NSF CRII Grant | SOC | SIU

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crime mapping computer vision usage with AI to solve crimes

NSF CRII grant awarded to Dr. Ahmed Imteaj

Dr. Ahmed Imteaj, a distinguished faculty member at the School of Computing, has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Research Initiation Initiative (CRII) grant. This accolade includes a substantial sum of $167,500, provided by the NSF's Division of Information and Intelligent Systems.

The CRII grant is designed to foster research independence among early-career academics and is a testament to Dr. Imteaj’s innovative approach in the field of computer science. It underscores the NSF's commitment to cultivating the talents of new generations of researchers, focusing on critical areas such as computer and information science and engineering, computational and data science, and engineering.

Dr. Imteaj's research initiative aims to develop a Federated Learning framework specifically tailored for AI-driven crime analytics across interdependent networks. His project consists of three dynamic phases:

  1. Data Labeling and Rebalancing: This phase focuses on creating algorithms that ensure fair training across various interconnected nodes, thereby promoting fairness in AI systems used for crime analytics.
  2. Network Efficiency: In its second phase, the project addresses the challenges of interdependent networks. It includes developing proactive strategies that decrease computational demands on individual devices and amalgamate multiple data sources, thereby improving practical efficiency.
  3. Privacy and Security: The final phase of Dr. Imteaj's research is dedicated to establishing robust privacy safeguards and deploying an adversarial agent detection strategy. This not only strengthens the security of the model training but also ensures the protection of sensitive crime-related data.

This groundbreaking project promises to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies by providing them with more sophisticated and effective tools for proactive and informed decision-making, thus contributing to a safer society.

Dr. Imteaj joined the School of Computing in the Fall of 2022, and the NSF CRII grant marks his second federal grant since his appointment. His continued success not only highlights his dedication and expertise in his field but also enhances the reputation and impact of the School of Computing at the national and international levels.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Imteaj on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the innovative advancements his research will bring to the field of artificial intelligence and crime prevention.