Tuskegee University has received a $699,999 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to advance trustworthy AI for healthcare. The three-year research project focuses on improving the safety, transparency, and reliability of AI-assisted medical technologies.
The project, "Excellence in Research: Trustworthy AI for Healthcare: Evidence-Grounded, Compliant, Human-in-the-Loop," is housed in the Department of Computer Science at the Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science. The team will develop AI systems that generate responses grounded in reliable evidence, support compliance with clinical guidelines and regulations, and build human oversight into high-risk healthcare decisions.
Who's leading the research
Assistant Professor Dr. Baiyun Chen is the principal investigator. She is joined by co-principal investigators Dr. Fan Wu and Dr. Kai Koong, along with senior personnel Dr. Mohammad Rahman and Dr. Kushagra. The initiative also includes a research collaboration with the University of North Texas, bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and healthcare informatics.
Dr. Thierno Thiam, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, said the grant marks a milestone for the university. "This grant is another byproduct of Tuskegee's Renaissance Era and represents a major milestone in our progress as leaders in shaping the future of AI in higher education," he said.
Student opportunities
Beyond the research itself, the grant will expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, and data science. It also supports faculty mentorship and workforce development.
"This project creates a meaningful opportunity to expand faculty-led research while providing our students with hands-on experience tackling some of healthcare's most pressing artificial intelligence challenges," said Dr. Fan Wu, Department Head of Computer Science. "Through this work, we are building the next generation of researchers and innovators equipped to develop responsible AI solutions with real-world impact."
Why this matters for healthcare professionals
For healthcare professionals, the project's focus on evidence-grounded responses and human oversight addresses a core concern: knowing when to trust an AI recommendation. As AI for Healthcare tools become more common in clinics and hospitals, the safeguards built into these systems, such as compliance checks and human review, will shape how clinicians use them in daily practice.
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