Project Grant 2543054

Federal Project Grant Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Computing and Communication Foundations awarded $400,118 to the Regents of the University of Minnesota on June 15, 2026, under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070) to develop adaptive augmented reality (AR) interfaces that improve human-AI complementarity in physical work environments. The research focuses on designing and evaluating situated visual augmentation systems that help professionals—including surgeons, first responders, facility teams, and coaches—engage with AI guidance more deliberately while performing real-world tasks. The project conducts controlled experiments to identify visual design principles (placement, prominence, lighting, proximity, and scale) that influence decision-making reliance on AI, develops adaptive visual prompts responsive to user behavior and AI confidence levels, and creates learning-based methods to determine optimal presentation timing and methods for AI assistance.

Beyond the core research deliverables, the project includes significant educational and dissemination components through June 2031, including student training in spatial computing, development of open-source tools and learning materials, and expanded participation initiatives through courses, tutorials, and workshops. These outputs address both the technical advancement of AR-based AI interfaces and the broader workforce development priorities of the CISE program.