Current DIF Project

Raghu Sankaran, CIO, Scholastic Inc., an IBIT partner, is working with DIF to investigate the results produced by generative AI solutions to increase transparency and predictability. The DIF team includes Konstantin Bauman, Assistant Professor of MIS, Yan Wang, Associate Professor of CIS, Manoj Chacko, and Munir Mandviwalla.

Sankaran notes that: “There are so many unknowns and facets around Gen AI that that we need to evaluate, so partnering with Temple was a no brainer to help us make progress on multiple fronts simultaneously.”

The goals include evaluating (a) how generative AI responds to different types of requests (b) evaluate the accuracy and appropriateness of the responses, and (c) estimate the factors that contribute to the responses and how that can be used to improve the tool. The DIF team has configured a virtual lab that includes the major Gen AI platforms and generated preliminary results.

DIF is partnering with Temple’s Kornberg School of Dentistry to implement the PRO platform, to measure, structure, and motivate the professional development of dental students. The DIF team includes Manoj Chacko, Laurel Miller, and Munir Mandviwalla, co-founders of PRO Community LLC, a Temple University spin-off company that arose from the first DIF project.

At Kornberg, according to Dean Amid Ismail: “Student development is a critical part of our mission. Professional development of students can be advanced by PRO that document and allow faculty to measure the professional development and experience of students.”

Currently, an extended soft release is underway, with the platform set to become mandatory for all students starting in fall 2024 (see PRO Platform for more information).

Michael Bradshaw, Senior Vice President, Global Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI, Kyndryl, an IBIT partner, is collaborating with IBIT on a research project to rethink organizational enterprise systems strategy and propose new management concepts. The IBIT team includes Munir Mandviwalla and Amrit Tiwana, Professor, University of Georgia.

The project is focused on important questions about systems strategy, evolution, and value. The results include a framework to assess the opportunity and risks of generating business value over time from enterprise systems.

Abey John, Director, Temple Information Technology Services is partnering with DIF to improve the user experience and governance of TUportal – a platform for information and transactions for internal stakeholders.

The DIF team includes Amy Lavin, Associate Professor of MIS who is conducting focus groups to evaluate usability and identify needs. The team also includes Manoj Chacko and Munir Mandviwalla.