principal investigators Dr. Fan Wu and Dr. Kai Koong, along with senior personnel Dr. Mohammad Rahman and Dr. Kushagra. The initiative also includes a research collaboration with the University of North Texas, bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and healthcare informatics.
"This award reflects Tuskegee University's continued commitment to conducting research that addresses real-world challenges while preparing the next generation of innovators," said Dr. Sean Edmund Rogers, Dean of the Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science. "Tuskegee's Brimmer College of Business and Information Science uniquely brings together computer science and business scholars to explore discoveries that will shape the future of work. Professor Chen and her team's AI trustworthiness research is a great example of leading-edge innovation that will enhance industry practices and societal outcomes."
"This project creates a meaningful opportunity to expand faculty-led research while providing our students with hands-on experience tackling some of healthcare's most pressing artificial intelligence challenges,” said Dr. Fan Wu, Department Head of Computer Science. “Through this work, we are building the next generation of researchers and innovators equipped to develop responsible AI solutions with real-world impact.”
In addition to advancing research, the grant will expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in interdisciplinary research, at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, and data science, as well as faculty mentorship, and workforce development.
The NSF award further reinforces Tuskegee University's growing leadership in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data-driven healthcare innovation while supporting the institution's mission of advancing knowledge through research, education, and service.
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