National University of Singapore · Graduate Seminar

AI-driven Innovation
from Deep-tech Research

A graduate seminar that encourages PhD students to be innovators at heart — focusing on the use of AI to generate value across a variety of science and technology fields.

When Fridays, 1:00–3:00 PM
Where BIZ2-0202
Term 14 Aug – 13 Nov 2026
See the schedule About the module

Announcements

For Week 4 on Friday, 4 September, class will be held from 1:00–3:00 PM in the Executive Classroom, COM2 Level 4, instead of BIZ2-0202.

About this course

Translation of deep-tech research involves bringing out the core differential, understanding how it actually moves the needle in terms of technology, and how it can be of societal impact by addressing pain points.

This course will encourage PhD students to be innovators at heart while conducting their research. It will specifically focus on the use of AI to generate value in a variety of science and technology fields.

It will also create space for interdisciplinary discussions across different fields where the research content may be different, but the innovation pathways are shared via the use of AI.

People

Weekly schedule

Every session runs Fridays, 1:00–3:00 PM at BIZ2-0202, unless noted below.

  1. W1
    Fri · 14 Aug

    Initial discussion with students — their ideas about innovation — what is innovation — Listening week

  2. W2
    Fri · 21 Aug

    Fish model of PhD — placing of innovation with respect to research

    • Continued and more structured discussion of the three case studies
  3. W3
    Fri · 28 Aug

    Example of successful AI-driven innovation — AutoCodeRover / BetterData/ ...

  4. W4
    Fri · 4 Sep

    Venue change Executive Classroom · COM2 Level 4

    Funding model — visit by VCs

  5. W5
    Fri · 11 Sep

    Discussion by students on what role AI can play in innovation of their deep-tech PhD

  6. W6
    Fri · 18 Sep

    From university research to entrepreneurship: view from the university

    • Sharing by Dr. Tan Sian Wee, Senior VP (Innovation and Enterprise), NUS
  7. ·
    22–26 Sep · no class

    Recess week

  8. W7
    Fri · 2 Oct

    Discussion of sample pitch deck by instructor/TA

  9. W8
    9 Oct · no class

    NUS Well-being Day

  10. W9
    Fri · 16 Oct

    Sharing by Venture Architects — Go to Market (GTM) strategies

    • Dr Sid Andalam, NUS Enterprise
    • Dr Rosalind, NUS Enterprise
  11. W10
    Fri · 23 Oct

    Sharing by successful academic entrepreneur / innovation experts

  12. W11
    Fri · 30 Oct

    Pitch by students — I

  13. W12
    Fri · 6 Nov

    Pitch by students — II

  14. W13
    Fri · 13 Nov

    Group exercise: meet in class and craft a joint report together

Materials

Session materials

Readings & references

Papers and links will be posted here as the sem goes on.