Special Session  

AI-Driven Emotion Technology and Usability Methodologies 

Organizers’ Name: Prof. Jong-Ha Lee,

Organization: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.

Summary:

This special session focuses on the evolution of development and assessment methodologies related to emotional intelligence, usability, and user experience. The articles have diverse topics, including a comparison of moderated and unmoderated think-aloud usability sessions and AI-based emotion technology. These articles are of value to practitioners and researchers interested in the evolution of AI EQ, usability, and user experience methodologies.

About Organizer:

Prof. Jong-Ha Lee received a B.S. degree in electronics engineering in 2000 from Inha University, Incheon, Korea, an M.S. degree in electrical engineering in 2005 from New York University, Brooklyn, New York, USA, and a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. He was with Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology as a Research Staff Member. He is currently an Associate Professor with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. His current research interests include tactile sensation imaging for tissue characterization, computer-aided diagnosis, medical image analysis, pattern recognition, and machine learning.

Integrating User-Centered Approaches in Requirement Engineering

Organizers’ Name: Dr. Irish Singh 

Organization: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Penn state University, USA 

Summary:

The objective of the special session, is to investigate the ways in which human-centric methodologies can improve the process of capturing, analyzing, and specifying requirements in the development of software and systems. Understanding and addressing the requirements of end-users is essential for the delivery of solutions that not only function efficiently but also resonate with their intended users as technology becomes more deeply ingrained in daily life. This session is intended for industry professionals, practitioners, and researchers who are interested in utilizing user-centered approaches during the initial phases of system development. Participants will acquire an understanding of how to effectively translate user requirements into system features by concentrating on real-world case studies and emerging methodologies. This will enable them to reconcile technical specifications with human factors. Incorporating usability and accessibility considerations into the engineering process, conducting effective requirement-gathering sessions, and engaging stakeholders are among the best practices that panelists will discuss. The session will also investigate the use of sophisticated tools and techniques, including participatory design, user journey mapping, and persona development, to guarantee that systems are technically sound while also meeting the requirements of users.

About Organizer:

Irish Singh is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Department of Computer Science and Engineering in School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus), State College, PA. Previously, she worked as faculty member at the Oregon Institute of Technology (OregonTech), USA. She obtained her Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Ajou University, South Korea. She also holds an M.Tech. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology Mesra (BIT-Mesra), as well as a B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering from State (UP) Technical University, Lucknow, India. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, and her research interests encompass Cybersecurity, Blockchain, adaptive security for cloud computing, Applied Data Science, and Cyber-Physical Systems. 

 Mental Health Crisis and Treatment  

Organizers’ Name: David (Bong-Jun) Choi, Dr. Hanumant Singh Shekhawat, 

Organization: Soongsil University, South Korea and IIT- Guwahati India  

Summary: The global mental health crisis has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, there is an urgent need for innovative, effective treatment strategies. This workshop explores the multifaceted nature of the mental health crisis, highlighting the key contributing to the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, examining both traditional therapeutic methods and cutting-edge interventions, including digital mental health platforms, teletherapy, and pharmacological advancements. 

Dr Bong Jun Choi is an associate professor at the School of Computer Science & Engineering and jointly at the School of Electronic Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea. Previously, he was an assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, State University of New York Korea, Korea, and concurrently a research assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, USA. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Yonsei University, Korea, both in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His current research focuses on distributed artificial intelligence, distributed intelligent energy networks, and security. He is a senior member of the IEEE and a member of the ACM. 

Dr Hanumant Singh Shekhawat is working at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He did his postdoc from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, and The Netherlands. His research was on multi-linear data (tensor) reduction techniques, which has applications in video/speech processing, MRI, and (higher dimensional) data analysis. He completed his PhD in Nov 2012, from the Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Twente, The Netherlands. His research was related to optimization problems in sampling and interpolation. He has completed his masters (in 2004) from the Department of Electrical Engineering and his bachelor in Electronics and communication engineering (in 2002) from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Rajasthan University in India, respectively. After the master's degree, he worked in the Texas Instruments India and Sasken Communications India for around four years in the area of electronics, software and algorithm development. He had visiting faculty position in University of Pardubice, Czech Republic during May-June 2019. Currently, his work is related to problems in radar, tensor, speech, signals and systems. 

  Human-Centric Approaches to Solving Societal Problems 

Organizers’ Name: Dr. Guoray Cai, and Prof. Dhananjay Singh

Organization: Information Sciences and Technology (IST), The Penn State University, USA

Summary: In this special session, we will look at how artificial intelligence (AI) and human-centered design may work together to address some of society's most serious issues. This panel is intended for professionals, researchers, and practitioners who want to develop AI solutions that are not just technically innovative but also responsive to human needs and societal implications. The session's goal is to educate participants with the information and skills they need to design AI systems that not only push technological frontiers but also bring tangible advantages to persons and communities.

Participants will learn about real-world case studies in which AI has been successfully incorporated to tackle social concerns, and panelists will lead debates about the future of human-centric AI. The focus will be on new trends, technologies, and collaborative activities that can generate inclusive and long-term societal transformation. This session provides an opportunity to engage with thought leaders at the forefront of AI development and help shape a future in which technology serves the greater good.

Dr. Guoray Cai is an Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at the Penn State University.  He directs the Spatial Information and Intelligence Laboratory within the College of Information Sciences and Technology and conducts research in the areas of visual analytics, conversational speech/gesture interfaces, geographical information sciences, and 3D smart sensing.  His work on geocollaborative crisis management technologies and online public deliberations are direct response to the challenge of risk society and declining democracy.  Dr. Cai received his Ph.D. degree in Information Science from University of Pittsburgh in 1999, a Master of Art degree in geography from West Virginia University in 1993, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Tianjin University, China, in 1986 and 1983, respectively.  He is a member of ACM, IEEE, and Association of American Geographers (AAG).

Prof. Dhananjay Singh is a Teaching Professor in the College of IST at Penn State University. He previously served as a Professor at Saint Louis University, USA and has over 15 years of experience in both industry and academia in South Korea. Prof. Singh received his B.Tech. in CSE from VBS Purvanchal University, M.Tech. in IT from IIIT Allahabad, India, and Ph.D. in Ubiquitous IT from Dongseo University, South Korea. He directs the ReSENSE Lab, focusing on human-computer interaction, AI, data sciences, and intelligent IoT. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, ACM, and IHCI.

The Role of Blockchain and Data in Addressing Global Challenges

Organizers’ Name: Dr. Graziela Fusaro, and Dr. Madhusudan Singh

Organization: Long Island University, USA

Summary: This session, intended for industry experts, researchers, politicians, and practitioners, will examine how decentralized systems and data-driven insights might improve trust, efficiency, and accessibility in many industries. Participants will be exposed to practical examples where Blockchain and Data have been effectively utilized to foster beneficial social transformation, including enhancing supply chain transparency, safeguarding healthcare information, facilitating financial inclusion, and promoting sustainable development objectives. The session will include expert panelists presenting case studies and participating in discussions on emerging trends, policy implications, and collaborative prospects. It will also examine essential inquiries concerning scalability, security, privacy, and governance, emphasizing the possibilities and constraints of Blockchain and Data in addressing global challenges. 

Dr. Graziela Fusaro has extensive work experience in various leadership roles. From 2022 onwards, they serve as the Dean at Long Island University. Prior to that, they worked as the Founder and Managing Partner at International Consulting Network - ICON since 2015. Graziela also held positions at Adelphi University, where they were the Assistant Provost for Innovation from 2021 to 2022 and the Director of the Innovation Center from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, they served as the Assistant Dean - College of Management at LIU Post from 2015 to 2020. Earlier in their career, Graziela was a Partner at Araujo Fontes from 2005 to 2015.

Graziela Fusaro obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1998 to 2000. Currently, they have certifications in Enterprise Design Thinking - Team Essentials for AI, IBM Artificial Intelligence Practitioner - Instructor Certificate, and Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner, all obtained from IBM.

Dr. Madhusudan Singh is an Associate Professor at Long Island University, Brokland NY, USA. Previsioly he was Assistant Professor at Oregon Institute of Technology (OregonTech), USA. He is IEEE Senior Member and ACM Distinguished Speaker; Dr. Singh has delivered over 30 invited talks and serves as an IEEE Subject Matter Expert. His research spans AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. He has published over 80 works and is the Series Editor for Blockchain Technologies at Springer Nature. 

Exploring Ethical Policies for Integrating Generative AI in Higher Education 

Organizers’ Name: Maria Weber, Dr. AnnaMaria Szakonyi, Dr. Tatiana Cardona 

Organization: School of Professional Studies, Saint Louis University, USA

Summary: The session will examine the ethical dilemmas and policy necessities for the responsible integration of AI in academic environments. With the increasing prevalence of AI technologies like automated content generation, virtual tutors, and personalized learning systems in universities, concerns regarding academic integrity, data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equal access emerge. The session seeks to establish a forum for educators, administrators, technologists, and policy-makers to collectively examine optimal techniques for formulating ethical AI legislation. Principal subjects encompass academic integrity in the era of AI, privacy issues, equity in AI-facilitated assessments, and addressing the digital divide. The event will showcase case studies of organizations that have effectively implemented AI policy, providing insights and practical guidance for participants.

The program will include expert speakers, a panel discussion, and an interactive workshop in which participants can design outlines of AI policies for their institutions. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will get an enhanced comprehension of the ethical implications associated with AI and obtain practical frameworks for developing responsible, transparent policies that guarantee ethical and equitable AI utilization in higher education. 

Maria Weber, is a distinguished cybersecurity expert with a solid industrial background, holding an M.S. in Applied Analytics from Saint Louis University and a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Universidad Fermin Toro, Venezuela. Maria's career spans expertise in Networking, Wireless, Security, Software-Defined Networking, Applied Analytics, and Automation. She is known for revolutionizing wide area network management through Software-Defined Networking. Maria's research interests encompass Information Systems, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization. Actively involved in professional organizations, she is a member of the ACM's Council on Women in Computing and the IEEE Computer Society Women in Engineering. Her commitment to innovation and inclusivity defines her contributions to the cybersecurity landscape.  

Dr. Annamaria Szakonyi is a professor, technology leader & consultant, anti-trafficking researcher, published author and speaker, working at the intersection of technology, policy and society. Her passion is in the application of technology, data and policy to combat human trafficking and the exploitation of women and children.   

She's received various distinguished awards and scholarships, such as Saint Louis University's inaugural Geospatial Research and Innovation Award for her research using geospatial methods and machine learning to study human trafficking, the Presidential Scholarship of the Republic of Hungary, Erasmus Scholarship from the European Union, and scholarships from the French Republic and the Hungary-Missouri Educational Partnership.   

She's published multiple peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter with prestigious publishers such as IEEE and Springer related to human trafficking, data science, cybersecurity, online identity theft, and diversity and inclusion in technology. She's an educator and lecturer, technology mentor, and women in tech advocate on a mission to increase the presence of women and underrepresented groups in technology. She has over 15 years' experience in the IT and innovation sector, spanning from Fortune 500 corporations to non-profits and higher education institutions in various technical and leadership positions.   

Dr. Tatiana Cardona currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Saint Louis University. With prior roles as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Ball State University and a Visiting Professor at Tech. Institute of Monterrey, she's experienced in instructing undergraduates and graduates in Information Systems, Project Management, and Optimization Models. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Systems Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, complemented by a Master's in Engineering Management and Lean Six Sigma certification.  

 2-Day Intensive Workshop on Full Stack Mastery: Zero-to-Hero

Organizers’ Name: Shreya Nandhivargam

Organization: Saint Louis University, USA

Summary: This intensive 2-day workshop is designed to equip participants with essential skills in Full Stack Development. The workshop covers both front-end and back-end development, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to build and deploy web applications.

Day 1 focuses on front-end technologies, starting with an introduction to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Participants will learn to create responsive and interactive user interfaces using popular frameworks like React or Angular.

Day 2 shifts to back-end development, where participants will explore server-side technologies such as Node.js, Express, and database management with MongoDB or SQL. By the end of the day, attendees will have hands-on experience in building and deploying a full-stack application.

Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in practical exercises, and collaborative projects, and receive guidance from experienced instructors, ensuring they gain the confidence and skills to pursue a career in Full Stack Development.

Biography:
Shreya Nandhivargam is a 2021 graduate of JNAFA University, Hyderabad, with a bachelor's degree in digital Techniques for Design and Planning. She gained experience as a Content Writer Intern and Web Developer, working on projects such as a transactions dashboard for Al Rajhi Saudi’s banking and website development at Iveond. Shreya then joined Tech Mahindra as a Web Developer, honing her skills further. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Saint Louis University, expected to graduate in 2025, and is involved in developing the IHCI conference webpage.