TXST CADS February Newsletter
Feb 13, 2026 - Welcome to the February edition of the CADS Newsletter.
Smoothing Rough Waters: USU Data Scientists Use Deep Learning to Identify River Rapids
Feb 13, 2026 - Undergrad and grad student researchers are harnessing AI to compile a continental-scale, publicly available river image dataset to support hydrologic research.
Maastricht | Thanks to AI, we can play a Roman game again
Feb 9, 2026 - For years a Roman stone found in Heerlen has kept people guessing: was it a game board or not?
MSU Data Science Faculty and Staff Spotlight – Dr. Sara Shirley
Feb 10, 2025 - Dr. Shirley is the director of the Data Science Bachelor’s degree and an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance.
MIT Scientists Use SDSC Supercomputer to Reveal Hidden Physics Inside Metals
Feb 12, 2026 - Researchers uncovered a hidden atomic process that challenges long-held assumptions about disorder in metals when they are melted, cooled or shaped.
Minnesota Delegation Forges Path for AI Leadership at NVIDIA Headquarters | UMN Data Science Initiative
Feb 13, 2026 - A distinguished delegation from Minnesota, including representatives from the Data Science and AI Hub, the University of Minnesota, state government, and leading private sector businesses, recently concluded a pivotal one-day visit to NVIDIA’s headquarters in San Jose, California.
TRUSTWORTHY BY DESIGN: HOW MIDAS IS SHAPING RESPONSIBLE AI – MIDAS
Feb 11, 2026 - “We’re in a moment where AI and data science capabilities are advancing incredibly fast,” said Liu, “but our ability to rigorously use such capabilities hasn’t kept pace. That gap is dangerous.”
Melanie Walsh presents “AI Fiction in the Wild” | Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS)
Feb 10, 2026 - Walsh dives into three main ideas: how the experience of reading and writing fiction will change, how large language models (LLMs) will shape or disrupt traditional models of literary publishing, and where AI fits into broader literary and cultural history.
Connecting Data Science to Society: The New Brown DSI Advisory Board
Feb 12, 2026 - To ensure the Data Science Institute remains at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical application of Data Science and AI, we are delighted to announce the formation of our External Advisory Board (EAB).
Adelphi University accused a student of using AI to plagiarize. He fought back — and won.
Feb 11, 2026 - "It feels incredible to finally have my name cleared," said Orion Newby, now in his second year at Adelphi University. "Winning this case is a huge weight off of my shoulders."
UChicago Scientists pair AI and human knowledge to tackle notoriously difficult physics question
Feb 11, 2026 - The currents of the oceans, the roiling surface of the sun and the clouds of smoke billowing off a forest fire—all are governed by the same laws of physics, and give rise to a complex phenomenon known as turbulence
Two professors receive grants from Schmidt Sciences to use AI to accelerate humanities research
Feb 12, 2026 - Meredith Martin will use AI tools to parse English poetry across millenia. Peter Henderson is building artificial intelligence to better understand the law.
LSE launches Global AI Forum with $2M grant from MacArthur Foundation
Feb 13, 2026 - MacArthur Foundation awards LSE $2m for Global Forum on AI and the Social Sciences to convene dialogue and mobilise expertise for a human centred AI future
$10 Million to Advance AI By and For People
Feb 13, 2026 - Humanity AI was launched by a coalition of funders supporting the arts, labor and work, democracy, education, and security that will drive more than $500 million in new investments over the next five years.
NSF-funded ExLENT Data Crossings Shares Early Insights from its Inaugural Cohort
Feb 11, 2026 - Notre Dame students and working professionals reflect on how foundational learning and team-based studios are helping them approach data and AI with greater intention.
Should I use Synthetic Data for That? An Analysis of the...
Feb 3, 2026 - The analysis reveals that many existing or envisioned use cases of synthetic data are a poor problem fit. The authors' formalisations and classification of synthetic data use cases enable decision makers to assess whether synthetic data is a suitable approach for their specific data availability problem.
Expanding access to satellite Earth observation data: What it means for privacy, security and trust
Feb 10, 2026 - This blog post identifies emerging challenges in commercial space-based earth observation and how governments can address them.
Searching for Birds
Feb 12, 2026 - An interactive story about the birds that capture our curiosity, told through data, visuals and illustrations
A Facilitator’s Guide to Establishing a Social License for Data Reuse
Feb 13, 2026 - Existing governance tools, often centered on individual, point-in-time consent, do not reflect the collective and evolving nature of secondary data use.
Google backs African push to reclaim AI language data
Feb 11, 2026 - A new 21-language data set gives African institutions ownership and control in a field long dominated by Big Tech.
Two New Data Science Special Issues Launched, Call for Submissions Through Aug/Sept Deadlines
Feb 12, 2026 - Scholars, practitioners, and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged to submit manuscripts ahead of the August/September 2026 deadlines.
Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute announced an expansion of a collaboration
Feb 12, 2026 - The collaboration now includes Milwaukee School of Engineering, Waukesha County Technical College, Medical College of Wisconsin, in addition University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University.
How we’re helping preserve the genetic information of endangered species with AI
Feb 2, 2026 - Scientists are working to sequence the genome of every known species on Earth.
There’s More to Data Science than Math and Programming
Feb 12, 2026 - People interested in becoming a data scientist often hear so much about the importance of math and programming. Math and programming are important skills, but there are many other skills that are often overlooked that can lead to success in the field.
STEM Talent: Education, Training, and Workforce
Feb 12, 2026 - The U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce represented about a quarter of the total domestic workforce in 2023, with distinct education, employment, and wage patterns.
Austin AI Alliance Honors Local Business and Academic Leaders Advancing Responsible and Human-Centered AI | Austin AI Alliance
Feb 9, 2026 - Six AI excellence awards presented at second annual State of AI in Austin event. Texas State University was among the recipients.
Leadership news from the University of Pittsburgh Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership (HAIL) at #Pitt 🎉
Feb 12, 2026 - Justin Kitzes has been named Associate Director of AI for Science
2026 January National Survey - Research!America
Feb 10, 2026 - Results from Research! America's 2026 January National Survey.
Texas State University launches 'BobCatalyst' to boost innovation and job growth
Feb 10, 2026 - Texas State University launched the BobCatalyst initiative to transform research into startups, aiming to boost innovation and create high-tech jobs.
AI as a Force Multiplier for Conservation and Biodiversity
Feb 13, 2026 - The goal of this session is to synthesize the current state of AI applications within biodiversity science, address key challenges that stand to gain from AI advancement, and explore emerging developments in computer science, particularly AI for science applications, that have the potential to meet those challenges.