Smoothing Rough Waters: USU Data Scientists Leverage AI to Identify River Rapids

Researchers at Utah State University (USU) have successfully employed deep learning to create a continental-scale river image dataset, enhancing hydrologic research. This project involved both undergraduate and graduate students who collaborated on a year-long initiative that culminated in a peer-reviewed publication and a presentation slated for the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference.

The initiative originated from a seminar that facilitated a partnership between USU, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Spearheaded by USU's statistician Brennan Bean, students were challenged to determine if AI could identify specific rapids in satellite images. This breakthrough could aid water managers by enabling remote inferences of river flow in locations lacking physical measurements.

Initially focusing on the collection of 3,000 images, the project grew tremendously, resulting in over 280,000 satellite images collected. Students utilized AI to train neural networks capable of isolating rivers and accurately identifying rapids. The creation of this extensive dataset supports diverse hydrologic applications such as discharge estimation, habitat assessment, and resource management.

The interdisciplinary effort included contributions from professionals and students, emphasizing the vital role of hands-on learning in practical problem-solving. The skills gained from this project have equipped students to tackle complex challenges in real-world contexts, significantly elevating their educational experience.

USU statistics doctoral student Kelvyn Bladen will present the findings at the upcoming conference, showcasing how AI can effectively transform river management practices and contribute to ecological sustainability.

In Puerto Rico, a transformative movement is underway, highlighting the island's resilience and creativity. The Department of Education, serving over 230,000 students and 20,000 educators, is embracing Microsoft 365 Copilot to modernize education profoundly. This initiative aims to personalize learning, simplify administration, and protect student data, addressing challenges highlighted during the pandemic.

The integration of AI tools has enabled educators like Carmen Figueroa to create customized lesson plans and adapt materials for diverse learning needs efficiently. Copilot's capabilities allow for the generation of both basic and complex exercises, tailoring education for neurodivergent and visual learners. As a result, teachers report increased efficiency and engagement, with early results showing improvements in standardized test scores, particularly in mathematics and science.

The partnership with Newtech and Truenorth enhances this transformation, providing crucial training and support. This collaboration ensures teachers feel confident using these tools, resulting in a cultural shift toward innovation and AI utilization in classrooms. Over 9,700 educators are actively engaging in the Viva Engage Copilot community, sharing best practices and experiences.

Overall, the adoption of AI in Puerto Rico's education system creates significant benefits—personalized learning, improved academic outcomes, and streamlined administrative processes—ultimately setting a new standard for AI-driven education across Latin America. With the right technology and support, Puerto Rico is charting a path where every student can thrive.

Best AI Tools for Project Documentation: Expert Recommendations

Project documentation can often feel overwhelming, with the need to navigate multiple tools for notes and decisions. Fortunately, the best AI tools simplify this process, enabling teams to capture and organize critical information efficiently.

The primary AI project documentation tools offer various features that can significantly enhance productivity. For instance, Dart excels in automatic meeting note capturing, transforming conversations into actionable tasks while maintaining a searchable structure. This tool not only saves time but also reduces errors in documentation, streamlining workflow without extra effort.

Hive integrates task management and documentation, providing a comprehensive platform with AI-generated summaries and real-time updates. This all-in-one approach fosters seamless collaboration, making it suitable for teams requiring extensive workflow automation.

Jira, tailored for Agile teams, links project tracking with documentation, ensuring that technical specifications and requirements are readily accessible and linked to development efforts. Its powerful search and filtering features enhance usability for complex project environments.

Miro innovates documentation through a visual collaboration approach, allowing users to create dynamic diagrams and brainstorms on an infinite canvas. This method enriches documentation by connecting information visually, making it easier to comprehend relationships and context.

Lastly, Trello offers a simple, card-based system, appealing to small teams or basic projects by providing a lightweight documentation structure that adapts easily to various workflows.

In conclusion, selecting the right AI tool depends on your team's specific needs and working styles. When embraced, tools like Dart, Hive, Jira, Miro, and Trello can transform project documentation from a chore into a seamless, efficient process, enhancing overall productivity and collaboration.

The AI Colleague Internal Communicators Have Been Waiting For

By Carolyn Clark
Feb. 4, 2026

Internal communicators often grapple with overwhelming administrative tasks, detracting from their creative potential. From managing approval processes across various platforms to content version control, these logistical challenges consume precious time that could be better spent on strategy and storytelling.

Enter AI colleagues, a transformative solution designed to alleviate administrative burdens. Unlike traditional AI writing tools that merely speed up document drafting, AI colleagues, such as the Comms AI integrated into the Simpplr platform, manage the entire coordination layer of internal communications. This innovative approach allows communicators to focus on higher-level strategic tasks.

Concrete applications include:

1. Planning Efficiency: Simply input campaign objectives, and the AI automatically creates a structured campaign plan with designated audiences, channels, and timelines, ensuring visibility and clarity among team members.

2. Contextual Content Creation: Comms AI learns an organization’s communication style, ensuring that content aligns with the appropriate tone for various departments and contexts. This results in well-crafted messages tailored for specific audiences.

3. Streamlined Coordination: Approval processes occur within the AI workspace, eliminating fragmented email threads. Feedback is easily tracked, promoting clarity in version control and ensuring that all team members remain aligned.

4. Optimized Publishing: Once approved, content can be seamlessly scheduled for distribution across different platforms, all from a single interface. This eliminates the need for repetitive formatting and timing adjustments.

By lifting the administrative burden, AI colleagues empower internal communicators to concentrate on what truly matters: shaping narratives, building trust, and executing strategic campaigns. This leads to enhanced quality in both routine and complex projects, ultimately allowing organizations to thrive.