Oregon Tech Professor KC Santosh, Ph.D., recently served as the opening keynote speaker at the Workshop Series on Reliable and Interpretable Deep Learning: Challenges, Theories and Applications in Biomedical Informatics (WS-RIDL 2026), held Aug. 17-21 in Hong Kong. Santosh is a Professor of Oregon Tech’s newly launched Bachelor of Science in AI, Chair of the Computer Systems Engineering Technology and Applied Computing departments, and Director of the Center of Excellence in Applied Computing at Oregon Tech.
Hosted by Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Saint Francis University, the five-day international workshop brought together graduate students, faculty members, scientists, researchers, and industry professionals to explore advances in trustworthy artificial intelligence and biomedical informatics. Participants represented universities and organizations from around the world, including Australia, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Santosh opened the conference with a keynote presentation on sustainable, human-centered AI, addressing the growing need for solutions that prioritize social well-being. The presentation examined the environmental impacts of large-scale AI systems, including their energy consumption and carbon footprint, while emphasizing the importance of developing technologies that advance social well-being in a responsible and sustainable way.
"The event enabled me to share my experience in foundational AI and practical applications, including precision medicine, with an international audience," Santosh said. "It also offered a platform to promote Oregon Tech’s accomplishments, including its national recognition in engineering education, and to build relationships that can support future research, student engagement, and global collaboration."
Santosh connected with researchers, educators, and industry leaders from numerous countries, highlighting Oregon Tech's hands-on approach to technology education and research.
During the visit, Santosh also met with conference chairs, academic leaders, and deans to discuss potential research collaborations and educational partnerships. Conversations included possible 3+2 and 4+1 academic pathways involving Oregon Tech's College of Engineering, Technology, and Management, as well as opportunities for future collaborative research and student engagement.
"Hong Kong was exceptionally welcoming, and the conference provided a valuable setting for meaningful conversations with international colleagues," Santosh said. "The visit established a strong foundation for potential future collaboration and institutional partnerships."
The keynote invitation reflected Santosh's international leadership in artificial intelligence. He serves as an Associate Editor for several leading journals, chairs major AI conferences, participates on National Science Foundation and Mitacs review panels, and contributes to the NIST's AI Standard and Innovation as well as the U.S. Speaker Program on AI education. With approximately $10 million in research funding from federal and other agencies, 13 books, including one on academic leadership, more than 280 peer-reviewed research articles, and over 100 international keynote addresses, including a TEDx Talk, he has established a strong record of scholarly achievement, leadership, and global impact.
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