About AI@UNM

Who We Are

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Building safe AI is a collaborative mission — it requires policymakers to set the guardrails, researchers to design transparent and interpretable models, and builders to launch applications that positively impact the people they serve.

AI@UNM is a student organization at the University of New Mexico dedicated to exploring artificial intelligence through three complementary lenses: technical development, entrepreneurship, and governance.

Our Mission

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1. Build a community at UNM that enables people to participate in meaningful work
2. Introduce people to the world of AI through the lenses of government, business, and academia

Our Approach: Projects Are Our Medium of Learning

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At AI@UNM, we don’t just study AI — we build with it, analyze it, and shape policy around it. Members work on projects spanning research, product development, and policy analysis:

• Write a review paper on GPU export control
• Apply existing AI interpretability methods to new models and problems
• Create new model architectures
• Ship an AI product and pitch it to investors
• Develop policy proposals for adoption of AI at UNM or beyond
• Your idea goes here — we support member-driven initiatives

Projects bring together people from different tracks, creating interdisciplinary teams that mirror how AI work happens in the real world.

Three Tracks

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We organize our work across three flexible tracks. Members are encouraged to explore across tracks — there’s no requirement to stay in one lane.

Technical — Shrey Poshiya

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The technical track focuses on understanding how AI systems work and building them from the ground up.

• Understanding foundations of AI — research skills, create novel AI frameworks
• Train, Test, and Deploy Models — prepare for AI Engineer roles
• Hackathons, Datathons, and Competitions — from New Mexico to nationwide

Startup — Younes Slaoui

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The startup track turns AI capabilities into real products and businesses.

• Ship AI products and showcase them in your portfolio
• Find co-founders and collaborators for your next venture
• Test startup fit — learn whether entrepreneurship is your path

Governance — Sophia Finale

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The governance track examines the policy, ethical, and societal dimensions of AI systems.

• Write policy briefs, proposals, blog posts, and research — prepare for internships, grad school, and creating change
• Analyze policy and legislation — explore careers in law, government, and tech policy
• Attend conferences, workshops, and build networks — from Albuquerque to NYC, the Bay Area, and DC

How We Work Together

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Every Wednesday at 5pm — Farris Basement

The first hour is core meeting time; the remaining hour-plus is optional project work. Weekly Luma invites keep you updated on times, locations, and special events.

Get Involved

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• Join our mailing list — get updates on meetings, events, and opportunities
• Subscribe to our Substack — project showcases and AI analysis
• Show up on Wednesdays — the best way to get involved is to come to a meeting

Questions? Reach out to any of our track leads or come find us at Farris Basement on Wednesday at 5pm.