NextGen AI Lab

The NextGen AI Lab is a community-facing initiative, dedicated to making cutting-edge research on human–AI interaction accessible and relevant to the public.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between science and society by translating complex AI concepts into meaningful conversations, activities, and learning opportunities for people of all ages. Through workshops, outreach events, and public education, we aim to help communities better understand how artificial intelligence is shaping our lives—and how we can shape it in return.

NextGen AI Lab Summer Workshop for Teens 2025

On August 4–5, 2025, Dr. Shan Xu launched the university’s first-ever AI workshop for teens in Lubbock County. More than 30 students from local school districts took part in this two-day program.

The workshop introduced teens to core ideas in artificial intelligence: what AI is, how to use it critically and responsibly, and how it shapes human learning and social interaction. Students also toured the College’s Center for Communication Research, where they experienced firsthand how researchers study human-AI interaction using tools such as eye-tracking and other cutting-edge technologies.