Researchers from across Mizzou gathered to advance interdisciplinary collaboration in artificial intelligence, statistics and data science.
To mark the launch of the Center for Spatio-Temporal Statistics and AI, the University of Missouri hosted a half-day workshop on April 26, 2026, that brought together researchers from across campus around a shared interest in artificial intelligence and data-driven discovery. Through presentations, discussion sessions and networking opportunities, participants explored new approaches to analyzing spatial and time-dependent data while forging connections designed to support future interdisciplinary research collaborations.
Housed in the College of Arts & Science and launched as part of the Big Ideas Initiative, the center serves as a hub for research at the intersection of spatio-temporal statistics, artificial intelligence and data science. Led by Christopher Wikle, Curators' Distinguished Professor of Statistics and Data Science, the center brings together methodologists and domain scientists from across the university to advance the science of modeling complex processes that unfold across space and time.
The center's researchers are pursuing funded methodological and collaborative projects across a wide range of disciplines while developing innovative statistical and computational approaches to real-world challenges. Beyond accelerating research and extramural funding opportunities, the center aims to disseminate new discoveries to the broader scientific community and train the next generation of graduate and undergraduate researchers. The workshop reflected that mission, highlighting how collaboration across fields can translate advances in AI, statistics and data science into meaningful societal impact.