In spring 2025, students in the UW Tech Exploration Lab explored bold ideas at the intersection of emerging technologies and real-world challenges. Projects ranged from using AI models to optimize retail promotional strategies, to leveraging AI and thermal imaging for wildfire risk management, to designing personalized memory care tools for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Each effort reflects the Lab’s mission to empower students to rapidly prototype, test feasibility, and pursue high-impact solutions.
We’re excited to see this work featured in a recent UW–Madison News article showcasing the creativity, curiosity, and collaboration that defined the semester.
And the momentum continues—two of the teams featured in the article are now advancing their ideas through the Lab’s AI Venture Discovery Pilot this summer, where they’ll dive deeper into user validation, market potential, and business model experimentation with support from mentors and partners.