October 2026 – The Center for Human-AI Innovation in Society

Three CHAIS faculty members, Ziwei Zhu, Antonios Anastasopoulos, and Sungsoo Ray Hong, are part of a George Mason University Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) winning team developing AI-Powered Human Rights Education for All.

Students discussing ideas in a classroom setting

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

This project will create an AI-driven virtual human rights classroom prototype that gives people everywhere access to practical, personalized tools to learn and apply human rights principles in daily life. Using the built-in toolkit, users will explore interactive scenarios and receive personalized guidance to help them navigate real-world dilemmas and assess the human rights impact of policies and technologies.

Leadership Team: Cher Weixia Chen, CHSS (PI); Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron, CHSS; Lei Gao, Costello; Ziwei Zhu, CEC; Antonios Anastasopoulos, CEC; and Sungsoo Ray Hong, CEC.

CHAIS Members: Ziwei Zhu, Antonios Anastasopoulos, and Sungsoo Ray Hong

Grand Solutions: Advancing 21st-Century Education for All; Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure; Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

Participating Colleges: College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Engineering and Computing; and Costello College of Business

Two CHAIS faculty members, Thema Monroe-White and Ziyu Yao, are part of a George Mason University Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) winning team developing the Teaching Initiative for Digital Education through AI (Teaching IDE-AI).

Students participating in an AI and robotics learning activity

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

This project creates a model for responsible and ethical AI integration in the classroom to help prepare teachers who will then shape AI-ready PK–12 students across Virginia and the nation. By bringing together experts in education and technology, the initiative will create practical tools, develop training for faculty, and design easy-to-use AI literacy resources that help educators guide students in a rapidly changing world.

Leadership Team: Jennifer Suh, CEHD (PI); Thema Monroe-White, Schar/CEC; Ziyu Yao, CEC; Jered Borup, CEHD; Audra Parker, CEHD; and Seth Hunter, CEHD.

CHAIS Members: Thema Monroe-White and Ziyu Yao

Grand Solutions: Advancing 21st-Century Education for All; Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure

Participating Colleges: College of Education and Human Development; College of Engineering and Computing; and Schar School of Policy and Government