Events

Past Webinar – Leveraging AI to Measure and Model Social Behavior, James M. Rehg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mXoTsgEd-I Abstract: Beginning in infancy, individuals acquire the social and communication skills that are vital for a healthy and productive life. Children with autism face great challenges in acquiring these skills, resulting in substantial lifetime risks. As the neural basis for ASD is unclear, the diagnosis, treatment, and study of autism depends fundamentally on the analysis of child behavior. Standard methods for behavioral observation and coding are the backbone of research studies but are inherently coarse-grained and not easily scalable. In this talk I will present our research agenda that uses AI models and computer vision technology to automate the measurement of social behavior from video. Our goal is to unlock the rich behavioral information that is present in video and make it available for large-scale data-driven modeling and assessment. I will present several recent…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Leveraging AI to Measure and Model Social Behavior, James M. Rehg

Past Webinar – Practical Cognitive Assessment Methods for AD/ADRD Research Projects

https://youtu.be/4weOZ9Tf-Og?si=lzfkLGsUZVZSseRz Abstract:  This webinar will examine cognitive assessment methods in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) research, featuring insights from neuropsychology, geriatric psychiatry, and digital health technology. Panelists will highlight the challenges of accurate screening across diverse populations and settings, from community-based studies to clinical trials. Presentations will explore traditional tools like the MoCA and CDR alongside emerging digital approaches using speech AI, wearable sensors, and web-based platforms. Discussions will emphasize demographic influences, functional measures, and resource considerations in selecting appropriate screening strategies. Case studies will illustrate lessons learned in real-world pilot projects, including practice effects, scalability barriers, and the integration of cognitive and functional assessments.Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of current and future cognitive screening tools and how to apply them effectively in research and clinical contexts. About the Speakers:  Kathryn…

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Past Webinar – Unlocking Success: FDA Regulatory Strategies for AgeTech Devices and AI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dpRR_cDPPs Abstract:  This webinar explores regulatory strategies for bringing AgeTech devices and AI innovations to market under FDA oversight. Panelists provided an overview of FDA pathways, including 510(k), De Novo, and Pre-Market Approval (PMA), highlighting how device classification and intended use shape regulatory requirements. Discussion emphasized unique challenges for software as a medical device (SaMD), clinical decision support (CDS) tools, and AI/ML-enabled technologies, including validation standards and cybersecurity mandates. Speakers underscored the importance of aligning regulatory strategy with business models and offered guidance on leveraging Pre-Submission processes and breakthrough device designation to accelerate approval. Real-world insights from wearable device development illustrated the complexities of clinical validation, reimbursement planning, and risk-based regulation.You will gain practical knowledge on navigating FDA processes to responsibly develop and deploy AgeTech innovations for older adults. About the Speakers:  Ameet Sarpatwari, PhD,…

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Past Webinar – Comprehending Human Behaviors using Wireless Sensing on Everyday Wearables, Cheng Zhang

https://youtu.be/glSoPDySruI?si=3vaFP2iwT9eKCDN2 Abstract: Despite the rapid advancement of AI, computers' ability to comprehend human behaviors remains limited. For instance, commodity computing devices still face challenges in understanding even basic human daily activities such as eating and drinking. The primary obstacle lies in the absence of suitable sensing technologies capable of capturing and interpreting high-quality behavioral data in everyday settings. In this presentation, I will share my research on the development of everyday wearables that are minimally-obtrusive, privacy-aware, and low-power, yet capable of capturing and comprehending various body movements and poses that humans employ in their everyday activities. First, I will show how these sensing technologies can empower various everyday wearable form factors, including wristbands, necklaces, earphones, headphones, and glasses, to track essential body postures, such as facial expressions, gaze, finger poses, limb poses, as well as…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Comprehending Human Behaviors using Wireless Sensing on Everyday Wearables, Cheng Zhang

Past Webinar – Sustainable Ear-Worn Systems for HCI and BCI: Design, Development, and Deployment, VP Nguyen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKKp4Fazno&t=3s&pp=ygUNYTIgY29sbGVjdGl2ZQ%3D%3D Abstract: This talk introduces curiosity-driven research that explores science and technology to build the next generation of ear-worn computer systems that are robust, sustainable, cost-effective, low-burden, and socially acceptable, thereby unlocking new applications in human-computer interaction and brain-computer interface. Yet, the development of these systems brings significant challenges, demanding a rethinking of hardware and software frameworks, advanced ML algorithms, and significant interdisciplinary efforts. I will present our approaches to fill the gaps and build practical ear-worn computers, highlighted by motivating applications our lab has worked on: interactive computing and disease monitoring and intervention. Additionally, I will share insights gained from deploying these systems in various real-world settings and discuss future research directions.  Biography: VP Nguyen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science at the Manning College of Information & Computer Science at UMass Amherst…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Sustainable Ear-Worn Systems for HCI and BCI: Design, Development, and Deployment, VP Nguyen

Past Webinar – LLMs for Assistance in ADRD: From Word Retrieval to Caregiver Support, Archna Bhatia and Richard Curtis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wLqw42_kPg Overview:  This webinar comprises two presentations by Archie Bhatia from the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition and from Richard Curtis from Ripple Care.  They each discuss the work from their MassAITC a2 Pilot awards using LLMs to help with word retrieval for older adults with ADRD and to support ADRD Caregivers. Abstracts: Integrating LLMs and Other AI Technologies in an Intelligent Cognitive Assistant for Word Retrieval Support for Older Adults with ADRD Occasional inability to retrieve words accompanies aging, even for healthy people, and especially for those with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). This phenomenon tends to thrust people into social isolation, resulting in an increased rate of decline. In this webinar, we will discuss the development of an Intelligent Personalized Cognitive Assistant, MyWords!, an AI-enhanced application that provides real-time word retrieval…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – LLMs for Assistance in ADRD: From Word Retrieval to Caregiver Support, Archna Bhatia and Richard Curtis

Webinar – Advances in Cardiovascular Health Monitoring to Support Healthy Aging at Home, Anna Barnacka and Edward Wang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN7k8_8sTpA Overview:  This webinar comprises two presentations from Anna Barnacka of MindMics and Edward Wang of Billion Labs.  They each describe the work from their MassAITC a2 Pilot Award on addressing heart health monitoring.  Anna Barnacka delves into a patented in-ear IH technology that enables heart health monitoring through TWS earbuds and discusses future plans to make this technology accessible to all.  Edward Wang describes the VibroBP Smartphone app, the first app of its kind to use AHA-recommended oscillometry methods to ascertain BP and that does not require per-individual calibration. Abstracts: Hearing the Heart: Impact of MindMics' In-ear Infrasonic Hemodynography on Cardiac Health In this talk, we will highlight the MindMics Heart Health System, an advanced solution addressing heart health monitoring and aging-related challenges. We will delve into the patented in-ear IH technology that enables…

Continue ReadingWebinar – Advances in Cardiovascular Health Monitoring to Support Healthy Aging at Home, Anna Barnacka and Edward Wang