Innovation through AI Excellence Award Finalists
The Innovation through AI Excellence Award recognises individuals or teams who are leveraging AI in transformative ways across teaching, research, service delivery or professional practice at the University of Newcastle.
AI versus Humans Project
Professor Florian Breuer, Dr Dara Sampson, Dr Jamin Day, Dr Louise Thornton, Dr Jane Rich, and Danielle Simmonette
As a part of the AI vs Humans project, this multidisciplinary team from across the University developed an innovative AI chatbot to support online mental health care. By comparing AI-generated responses with those from clinicians, the project demonstrated AI’s potential to deliver empathetic, high-quality support. The project, presented nationally and internationally, integrates evidence-based design, linguistic analysis, and user feedback to ensure emotional resonance and scalability. It highlights how AI has the potential to reduce clinician burden, improve access, and offers a model for broader application across health domains.
Dr Zara Ersozlu, School of Education
Dr Zara Ersozlu has led the development of an AI-enabled assessment and analytics tool that is transforming assessment practices in teacher education in Australia. Her innovative use of Human-in-the-Loop AI enhances marking efficiency and consistency in high-stakes assessments while preserving academic integrity. Rather than replacing academic judgment, the AI assists markers by reducing cognitive load, ensuring consistency, and generating structured datasets that inform program-level decision-making. Piloted at the University of Newcastle, the tool has demonstrated measurable impact and attracted national interest.
Utilising Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to assist complainants who speak English as a Second Language
Dr Christine Armstrong, Associate Professor Alicia Kulczynski, Dr Margurite Hook, Dr Moji Barari, Dr Bin Li and Jeremy Niass
This multidisciplinary team delivered research demonstrating how generative AI (Gen AI) can make complaints systems more inclusive. Supported by funding from the NSW Ombudsman and the University of Newcastle, the team created and tested a Gen AI complaint portal that improves confidence and outcomes for consumers who speak English as a Second Language. Findings showed that AI-modified complaints were clearer, easier to process, and more likely to receive a timely response.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.