Nectir AI — Industry Partner for AI-Enhanced Learning and Research

Nectir AI is a California-based educational technology company whose platform integrates AI chat and analytics tools directly into learning management systems to enable real-time student engagement and academic support. The company’s AI assistant models have been deployed system-wide across the California Community Colleges, serving hundreds of thousands of students and faculty.

DECResearch × Nectir AI Partnership

The Diack Research AI4ED Lab (DECResearch) is collaborating with Nectir AI to conduct joint research on AI-driven student engagement, academic performance, and equity outcomes. The partnership builds upon Nectir’s large-scale implementation in California and explores the feasibility of a pilot deployment across the Southern University System and other Louisiana institutions.

• Replicating Nectir’s California research findings (GPA and retention impact)
• Integrating AI chat-based learning environments within existing LMS platforms
• Studying AI adoption models in HBCU contexts through JEDI-aligned research
• Evaluating scalability, data ethics, and privacy governance for AI-in-education systems
• Building a shared data science internship and research pipeline between SUS and Nectir

The collaboration aligns with DECResearch’s mission to bridge AI innovation, education, and workfor

Skilldora — Industry Partner for Accredited AI & Avatar-Based Learning

Skilldora is a pioneering U.S.-based educational technologycompany specializing in AI-powered, avatar-led courses and micro-credential programs. Designed for 21st-century learners, Skilldora combines immersive storytelling, humanized AI narration, and accredited online training to deliver dynamic, career-aligned education.
Its platform empowers institutions and creators to build certified programs featuring AI avatars, multilingual voiceovers, and personalized learning journeys that enhance learner engagement and accessibility.

DECResearch × Skilldora Partnership

The Diack Research AI4ED Lab (DECResearch) partners with Skilldora to co-design and deliver accredited, avatar-based courses and certificate programsin collaboration with HBCUs and global university networks.

This partnership integrates Skilldora’s cutting-edge AI course creation technology with DiackResearch’s expertise in instructional design, JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) frameworks, and workforce development. Together, the collaboration aims to transform online learning ecosystems by merging academic research, AI innovation, and inclusive design to prepare learners for the future of work.

Senegal–India Cooperation Project – NURA AI Preventive Health Screening

The Diack Research Lab (USA) and DEC Studio USA are leading a strategic cooperation between the Government of Senegal, the Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS), and NURA India. This initiative introduces a national model for AI-assisted preventive health screening and strengthens South–South cooperation between India, Senegal, and West Africa to advance intelligent, affordable, and inclusive healthcare systems.

The project aims to establish the first AI-driven Preventive Health Screening Center in Senegal (NURA Sénégal) — combining India's advanced AI health technologies with Senegal’s strong community-based healthcare system. It will serve as a blueprint for integrating AI into public health infrastructure across Africa, focusing on early detection and digital equity.

The NURA Model

Developed by the Tata Group (India) in partnership with Fujifilm (Japan), NURA is a global innovation in AI-powered preventive medicine. The system offers a complete, non-invasive health screening that delivers medical insights in just 120 minutes — powered by AI diagnostics for cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, metabolic, and women’s health conditions.

Already operational in Bangalore, Gurugram, and Hyderabad, NURA has demonstrated that artificial intelligence can make healthcare faster, more accurate, and more accessible to large populations.

Senegal Adaptation & Implementation Plan

• Phase 1 – Design & Site Selection: Establishment of the NURA Sénégal Pilot Center in Dakar, in partnership with MSAS and Diack Research Lab.
• Phase 2 – Pilot Deployment: Training of medical staff, installation of NURA AI diagnostic systems, and integration with the DHIS2 national health data platform.
• Phase 3 – Regional Expansion: Launch of NURA Express Mobile Units in Kaolack, Thiès, and Saint-Louis to ensure equitable regional access.
• Phase 4 – Institutionalization: Integration into the national preventive health strategy and creation of a South–South Cooperation Hub for AI and Digital Health (2026–2028).

Expected Impact (2025–2028)

• 100,000+ citizens screened through AI-enabled preventive health centers
• 60% improvement in early disease detection rates
• 50% reduction in per-patient screening costs
• Training of 500+ healthcare professionals in AI-based diagnostics and data ethics
• Launch of a Women’s Health & HPV Campaign and mobile NURA Express screening units
• Creation of a national AI-driven epidemiological database for research and policy

This cooperation reflects the vision of Professor Moustapha Diack to use artificial intelligence for global health equity, linking Africa and Asia through applied research and innovation. The project embodies the Diack Distributed Consulting Model (DDC) — connecting governments, universities, and industries to accelerate AI for Health (AI4H), AI for Development (AI4D), and AI for Humanity.

Sources: Diack Research Lab (USA) – DEC Studio USA – Ministry of Health and Social Action (Senegal) – Nura Global Innovation Center (India).

Partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – Cybercities and the Citiverse

The Diack Research AI for Education Lab (AI4ED Lab) is partnering with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. This collaboration supports global research and capacity-building efforts on digital transformation, smart sustainable cities, and virtual worlds—collectively known as the Citiverse.

The partnership aligns with the work of ITU-T Study Group 20 and the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), led by Director Seizo Onoe, which has launched new standards initiatives on Cybercities, Digital Agriculture, and the UN Citiverse Challenge. These initiatives aim to define ethical, interoperable, and sustainable frameworks for virtual worlds and AI-driven smart cities.

Doctoral Research Collaboration

As part of this collaboration, the Diack Research AI4ED Lab and the Southern University SMED Doctoral Program are co-developing a doctoral research initiative focused on “AI Governance and Digital Transformation in ITU Cybercities and Virtual Worlds.” The doctoral project will explore how global standards for immersive and AI-enabled urban systems can foster inclusive, ethical, and climate-resilient smart cities across Africa and the Global South.

• Analysis of emerging ITU Cybercity and Citiverse standards
• Comparative studies of smart city pilots and digital-twin environments in Africa, India, and Europe
• Development of a Cybercity Readiness Index for responsible AI governance
• Collaboration with UN-Habitat and ITU partners on digital inclusion and sustainability

This initiative reflects the Diack Distributed Consulting Model, connecting international organizations, academic institutions, and government partners to co-design global research frameworks on AI, ethics, and sustainable digital transformation.

Source: ITU-T Study Group 20, Digital Transformation and Cities Digest (September 2025); Diack Research Lab (AI4ED Lab, USA); Southern University System (SMED Doctoral Program).

Partnership with the ITU AI for Good Global Initiative

The Diack Research AI for Education Lab (AI4ED Lab) is an active member of the AI for Good Global Initiative, the flagship United Nations platform organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with over 40 UN agencies and global partners. AI for Good connects innovators, researchers, and policymakers worldwide to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible and inclusive AI.

Our Engagement and Contributions

The DiackResearch Network participates in numerous AI for Good workshops, webinars, and innovation challenges focusing on education, health, ethics, and sustainable development. Through this partnership, the Lab mobilizes its network of scholars, doctoral students, and research associates across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. to contribute to the AI for Good community of practice.

• Organization and co-hosting of AI for Good global conferences and side events in collaboration with ITU.
• Regular participation in AI for Health, AI for Education, and AI Ethics tracks through panels, hackathons, and workshops.
• Engagement of doctoral and graduate students from Southern University and partner institutions as paper and poster presenters.
• Contribution to AI policy dialogues on governance, equity, and human-centered design of intelligent systems.
• Utilization of the AI for Good Discovery resources for classroom integration, case studies, and research projects.

Boostlingo — Multilingual AI Communication

Diack Research Lab partners with Boostlingo to deliver inclusive language access for our global community. Their platform combines AI speech translation, remote simultaneous interpretation, and multilingual captioning for webinars, workshops, and large-scale online events.

Services We’ll Use

• Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) with language channels
• AI captions/subtitles in 130+ languages + downloadable transcripts
• Speech-to-speech AI interpretation (EN⇄FR/AR/PT)
• On-demand phone & video interpreting (OPI/VRI)
• Custom glossary & terminology training for AADDIE
• Zoom/Teams/Webex/Meet integrations; stream overlays
• Multilingual UI, accessibility & screen-reader support
• Scheduling, QA checks, and analytics/reporting

ADDIE 2026 — Fully Online Delivery

• Language scope: EN, FR, AR, PT + captions in 130+ languages
• Program: plenaries, parallel tracks, poster rooms, and media briefings
• Attendee experience: one-click language picker; captions toggle
• Speakers & students: tech rehearsals, glossary onboarding, live support
• Outputs: multilingual recordings and transcripts for the ADDIE Library