When Can AI Strengthen Human, Relational Skills? Insights from Testing AI-Enabled Training for Novice Therapists 

Wednesday September 23 | 12p-1p | 1400 18th Ave S A2009

AI is increasingly being explored as a way to address the growing global demand for mental health services, particularly by augmenting the training and supervision of therapists and other care providers. This week one of LIVE's newest faculty members, Ryan Louie, will share insights from developing and evaluating AI-enabled training tools that use techniques such as natural language processing, conversational simulation, and feedback generation systems to help learners practice core therapy skills. 

These systems are intended to expand access to effective, human-led care rather than replace therapeutic relationships. Ryan will also discuss how expert co-design and validation, experimental studies with learners, implementation within real-world educational settings shape the tools’ usability, effectiveness, and adoption.  Join us Wednesday to learn more. Pizza and drinks provided.

LIVE Ignite Tech Development Grants

LIVE Ignite Tech Development Grants provide concentrated support from LIVE’s research engineer to bring innovative learning technology ideas to life or help existing tools take bold new steps forward. These grants are designed to support projects that demonstrate clear conceptual value, pragmatic goals, anticipated impact, and feasibility. 

A focus area for the 2026 application cycle is the Vanderbilt's Meta Virtual Reality CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment). Vanderbilt faculty, research scientists, postdocs, and graduate or undergraduate students from any college are eligible to apply

Ignite Proposals Due This Wednesday

2 New Funding Opportunities

2027 Tools Competition

As generative AI becomes increasingly embedded in education and everyday life, the field is shifting from experimentation toward a focus on what works in real learning environments.

The seventh cycle of the 2027 Tools Competition will support research-informed tools and public infrastructure that help learners track progress and identify next steps; strengthen educator practice; make learning more engaging, learner-driven, and connected to real-world contexts; support educational and career transitions; advance shared resources for trustworthy innovation; and embed safety, privacy, and responsible use into design and implementation.

Proposals should demonstrate not only what AI can enable, but how it can be effectively, responsibly, and sustainably implemented.

Humanity AI 

Humanity AI has announced a call for funding to support community-led efforts in three issue areas central to Humanity AI’s work. By community-led, we mean those most affected by the technological changes are defining the goals, shaping the approach, and driving the work. 

Within the issue areas below, Humanity AI aims to fund work that adopts one of these three approaches: 1) Shaping how AI is built, governed, and used; 2) Building AI on community terms; and 3) Challenging AI that doesn’t serve communities

Education: Shaping AI around the best interests of students, educators, and communities to develop and expand knowledge, strengthen how people learn, and safeguard against risks to humans. We are particularly interested in work led by students, educators, and the organizations who represent them.

Oct 7

Against the Singularity Hypothesis: Why AI May Not Become Superintelligent

David Thorstad, College of Arts & Science

Oct 14

Beyond Emotion Recognition: Expressions as Social Action

Jonathan Gratch, College of Connected Computing

Oct 21

No Seminar

Enjoy Fall Break!

Explore the Fall 2026 LIVE Learning Innovation Seminar Series at the link below

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