Tag: Artificial Intelligence

A New Era of Technology Education Begins with LSU’s AI Bachelor’s Degree

Louisiana State University is preparing to expand its leadership in emerging technology education with the launch of Louisiana’s first AI Bachelor’s Degree at its Baton Rouge campus. Approved by theLouisiana Board of Regents in March, the new program represents a significant milestone for the state’s flagship research institution as it responds to the growing demand for highly trained professionals capable of designing, evaluating, and deploying advanced AI systems, according to this news release from the University. The degree signals LSU’s commitment to aligning academic innovation with workforce development priorities across Louisiana’s rapidly evolving technology sectors.

University leadership emphasized that the new artificial intelligence degree was developed to help students move beyond simply using AI tools toward understanding how they function at a systems level. Administrators explained that the curriculum was designed to equip students with the technical foundation necessary to create accurate, efficient, and secure AI-driven solutions across industries ranging from healthcare to energy production. As the state’s land‑grant university, LSU positioned the initiative as part of a broader strategy to ensure that Louisiana students can participate directly in shaping the future of technological innovation rather than importing talent from outside the region.

With the introduction of the new degree, LSU joined a select group of universities nationwide offering stand‑alone undergraduate programs in artificial intelligence, including Purdue University and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as regional peers such as University of Tennessee and Mississippi State University. The program was developed within the LSU College of Engineering through its Division of Computer Science and Engineering, reinforcing the college’s expanding role in preparing students for specialized careers in advanced computing, data systems, and machine intelligence.

Faculty leaders described the curriculum as intentionally rigorous and technical, combining mathematical modeling, algorithmic design, and systems‑level engineering principles to prepare graduates for professional roles such as AI engineers, developers, and technical researchers. Program designers emphasized that students would learn to identify meaningful real‑world problems suited for artificial intelligence solutions, evaluate system performance using evidence‑based methods, collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, and maintain strong ethical and security standards while building emerging technologies.

The AI Bachelor’s degree program was designed by James Ghawaly, assistant professor in the Division of Computer Science and Engineering, under the supervision of Ibrahim Baggili, the Roger Richardson Professor and division chair. Together with additional faculty collaborators, the team developed 20 new courses specifically tailored to the artificial intelligence major. These courses include specialized topics such as efficient neural networks, neuromorphic computing, AI security, and a dedicated ethics in artificial intelligence course that reflects growing national conversations about responsible technology development.

Like many academic pathways within the LSU College of Engineering, the new artificial intelligence degree will culminate in a senior capstone experience in which students collaborate in teams over two semesters to design solutions to real‑world challenges. Faculty explained that this structure allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to industry‑relevant projects while strengthening communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills essential for careers in advanced technology environments. As the program grows after its Fall 2026 launch, LSU also plans to expand access through hybrid and online course delivery options to reach students across the state.

Demand for artificial intelligence expertise continues to increase across Louisiana industries, particularly in logistics, healthcare, petrochemical production, and the state’s energy sector. Leaders within the Division of Computer Science and Engineering noted that enrollment in advanced courses such as Large Language Model Application Developmenthas already demonstrated strong student interest, while business leaders across the state have expressed growing need for trained professionals capable of supporting new investments in AI infrastructure. By launching this degree program, LSU has positioned itself to strengthen economic development opportunities while preparing graduates to lead innovation across both regional and national technology landscapes.

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A Louisiana Hospital Uses AI to Tackle Pancreatic Cancer: Early Detection and Treatment

A Baton Rouge hospital has introduced cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at improving the early detection of pancreatic cancer, a condition that is often diagnosed in its later stages. The American Cancer Society projects that in 2024, over 66,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but according to this article from The Advocate, in Louisiana, where this type of cancer accounted for 7.3% of cancer-related deaths between 2016 and 2020, efforts like the AI technology used at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center are bridging the gap in screening and prevention.

In an effort to combat these statistics, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge has introducedEON technology, an advanced AI software designed to analyze CT scans and flag potential pancreatic abnormalities, even if the patient’s initial hospital visit was unrelated to pancreatic issues. For instance, if a patient underwent a CT scan following a car accident, the AI would still review the scan for signs of pancreatic cysts, potentially identifying an issue long before it developed into cancer. The software automatically notifies the hospital’s oncology team, enabling timely follow-up and treatment.

Dr. Mo Al-Efishat, a surgical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake specializing in advanced pancreatic tumors and cysts, explained the importance of EON’s implementation. The software uses a combination of artificial intelligence and computational linguistics to analyze medical imaging reports with up to 98% accuracy. Traditional methods often miss subtle indications of pancreatic cysts, which can evolve into cancer. In contrast, EON’s sophisticated analysis ensures that cysts are not only detected but also brought to the attention of medical professionals who can schedule regular follow-ups, such as MRIs or CT scans every six to twelve months, as needed.

Dr. Al-Efishat emphasized that early detection is key in preventing pancreatic cancer. “Twenty percent of pancreatic cancers originate from mucinous cysts,” he noted. These are cysts that, if identified and monitored early, have the potential to be treated before they turn cancerous. Once a pancreatic cyst is flagged, the oncology team takes over, assessing whether further intervention is necessary. The AI system operates continuously across the hospital’s network, ensuring that any MRI or CT scan conducted within the system is evaluated for pancreatic abnormalities.

One of the critical aspects of treating this cancer is catching it at an early stage. According to Dr. Al-Efishat, when pancreatic cancer is caught in its earliest stages, the chances of survival increase substantially, with cure rates ranging from 30% to 40%. He shared a case where, after performing a robotic surgery, the biopsy results revealed high-grade dysplasia, the final stage before cancer develops. Dr. Al-Efishat expressed relief, knowing that his team had intervened at just the right moment. Once pancreatic cancer develops, survival rates drop dramatically—from 100% to 30% upon diagnosis.

Unlike breast or colon cancer, pancreatic cancer does not have an established screening method for the general population, such as mammograms or colonoscopies. There is a screening program for individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer, but this represents a small portion of the population. The absence of a comprehensive screening program makes the need for AI technologies like EON even more crucial in bridging the gap.

Looking to the future, Dr. Al-Efishat expressed optimism about emerging research aimed at preventing pancreatic cancer. Recent studies have identified inflammation as a key driver of pancreatic cancer development. As a result, clinical trials are now underway to test the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatments in slowing or halting the progression of pancreatic cysts to cancer. If successful, these treatments could represent a major breakthrough in pancreatic cancer prevention, potentially reducing the number of lives lost to this devastating disease.

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