The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Prairie View A&M University an $8 million grant to support a groundbreaking research initiative in advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence. The project is titled “CREDIT+: Advancing Data Analysis for Mission-Critical Applications in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” It aims to enhance the university’s research capacity and provide students with critical training in burgeoning fields.

Dr. Lijun Qian, an endowed professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PVAMU’s Roy G. Perry College of Engineering is spearheading the initiative. 

Dr. Qian’s team includes co-principal investigators Drs. Xishuang Dong, Xiangfang Li, Annamalai Annamalai, John Fuller, Pamela Obiomon, and Lin Li. Together, they will build upon the work established by the Center of Excellence in Research and Education for Big Military Data Intelligence, which was initially funded by a $6 million DOD grant in 2015. “The mission of the CREDIT center is to accelerate research and education in predictive analytics using artificial intelligence and Machine Learning for science and engineering to transform our ability to effectively address and solve many complex problems posed by big data and train our students to become next-generation data scientists and engineer,” Dr. Qian explained. 

CREDIT Center’s five primary research areas:

Large Language Model Enhanced Data Management: Developing innovative methods for organizing, debiasing, and analyzing data through AI.

Mission Planning: Employing AI and mean-field game theory to improve planning and decision-making for complex military operations.

Efficient Edge Computing: Creating efficient ways to enhance data processing on edge computing devices with limited resources.

Explainable AI: Developing approaches to make AI systems more interpretable for better decision-making.

Real-World Testing: Applying research findings to practical scenarios 

Enhancing Military Operations

A significant focus of the research will be aiding military operations. By analyzing data collected from satellites, drones, field sensors, and personnel, the project aims to foster real-time situational awareness and informed decision-making. This could significantly enhance mission planning and improve the safety of military personnel.

Commitment to Education

A core component of the project is its commitment to education, particularly for students from underrepresented communities. The CREDIT Center has already introduced 12 new AI, machine learning, and data analytics courses. Additionally, it is leading efforts to establish a master of science degree in data science and engineering at PVAMU.