Fall Seminar Series Kicks Off with Engaging Talks on AI and Robotics

The Department’s Fall Seminar Series kicked off last week with an engaging first session that introduced complex topics in artificial intelligence and robotics to both beginners and experienced students.

The event began with a talk by Dan Mathews, Chief Architect and Strategist at Cisco, titled Re-Imagining Human Experience with Agentic AI. Mathews, who has over 25 years of experience in technology strategy and system design, discussed how agentic AI systems are reshaping the way humans interact with digital environments. Drawing from his background in developing large-scale AI architectures and his work in environmental technology, he shared insights on how AI can enhance creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in real-world applications.

The second presentation featured Matthew Hyatt, a PhD student in Computer Science at Loyola University Chicago, who spoke on Robot Learning. Hyatt drew from his own research and hands-on work designing mechanical robot arms. He shared how his project data explores finding the correct inputs that allow robots to mimic human movement and behavior. His talk offered a clear, practical look at how self-supervised learning methods can help robots adapt and improve through experience.

The opening seminar set an inspiring tone for the rest of the series, combining technical depth with accessible discussion and offering all attendees a chance to expand their understanding of AI and robotics.