UT Dallas Students Shine in Amazon Nova AI Challenge
A team of brilliant students from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has achieved remarkable success on the global stage by securing a highly sought-after position in the Amazon Nova AI Challenge. This innovative competition, initiated by Amazon, aims to strengthen the security infrastructure of software developed using artificial intelligence. The UTD team is among a select group of ten teams worldwide chosen to participate in this cutting-edge event.
The UTD team, known as ASTRO (AI Security and Trustworthiness Operations), is one of five ‘red teams’ tasked with identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in code-generating models developed by five ‘model developer’ teams. The selection process was extremely competitive, with over 90 proposals vying for a spot in the tournament. The Comets have shown exceptional promise, earning them the opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international platform.
The Amazon Nova AI Challenge began in January and is scheduled to culminate in a final round in June. Each participating team receives significant support, including $250,000 in sponsorship, monthly Amazon Web Services credits, and the chance to compete for substantial prizes. The winning red team and model developer team will each be awarded $250,000, while the second-place teams will receive $100,000. This generous support highlights the importance of the challenge and Amazon’s commitment to fostering innovation in AI security.
Leading the UTD team is Zexin (Jason) Xu, a computer science PhD student. Xu brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously served as an engineering lead in the first Amazon Alexa Prize SimBot Challenge during his master’s studies at Ohio State University. His leadership and expertise are crucial to ASTRO’s success in the Amazon Nova AI Challenge.
Xu aptly describes the team’s work as ‘learning to fly while building the rocket.’ This perfectly captures the dynamic and challenging nature of the competition, where the team must simultaneously acquire new knowledge and skills while working towards a common goal.
‘There’s something exhilarating about being professional AI ‘hackers,’ with ethical boundaries, searching for vulnerabilities in the vast universe of large language models so they can be patched before they can cause any harm,’ Xu said. ‘There’s a certain cosmic poetry to our work — just as our university’s Comet mascot streaks across the sky, we’re charting new trajectories in AI safety.’ Xu’s words emphasize the team’s dedication to ethical AI development and their commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of AI systems.
The ASTRO team comprises a diverse group of talented individuals, including computer science doctoral students Ravishka Rathnasuriya, Tingxi Li, and Zihe Song; Jun Ren BS’24; computer science senior Bhavesh Mandalapu; and mechanical engineering doctoral student Soroush Setayeshpour. This multidisciplinary team brings a wide range of skills and perspectives to the challenge, enhancing their ability to identify and address complex security issues. The blend of expertise from different academic levels and disciplines allows them to approach challenges from various angles and generate innovative solutions. Their collaborative environment fosters knowledge sharing and strengthens their collective problem-solving capabilities.
Dr. Wei Yang, associate professor of computer science and one of the team’s faculty advisors, emphasizes the unique composition and depth of expertise within the ASTRO team. Dr. Xinya Du, assistant professor of computer science, also serves as an advisor to the team, providing guidance and support. Their collective expertise ensures that the team receives the necessary mentorship to thrive in the Amazon Nova AI Challenge. The faculty advisors provide invaluable insights, technical guidance, and strategic direction, enabling the students to navigate the complexities of the competition effectively. The advisors’ experience in AI security and software engineering enhances the team’s overall performance and increases their chances of success.
‘What makes ASTRO particularly unique is our team’s diverse composition and depth of expertise across all academic levels,’ said Dr. Yang. This diversity is a key strength, allowing the team to approach challenges from multiple angles and leverage a wide range of skills and knowledge. The team’s ability to integrate perspectives from different academic levels provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and allows them to develop more robust solutions. Furthermore, the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the team members contribute to a more creative and innovative problem-solving process.
The Amazon Nova AI Challenge is a testament to the growing importance of AI security in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. As AI systems become more prevalent and integrated into various aspects of our lives, ensuring their security and trustworthiness is of paramount importance. The UTD team’s participation in this challenge demonstrates their commitment to advancing the field of AI security and contributing to the development of more secure and reliable AI systems. Their efforts not only enhance the security of AI applications but also contribute to building trust in AI technology, which is essential for its widespread adoption.
The challenge also provides invaluable learning opportunities for the students involved. By participating in this competition, they gain practical experience in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in AI systems, developing skills that are highly sought after in the industry. This hands-on experience complements their academic studies and prepares them for future careers in AI security and related fields. The UTD team’s success in the Amazon Nova AI Challenge is a reflection of the university’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and gain practical experience in real-world applications of AI.
Professor Hansen Honored with Prestigious ISCA Service Medal
Dr. John H.L. Hansen, a distinguished professor of electrical engineering and the Distinguished Chair in Telecommunications at The University of Texas at Dallas, has been named the 2025 recipient of the ISCA Service Medal from the International Speech Communication Association. This prestigious award recognizes Hansen’s sustained contributions to education in speech technology and his efforts to expand and support diversity within the ISCA community. The award is a testament to his dedication to fostering inclusivity and promoting excellence in the field.
Hansen, a past president of ISCA and the founder and director of the Center for Robust Speech Systems (CRSS) in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, will be formally recognized at the organization’s annual conference in August in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This recognition is a testament to Hansen’s dedication and leadership in the field of speech communication. His pioneering work and commitment to advancing the field have earned him this prestigious honor. The ISCA Service Medal is a significant accolade that recognizes his outstanding contributions to both research and education in speech technology.
‘I greatly appreciate this honor from an organization to which I have devoted so much work — and which has always provided me a great sense of fulfillment — with extensive opportunities for students, including many from CRSS-UTD, as well as opportunities to support and promote the field of speech communications for all in our community,’ he said. ‘I look forward to ISCA continuing to promote both science and technology artificial intelligence/machine learning research innovations in speech communications for all in our field.’ Hansen’s words reflect his passion for the field of speech communication and his commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers and practitioners. His dedication to providing opportunities for students and promoting inclusivity within the community is truly commendable.
ISCA is the premier research community for speech communication and processing, related speech and language technologies, phonetics, and language. The Service Medal acknowledges Hansen’s significant contributions to education in speech technology, as well as his efforts to expand and support the diversity of the community and the ISCA organization. The medal has been awarded on only nine previous occasions, underscoring its significance and the high esteem in which Hansen is held by his peers. The rarity of the award highlights the exceptional nature of Hansen’s contributions and the profound impact he has had on the field.
Hansen’s commitment to diversity is evident in his creation of the ISCA Diversity Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to participate in the ISCA community. By establishing the Diversity Committee, Hansen has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable and welcoming environment for all. The committee’s initiatives have helped to increase representation and participation from underrepresented groups, fostering a more diverse and vibrant community.
He is also actively working to establish a nonprofit foundation for ISCA to support the speech communications community, with a particular focus on students entering the field. This initiative will provide much-needed resources and opportunities for aspiring speech communication professionals. The foundation will offer scholarships, grants, and mentorship programs to support students in their academic pursuits and help them launch successful careers in the field. Hansen’s vision for the foundation is to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports the next generation of speech communication researchers and practitioners.
Hansen’s dedication to the field of speech communication extends beyond his research and teaching activities. He is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and he is committed to supporting the next generation of researchers and practitioners. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field, and he is a role model for others to follow. His influence extends beyond the classroom and laboratory, as he actively engages in outreach activities and mentoring programs to inspire and support aspiring scientists and engineers. Hansen’s passion for speech communication is infectious, and he has inspired countless students to pursue careers in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
The ISCA Service Medal is a well-deserved recognition of Hansen’s outstanding contributions to the field of speech communication. His leadership, dedication, and commitment to diversity have made a significant impact on the community, and his work will continue to inspire others for years to come. His legacy will be one of excellence, innovation, and unwavering support for the speech communication community. The impact of his work will be felt for generations to come, as his students and colleagues continue to build upon his contributions and advance the field of speech technology.