Viz, planning profs represented Texas A&M at SXSW in 2018

[Texas A&M at SXSW] (https://sxsw.tamu.edu) , a March 11-14, 2018 showcase of university faculty and research at [South by Southwest] (https://www.sxsw.com) , the annual Austin mega-event celebrating the convergence of creative industries, included a panel of [visualization] (http://viz.arch.tamu.edu) professors discussing technology’s revolutionary affects on society, an [urban planning] (http://laup.arch.tamu.edu) professor’s app that measures the natural hazard risk of land parcels in southeast Texas, and a group of mural-creating visualization students.

It’s the second consecutive year the university hosted a series of [events and exhibits] (https://sxsw.tamu.edu/?_ga=2.44655588.1127948920.1519655485-477562238.1447433286) with a major presence at SXSW.

On March 13 at the [Austin Courtyard Marriott] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Courtyard+by+Marriott+Austin+Downtown%2FConvention+Center/@30.2656891,-97.7426753,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644b5a7ea30a9fb:0x82c006512c066212!8m2!3d30.2656891!4d-97.7404866) , a series of panel discussions featuring university faculty and administrators included “Future Society: AI & Generative Systems,” with visualization professors Philip Galanter, Ann McNamara and Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo in the hotel’s Rio Grande Ballroom.

In “Future Society,” moderated by Emmy-winning TV host Mario Armstrong, panelists discussed how new, intelligent digital technologies will reshape the media landscape forever, changing the way our society works, plays, invents and reinvigorates culture.

They also examined emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that allow computers to autonomously create art, “smart” augmented reality systems that selectively present information according to the user’s needs, and digital devices embedded in clothing and personal accessories.

The Marriott’s Brazos Ballroom hosted Texas A&M’s Discovery Lounge, where visitors interacted with displays that demonstrate the impact of faculty research.

The lounge also hosted “ [Buyers BeWhere] (http://www.texascoastalatlas.com/buyersbewhere/) ,” a public Internet site where users enter can see a graphic and statistical natural hazard risk assessment for most land parcels in Houston and Galveston counties simply by entering a street address.

The site was developed by Sam Brody, professor of urban planning and head of Texas A&M University at Galveston’s [Center for Texas Beaches and Shores] (http://www.tamug.edu/ctbs/) . Brody said he developed the site because homeowners and buyers are largely unaware of potential natural hazards until it’s too late.

The Discovery Lounge also featured graduate visualization students creating murals of digital paintings by fellow vizzer Sabastian Kawar.

Additional panel discussions March 13, including “Human Rights Policy in a Connected World,” with Michael K. Young, president of Texas A&M, and John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also took place.

University-sponsored events celebrating the university’s global impact were also at the [Austin Convention Center] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Austin+Convention+Center/@30.2635686,-97.7417946,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644b5a8692003df:0x3041433e6e0a9355!8m2!3d30.2635686!4d-97.7396059) and at [Clive on Rainey Street] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Clive+Bar/@30.259997,-97.7406847,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644b5a973f0ac8d:0xedff43c5479a0206!8m2!3d30.259997!4d-97.738496) .

Richard Nira
rnira@arch.tamu.edu