AAI_2025_Capstone_Chronicles_Combined

Dear Reader,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 edition of Capstone Chronicles , our second annual publication showcasing exemplary projects from the MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence program at the University of San Diego. This volume reflects not only another year of exceptional student achievement, but also the continued evolution of a program dedicated to preparing AI professionals for meaningful, responsible, and impactful work. The University of San Diego’s online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence is committed to training current and future leaders in this transformative field. Our program places strong emphasis on real-world applications, ethical responsibility, and the pursuit of social good in the design and deployment of AI-enabled systems. Developed by AI experts in close collaboration with industry and government stakeholders, the curriculum provides rigorous technical preparation grounded in practical implementation. Each graduating cohort represented in this edition—Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025—includes approximately 30-35 students. In our Capstone course, students synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to design and build AI-enabled systems that address real-world problems. Projects may be completed individually or in teams of up to four, offering flexibility while maintaining the high standards of collaboration, innovation, and accountability that define the Capstone experience. Throughout the course, students identify a meaningful problem, develop a formal project proposal, implement a technical solution, and rigorously evaluate their results. Every project must demonstrate original work, including data identification and preparation, thoughtful selection of tools and algorithms, and the development and training of at least one neural network or deep learning model from scratch using frameworks such as PyTorch, Keras, or TensorFlow. Beyond technical excellence, students are expected to integrate ethical, moral, and social considerations directly into their design process—an essential hallmark of our program. We extend our sincere appreciation to the students whose hard work and dedication fill these pages, as well as to the faculty mentors who guide them and the industry partners who help ensure our curriculum remains relevant and forward-looking. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the achievements of our 2025 graduates. We hope this edition of Capstone Chronicles inspires current and future students, collaborators, and leaders in artificial intelligence.​

Sincerely, The 2025 Capstone Chronicles Editorial Team

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Anna Marbut

Ebrahim Tarshizi

This letter was composed with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

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