UL students develop digital solutions to solve real-world problems

A University of Limerick exhibition has demonstrated how students are tackling real world problems with digital solutions. 

UL’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) recently held their annual CSIS Demo Day where students showcased their final year projects, each responding to different aspects of digital life. 

The projects, which represent months of independent research, development and experimentation, reflect not only what the students have learnt while studying at UL but how they think, question and design. 

Over 100 projects from students studying Computer Systems, Computer Games Development, Music, Media and Performance Technology, Digital Media Design, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning were on display spanning a wide range of interactive systems, applications, media works and platforms.

The projects explored a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence in action, demonstrating how AI can be used to solve real-world problems, create smarter ways of working, enhance athlete performance and reshape music-making and filmmaking.

Others explored how digital tools can be used to support mental and physical health, showcasing how technology can support patients, caregivers and clinicians through smarter systems. 

Speaking at the CSIS Demo Day, Dr Tabea De Wille, Associate Professor in UL’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and Final Year Project Co-ordinator, described the demo day as “a milestone moment” for the students involved, marking the end of four years of undergraduate study. 

She said: “The final year project is one of the most important challenges our students undertake while at UL, and the projects on display are a powerful reflection of the creativity and ambition of students in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems. 

“Our students are not only applying advanced technical skills, but using them to tackle real world problems, challenge assumptions and imagine new ways technology can be experienced and used to create real value for industry and society. 

“This exhibition gives them a platform to demonstrate their technical and creative work, to engage with industry partners, and to see their work valued by peers, family and friends, and the wider UL community.”

Róisín Mitchell, a student on the Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems who returned to education in her thirties, developed an AI system for safe addiction recovery support for her final year project. 

Having been exposed to addiction in many forms throughout her life, Róisín cares deeply about addiction recovery and is acutely aware of how addiction affects people, families and communities. 

Inspired by her late grandfather, an addiction counsellor who used community drama to support people in addiction, Róisín’s final year project explores how AI could provide safer support when people are looking for reassurance, encouragement or a first step towards help.

She said: “Many people now turn to AI systems during difficult moments, but in an area like addiction recovery, it’s not enough for AI to simply sound helpful. It also has to be safe.

“The aim of the system I have developed is not to replace counsellors, doctors, sponsors, recovery groups or crisis services. It looks at how AI can offer supportive, recovery-focused responses while using strong safeguards to stop unsafe or inappropriate advice from reaching vulnerable users. 

“My hope is that work like this can contribute to the wider research around making AI safer, especially for people who may be using these systems at moments of vulnerability.”

Annika Jungfleisch, a student on the Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Design who moved from Germany to study at UL, created a 3-D printed smart replica of an ancient Greek statue for her final year project. 

Inspired by the craftsmanship of ancient Greek sculptures and architecture, Annika wanted to create a physical object that people could interact with to enhance visitor engagement and learning in museums. 

She said: “As an active learner who has often found traditional ‘do not touch’ museum exhibits difficult to engage with, I wanted to design a solution to enhance visitor engagement and transform ancient artefacts from silent objects into interactive storytellers.

“Creating a smart replica of the Caryatids of the Erechtheion allowed me to honour the past while exploring the future of interactive art.”

Jason Cushen, a student on the Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems, drew on his keen interest in Gaelic football to develop a web-based Gaelic football analysis tool, designed to help coaches at club level gain detailed insights into their teams matches.

As a football player himself with Kilmurry Ibrickane in Co. Clare, Jason noticed a gap in the market for a tool that could assist coaches at club level. 

He said: “Over the years I've noticed how a lot of analysis in Gaelic football is tedious and at club levels, the tools are very limited. As Gaelic football is a big interest of mine, I thought this would be a good challenge for my final year project. 

“The tool I have developed will make the analysis process easier for coaches at club level and I’ve really enjoyed working on something that can have a real impact on the sport I play.”

Commending the students on their final year projects, Dr Patrick Healy, Head of UL’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, said: “The CSIS Demo Day showcases our students' diverse skills and creativity across a wide breadth of computer science and computer applications, and is the culmination of eight months, or more, of sustained effort on their part. 

“The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems take great pride in seeing the fruits of this effort and for having played their own small part in getting their students to this point.”