Integrated Research and Training in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for ROTC students at PVAMU

Cooperative Agreement No. W911NF-23-1-0402
Duration: 29 September 2023 – 30 September 2025
PI: Lijun Qian, Co-PIs: Pamela Obiomon, Xiangfang (Lindsey) Li, Lin Li, Xishuang Dong

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX 77446

Project Summary:

• In modern warfare, situational awareness and risk assessment are critical for mission success. However, because of the large heterogeneous datasets such as the massive video streams and sensory data collected at the tactical edge, novel artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques are indispensable to analyze the big data and provide insights for decision support. The goal of the proposed project is to explore and design new machine learning models and algorithms to analyze large datasets for mission-critical applications and provide integrated research, education, and training to ROTC students at Prairie View A&M University, an HBCU. Considering the diverse backgrounds of the students, a three-stage plan is proposed: in stage one, we provide training to ROTC students on basic machine learning and deep learning models, fundamental principles of model training and validation, as well as the entire big data analytics pipeline. Students will be guided through the process of designing and implementing deep learning models for computer vision (CV) and natural language processing (NLP) applications in stage two that are tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of these applications. In stage three, ROTC students will be trained to develop advanced skills in deep learning for edge computing using masked autoencoder and gain valuable experience in NLP using pre-trained large language models. The proposed project will allow ROTC students, especially underrepresented minorities to become technologically proficient military officers to address the critical needs for AI-enabled big data analysis of the DOD. The resulted research and training materials will be made available to other ROTC programs and encourage broad participation.

News

Two of the ROTC students performing Artificial Intelligence (AI) research in the CREDIT center, Brashon Williams and Dwayne Jackson III,  won 2nd place and 4th place in the Robotics Competition during the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) National Conference. Both students are supported by this grant from OUSD(R&E) for ROTC students’ research and training in AI and machine learning.

Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) National Conference

Results:

The research was sponsored by the Army Research Office and was accomplished under Grant Number W911NF-23-1-0402. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office or the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein.

I. Training

• A whole-day Python Programming Workshop was offered to all the ROTC students on April 12, 2025

Python Programming Workshop

• A Python Programming Workshop was offered to ROTC students on February 20th, 2024
  

  Python Programming Workshop
• An AI/ML Workshop was offered to ROTC students on March 2nd, 2024

AI/ML Workshop

• A new course in Data Ethics was offered in Fall 2023 (by co-PI Dr. X. Li) at PVAMU and very positive feedback was obtained from students
• Students working on AI for Robotics research

Students working on AI for Robotics research

II. Presentations:

1. “Exploring the Applications of Fractal Geometry in Generative AI”.
2. “Optimizing Network Intrusion Detection with Scalable ML Pipelines and Feature Selection”
3. “LLMs-based Data Augmentation for Medication Identification on Electronic Health Records”
4. “Simultaneous Localization and Mapping with Mobile Robots in Robotics Operating System”
5. “Integrating AI and Robotics through NX10 and Gazebo”
6. “Visual and Sensory Perception Testbed with Max-Arm Robotic Arm”
7. “Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Robotic Arm Control Using Advantage Actor-Critic”

III. Demos

Last Modified: October 2025