Goals

aerial graphical repensentation of a city.

In what ways can emerging AI-driven technologies transform our daily lives? How can innovative technologies impact the creation of resilient, equitable, sustainable, safe, and smart communities?

Our research team is committed to leveraging artificial intelligence to devise innovative solutions that enhance community health, equity, sustainability, and safety in urban areas. The objective is to engage community stakeholders alongside university staff, students, and faculty, effectively bridging academic resources with broader community needs. The team adopts a holistic approach to the application of AI, which is shaped by diverse ecological, social, cultural, and economic forces across various scales, from individual buildings to expansive urban projects. Our research theme is broad, encompassing issues such as community environmental pollution, transportation, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. These projects provide students with the opportunity to address complex challenges through creative research partnerships and entrepreneurship.

Experience Gained

Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the project increases the students’ opportunities for engaged learning and collaboration by being engaged in various aspects of the project and research activities – including:

  • Collaborate efficiently with various stakeholders through team-based high-impact research. 
  • Assist and engage in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and experimental procedures.
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review and precedent studies on AI applications in resilient, safe, and smart communities to identify gaps and potential research directions.
  • Organize, analyze, and interpret data from their research study.
  • Synthesize data gathered in their research and research key findings.
  • Articulate how their academic field can contribute to AI applications in communities. Identify the knowledge gap to be filled in this area – gain insights and career aspirations.
  • Compose a research paper.
  • Deliver their research to the public audience work with community stakeholders and assist in information gathering and research dissemination.

Majors and Interests Needed

We invite students from every college within KSU to join our inclusive transdisciplinary team and participate in our research.

Team Advisors

Pegah Zamani, Ph.D.
Professor of Architecture (CACM), Director of KSU Research Center for Sustainable Communities (RCSC)
Email: pzamani@kennesaw.edu


Billy Kihei, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Email: bkihei@kennesaw.edu


Mahyar Amirgholy, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Email: mamirgho@kennesaw.edu