UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) has announced the results of its latest seed-funding competition, awarding more than $152,000 to seven interdisciplinary research projects spanning six colleges. The awarded projects will receive support to form research teams and initiate early-stage work that demonstrates potential for securing external funding.
Each proposal was rigorously evaluated by peers based on its relevance to the center’s mission, intellectual merit, and likelihood of obtaining future funding. Projects are set to commence in spring 2026 and are expected to last one to two years.
“We had another record-setting year in terms of the volume of submissions, making our seed grant program extremely competitive,” said S. Shyam Sundar, CSRAI director and James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
The winning proposals showcase a diverse range of collaborations involving faculty from disciplines such as science, engineering, information science and technology, health and human development, liberal arts, and communication. They were positively evaluated through a blind peer review process for their ability not only to advance AI technology but also to address social implications and responsiveness to societal needs. “Human-centered AI was the winner this year,” added Sundar. “Whether the proposal is to plan for public transportation or urban disasters, or to improve the effectiveness of parent-focused psychotherapy or enhance language learning by non-speaking children, the projects all focus on aligning AI with human social values.”
Among the awarded proposals is “AI Augmented Urban Resilience Agents with Model-Based Behavioral Priors and Theory-Driven Adaptation for Urban Disasters.” This project aims to develop a system that uses advanced AI models in combination with real-world data and psychological insights to simulate human responses during disasters, ultimately enhancing urban emergency planning and risk communication during various disaster scenarios.
Another notable project is titled “Ambiguities and Tensions in Trans Crowdfunding: Viral Visibility Under Surveillance.” This research will explore how trans and gender non-conforming individuals leverage online crowdfunding to relocate safely while navigating increasing scrutiny. By conducting interviews and analyzing discourse, researchers aim to provide insights into the survival strategies and support needs of transgender communities, particularly in the context of AI-driven oversight.
Additionally, the project “Expanding Empathic AI 2026 – A Research Roadmap” proposes a cross-disciplinary conference focusing on the ethics and science of empathy in human-AI interactions. Scholars from various fields will come together to discuss the implications of extending empathy to AI systems and how this can be interpreted from human perspectives. The conference will feature talks, panels, and collaborative workgroups aimed at fostering new partnerships and developing a shared research roadmap.
Another promising initiative, “Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence for Public Transportation Services,” aims to create a new AI approach for transit planning that reflects community priorities. Through community engagement and machine learning, the project will test a model designed to incorporate human preferences into advanced planning tools.
The project “Leveraging AI to Improve Therapeutic Outcomes in Parent-Focused Psychotherapy” seeks to develop a natural language system that allows parents to practice relationship-building skills between therapy sessions. This system aims to provide immediate feedback to improve skill uptake, addressing significant gaps in current treatment models.
Lastly, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Language Learning by Non-Speaking Children” targets the development of speech-generating technologies to help children with communication disabilities. The project plans to create tailored language models and design prototype interfaces that encourage real-time communication support for both children and their partners.
With these initiatives, the Penn State CSRAI continues its commitment to fostering research that aligns AI technology with societal needs, promoting greater understanding of the implications and benefits of AI in various contexts. As these projects unfold over the next few years, they promise to contribute significantly to the discourse on socially responsible AI and its applications.
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