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Centre Establishment

The JCU Centre for AI and Data Science Innovation (CADSI) was formally approved in July 2025 to advance ethical and impactful AI and data science research across JCU. It brings together expertise from all colleges to address major challenges facing tropical, regional, and remote communities, industries, and environments.

CADSI strengthens connections across JCU - September 2026

CADSI has been actively engaging across James Cook University to strengthen collaborations and explore opportunities for AI and data science to address real-world challenges.

In recent weeks, CADSI representatives have participated in the JCU Centre for Tropical Biosecurity Annual Conference and Retreat, the JCU AgTAC Away Day, and the Veterinary Sciences Stakeholder Forum. These events provided opportunities to showcase CADSI’s research capabilities and impact areas, connect with academics and industry, and identify new opportunities for collaboration across agriculture, biosecurity and veterinary sciences.

CADSI looks forward to building on these connections and supporting new interdisciplinary collaborations across JCU and with industry.

CADSI Research Workshop explores the future of AI in education - August 2026

CADSI hosted the Research Workshop: Shaping the Future of AI in Education as part of the JCU Research Festival, bringing together more than 80 participants to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning and assessment.

Led by Grace Jefferson and Klaire Somoray, the workshop featured keynote speaker A/Prof Hassan Khosravi, alongside contributions from Shashidhar Venkatesh Murthy, Kelsey Lowrie and Dr Kranthi Addanki. Professor Jacqui Ramagge, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), also joined a fireside chat exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in education.

The strong turnout and discussion highlighted growing interest in how AI can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into higher education at JCU and beyond.

CADSI Seed Grants Now Open

The Centre for AI and Data Science Innovation (CADSI) Seed Grants support collaborative, high-impact pilot research aligned with CADSI’s strategic vision. Funding of $1,000–$5,000 is available for 6–8 month projects that foster multidisciplinary partnerships, industry and community engagement, and early career researcher development.

👉 View the Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria
👉 Access the Application Form

Applications close COB Monday 30 March 2026.

CADSI’s Official Launch - Wednesday 4th March, 2026

The Centre for AI and Data Science Innovation (CADSI) was officially launched at James Cook University, marking an exciting milestone for AI and data science in the Tropics.

CADSI brings together cross-disciplinary expertise to harness artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation to address critical regional and global challenges across health, environment, industry and communities.

The launch highlights our commitment to responsible, impactful research and strong collaboration with partners to deliver real-world solutions.

Welcoming Dr Christian Ringle to JCU – March 2026

James Cook University is delighted to welcome Christian M. Ringle, Adjunct Professor at JCU and chaired Professor of Management and Decision Sciences at Hamburg University of Technology, who will visit our campuses in March 2026.

Campus Visits

Townsville (Bebegu Yumba Campus): 13–20 March 2026
Cairns (Nguma-bada Campus): 20–26 March 2026

During his visit, Dr Ringle welcomes opportunities to meet with colleagues from across JCU. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact Professor Siggi Gudergan on siggi.gudergan@jcu.edu.au to schedule a time.

In addition to individual meetings, Dr Ringle will deliver a research talk, a full-day methods workshop, and a research seminar. All events are open to the JCU community.

Research Talk
Open Science Practices – The Future of Science is Open
Date: Monday 16 March 2026
Time: 12:00–13:00
Location: Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus, Building 027-005
Zoom: https://jcu.zoom.us/j/85600329800?pwd=tGXxsiUH6Bie3WWs9fjsPMC6ctSDyR.1

Why attend?
Open science is rapidly reshaping how credible, transparent, and impactful research is conducted. This talk introduces practical, low-friction approaches to data sharing, preregistration, and reproducible workflows—showing how open science can strengthen both research quality and societal relevance. (See attached abstract for details.)

Research Methods Workshop
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and PLS-SEM in Research
Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026
Time: 09:30–15:30 (arrival from 09:15)
Location: Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus, ATSIP 145-030
Registration: please email siggi.gudergan@jcu.edu.au to register

Why attend?
This interactive, hands-on workshop introduces Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and its integration with PLS-SEM, enabling researchers to distinguish between must-have and should-have conditions in theory and data analysis. The session combines conceptual foundations with practical SmartPLS exercises and is relevant across business, social sciences, and natural and engineering disciplines. (Full program with descriptive notes are in the attached workshop document.)

Research Seminar
Predictive Model Assessment and Model Comparison: Enhancing the Value of Research Results
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026
Time: 12:00–13:00
Location: Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus, Building 027-004
Zoom: https://jcu.zoom.us/j/81237931026?pwd=xQVfzhdO6uxdgTvf3hu03Fk86Aj1G6.1

Why attend?
This seminar focuses on strengthening research relevance through predictive validation and model comparison, demonstrating how out-of-sample prediction can complement explanation and theory testing. Participants will gain an actionable framework for integrating predictive assessment into standard research workflows. (See attached abstract for details.)

About Dr Christian Ringle (brief bio)
Dr Christian M. Ringle is a chaired Professor of Management and Decision Sciences at Hamburg University of Technology (Germany) and an Adjunct Professor at James Cook University. He is internationally recognised for his work in research methods, business analytics, machine learning, and decision sciences, with 350,000+ citations and sustained recognition as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher. He is also co-founder and co-developer of SmartPLS, one of the world’s leading software platforms for multivariate data analysis

CADSI’s Progress

CADSI's progress, current and future activities include:

JCU AI Centre (CADSI) approved and established – 10 July 2025
Interim Management Committee formed with representatives from all JCU colleges – July 2025
Two planning workshops were held and attended by nearly 150 staff and students, focusing on structure, mission, vision, name and success – Aug & Sep 2025
Centre structure developed based on the planning workshops' consultation and the Interim Management Committee feedback – Sep 2025
Call for EoIs for Centre leadership will be opened – Oct 2025
Leadership team and Centre Management Committee will be finalised – Nov 2025
Centre launch and celebration – Nov–Dec 2025
Centre Leadership Committee Planning meeting (in-person meeting setting CADSI's strategic direction and activities) – Dec 2025