Monday, December 15, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:30pm (virtual)
About the event
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way infrastructure systems are designed, planned, and managed. In this webinar, CTS scholars Qizhi He and Seongjin Choi from the University of Minnesota's School of Civil, Environmental, and Geotechnical Engineering discuss how AI tools are beginning to impact civil engineering education, research, and professional practice. Their conversation will explore how the field can adapt curriculum and training to prepare future engineers for AI-integrated professions. We also explore issues around quality control, professional ethics, and community-centered design in an AI-driven context.
Melissa Barnes provides a practitioner perspective and shares insights from MnDOT's ongoing AI pilot identification project. She will discuss how state agencies are assessing the opportunities and risks associated with AI implementation and engaging and educating staff about AI.
This webinar will highlight opportunities for academia and practice to collaborate as the transportation industry addresses the evolving impact of AI on engineering education, quality assurance, and workforce development.
speaker
He Qizhi He is an assistant professor and CTS scholar in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Minnesota (UMN). Prior to joining UMN, he was a postdoctoral researcher in the Scientific Machine Learning Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His research focuses on the development of hybrid physics and AI/ML computational methods for predictive modeling and simulation of complex mechanical behavior of civil and geological materials under extreme multiphysics conditions. His research aims to advance the next generation of high-performance computing and digital twin technologies that strengthen infrastructure resilience and support natural disaster mitigation.
Choi Sung Jin He is an assistant professor and CTS scholar in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geoengineering at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Choi previously held postdoctoral research positions at McGill University in Canada and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea. His research focuses on the development of machine learning and (generative) artificial intelligence models for transportation and mobility data, with the aim of improving both individual-level travel experiences and system-level performance.
melissa burns He is MnDOT's Operations Division Artificial Intelligence Program Manager (Mobility) and a certified civil engineer with over 21 years of experience in the transportation field. She has worked for MnDOT for more than 12 years, including positions in the central office and metro district. Her expertise spans program delivery, transportation engineering, planning, safety, operations, project management, policy, and cross-functional leadership, and she is known for her commitment to equity and collaboration.
Registration
This webinar is free, but Registration required. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link. Please do not share the link with others. It's just for you.
Detailed information
Visit the CTS website or contact Samantha Hahn-Douville at snhahn@umn.edu.
If you are unable to attend the livestream, you can view the recording here after the event.
