Artificial intelligence is at a crossroads—much like calculators once were.
“People used to say they would replace our mathematical abilities. But then we realized we could solve problems faster and better,” said Pete Martinez, CEO of SIVOTEC.
Today, AI elicits a similar response. Will it enhance human potential or replace it? The Rothberg Catalyzer AI Summit of the Americas, hosted by the University of Miami College of Engineering, had a unified message: embrace AI as a transformative tool across industries or get left behind.
AI-Powered Innovation
In the CXO panel, biotech entrepreneur Jonathan Rothberg highlighted AI-driven breakthroughs in medical diagnostics, emphasizing how it is helping make health care more affordable and accessible. His team pioneered ultrasound-on-a-chip, turning a once bulky, expensive machine into a low-cost, portable device. He also introduced a now FDA-approved retinal scanner that can predict diseases like hypertension and heart disease through a simple eye scan. Rothberg emphasized that by combining AI with scientific research, his team is reshaping diagnostics, making health care tools more readily available.
Melissa Medina, CEO of eMerge Americas, highlighted Miami's dynamic startup environment, noting its appeal to innovators and investors. "The advancements we’re seeing, especially in health care, are fascinating. It’s not the large corporations—it’s the small startups that will transform things," Medina said, reflecting on the city's growing reputation as a tech hub to companies like Rothberg’s 4Catalyzer.
AI at the University of Miami
The summit also showcased several AI-driven projects at the University of Miami.
Tom Collins, a professor at the Frost School of Music, is leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into music education and creation. He oversees workshops and performances that merge human artistry with AI-generated elements, aiming to explore and shape the future of music in the AI era.
At the School of Law, Or Cohen-Sasson and the MiLA Lab are exploring AI’s role in the legal domain. He explained how his lab develops AI tools for legal practice, education, and research, focusing on enhancing client confidentiality, integrating interactive learning, and automating citations. Additionally, the Lab equips law students with AI literacy and Responsible AI best practices, preparing them for an AI-driven legal field.
“This is exactly the type of collaboration that we need— leaders coming together from academia and industry to foster AI innovation,” said Pratim Biswas, dean of the College of Engineering, where various interdisciplinary AI projects are taking place.
Meanwhile, Rony Abovitz, CEO of Synthbee and a College of Engineering alumnus, gave students in the room some advice.
“AI is a biome of hundreds of thousands of things. If we don’t take the lead, future job opportunities may be at risk. This is a pivotal moment for students to harness AI to tackle challenges like cancer and climate change, ensuring that human interests remain central to technological progress.”
Showcasing Student Innovation
As part of the AI Summit of the Americas, the HorizonAI Hackathon brought together more than 220 in-person participants and 90 virtual international participants to develop AI-driven solutions over the course of two days. Standout projects included Breathe AI, a wearable device that monitors respiratory health using biometric and environmental data; R.I.P.E, an app that digitizes grocery receipts to reduce food waste; and QuickReels, a machine-learning tool that automatically generates short-form video content from longer footage. The hackathon showcased students' capabilities in leveraging AI to drive innovation forward.
The events were part of the College of Engineering's Digital Tech Initiative and were made possible by the Rothberg Catalyzer Fund and the Jose Milton Foundation Digital Tech Initiative Fund.
