CINCINNATI — As artificial intelligence technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, a group of researchers at the University of Cincinnati is launching a new initiative to ensure that ethics keep up.

Backed by nearly $500,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and $165,000 in seed money from UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, the university has announced the formation of the Center for Explainable, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI, or CEET.

“AI looks like it’s going to be one of the most impactful and maybe revolutionary technologies of our lifetime,” said Andre Curtis-Trudel, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Cincinnati. “That makes it one of the most exciting things to be thinking about, especially from ethical perspectives.”

The center, still in its early stages, will serve as an interdisciplinary hub bringing together faculty and researchers from a wide range of fields, including philosophy, English and physics to address how AI systems are developed, used, and understood.

“AI impacts everyone, but it’s not the case that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to conversations around AI,” Curtis-Trudel said. “In particular, about how it’s being used.”

CEET’s work is split between two main branches: a research team focused on the broader societal and ethical questions surrounding AI, and an engagement team tasked with transforming those findings into public-facing educational initiatives. That includes programming for students in the K-12 system, a key focus of the center’s outreach efforts.

“Students are increasingly going to be asked to use AI tools, and their lives will involve AI in one way or another,” said Curtis-Trudel. “It’s important that they understand how these tools work and are able to reason about them.”

Dean James Mack of UC’s College of Arts and Sciences emphasized the importance of including humanities scholars in the conversation around AI, which he says has traditionally been dominated by science and tech fields.

“This is not just a scientific or technological challenge,” Mack said. “This is a humanistic challenge that’s going to affect society, one that’s going to influence policies, not just in relation to AI but entire communities.”

Mack said the center also aims to help set ethical boundaries that prioritize public safety and social good.

“Every tool that’s in a doctor’s office can always be used to harm or to help,” Mack said. “We have to understand that the goal is to help individuals, not harm them.”

While CEET doesn’t yet have a physical space on campus, Curtis-Trudel hopes the center will position the University of Cincinnati as a national leader in humanities-driven AI research and policy.

“Our aim is to become a first port of call, a hub, for anyone interested in AI ethics,” he said.

Center staff say they are also exploring private partnerships and additional fundraising opportunities to support the initiative’s long-term goals.

On September 5, 2025, the Social Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University organized an international public lecture titled “AI in Higher Education for Innovation in Learning & Research”, delivered by Dr. Muthu Kumar Chandrasekaran, an expert in artificial intelligence and computer technology and former Applied Science Manager at Amazon AI, at Chula Narumit House. The event was officially opened by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, with Associate Professor Dr. Unruan Leknoi, Director of the Social Research Institute, delivering the welcoming remarks. A panel discussion followed, featuring Dr. Philip Soung Soo Cho, a researcher at Chula’s Social Research Institute. 

Objectives of the Lecture 

The lecture aimed to create a platform for knowledge exchange on Artificial Intelligence (AI) between international experts and Thai academics. It also sought to provide guidance on enhancing the quality of teaching and research in Thai universities to meet global standards. 

Elevating Thai Universities to the Global Stage:

The session shared best practices for applying AI to improve teaching and research. The evolution began during the MOOC era (2012–2020), with platforms such as Coursera, Canvas Network, Diversity, and Udacity. 

In the pre-Generative AI era, AI applications focused on:

• Automated grading systems 
• Assessing participation in online classrooms 
• Scripted intelligent tutoring systems 

In the current era of Generative AI and Agentic AI, developments have become more personalized, enabling the creation of personal AI tutors and positioning AI as a key tool for future learning. 

Building International Networks:

The event brought about greater opportunities for collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and global academic and tech experts, reinforcing Thailand’s role in the international AI discourse. 

Empowering Thai Society:

The lecture emphasized the need to equip the new generation with AI literacy, ensuring sustainable innovation. It also stressed the importance of:

• Developing inclusive AI policies 
• Investing in technology and education 
• Ensuring equitable access to AI tools and infrastructure 

Despite AI’s potential to disrupt future labor markets and the growing concern over job displacement, it also presents new career opportunities. To adapt, reskilling and upskilling of the workforce remain essential, as people are the core driving force behind national progress. Sustainable investment in data centers was also highlighted as a key factor. 

Shefska told Fortune the AI negotiator took about four months to develop. “We launched it on July 17th and have helped over 2,000 paying customers,” he said. The system is built on top of existing large language models but enhanced with CarEdge’s proprietary market insights and negotiation training. “CarEdge creates instances of AI agents that are deployed on behalf of users. The agents have proprietary market insights and negotiation training from CarEdge. Each agent creates a unique email and phone number and contacts dealers on behalf of customers,” Shefska told Fortune.

The idea emerged from a simple frustration. “Consumers don’t want to get screwed,” Shefska told PYMNTS in an interview. “And it’s not even necessarily about getting the best price; it’s just not wanting to be taken advantage of.”

Notably, the service isn’t free. Customers pay $40 for a month of access without auto-renewal. “Customers pay because we do not want car dealers to be flooded with users who are simply testing the tech,” Shefska told Fortune. “The goal is for only those who are highly qualified and serious shoppers to leverage the agent to help save them time and money.”

According to CarEdge, though, the results speak for themselves. In one example cited by the company, CarEdge’s AI negotiated a Toyota RAV4 from an initial dealer quote of $37,356 down to $35,600—a savings of nearly $1,800. Customer testimonials published on CarEdge’s website show even bigger wins, with the company claiming that one man, Brian G., reported CarEdge helped him get a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid for “$4,000 under MSRP after fees.” Another customer testimonial on the site, attributed to Wes S., says he secured a 2023 Corvette C8 for $5,000 under sticker price.

The negotiation advantage

What gives the AI such an edge? Unlike consumers who buy cars every three to five years, the artificial intelligence negotiates deals constantly, learning from each interaction. CarEdge has fed the system six years of pricing data from hundreds of thousands of car transactions, giving it deep insights into what constitutes a fair deal.

The AI also eliminates the emotional and psychological pressures that often derail human negotiations. It doesn’t get flustered by high-pressure sales tactics or feel rushed to make a decision. Instead, it methodically compares offers, identifies hidden fees, and pushes for better terms with the persistence of a seasoned negotiator.

According to CarEdge, one customer looking for a Honda Accord got to experience the benefits firsthand when the AI negotiator managed 13 back-and-forth messages with a dealer and ultimately saved him $1,280 off the original out-the-door price.

Beyond the financial savings, the AI negotiator addresses another major pain point in car shopping: privacy invasion. Traditional car shopping websites often expose buyers to a barrage of spam calls and emails from multiple dealerships. CarEdge’s system flips this dynamic entirely: The AI absorbs all the dealer communications while the customer stays anonymous until they’re ready to make a purchase.

CarEdge’s AI negotiator represents part of a larger transformation in how high-value transactions are conducted. Just as real estate has buyer’s agents, Shefska envisions a future where AI agents routinely handle complex negotiations on behalf of consumers.