CAREER: Making Domain-Specific AI Models Steerable by Leveraging Foundational Models

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $499,997 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly used in healthcare systems to help diagnose diseases from medical images such as Computerized Tomography (CT) scans and mammograms. While these systems can be highly accurate, they often learn unintended patterns, such as utilizing hospital-specific markings rather than markers of disease. This can lead to uneven or unsafe performance. Compounding this problem, most AI models are “black boxes,” offering little insight into how decisions are made or why mistakes occur. Identifying the source of mistakes is challenging for AI developers due to the knowledge gap between AI scientists and clinicians, and rectifying those mistakes is difficult for doctors because of the inherent complexity of the AI systems. This project develops new methods to make these systems more transparent and adjustable, allowing clinicians and researchers to understand, diagnose, and correct AI errors without needing to rebuild the models entirely. For instance, if a breast cancer risk model performs better on one group of patients than another, the new tools can help identify the cause and allow clinicians to intervene. In addition to improving fairness and reliability in medical AI, this project will also advance education and workforce development by involving students in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of medicine, computer science, and engineering. To reach these objectives, this project utilizes and enhances innovative computationa

Key facts

NSF award ID
2443167
Awardee
Trustees of Boston University (MA)
SAM.gov UEI
THL6A6JLE1S7
PI
Kayhan batmanghelich
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
AI-Supported Learning, AI Education/Workforce Develop, BIOTECHNOLOGY - INFRASTRUCTURE, CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev
Estimated total
$499,997
Funds obligated
$499,997
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030