Smart Sensors and AI for Coastal Destination Resilience

Exploring the frontiers of artificial intelligence and data science for coastal destination resilience

Our VIP program at FAU

Enjoyable, Livable, and Sustainable Coastal Destinations

Our Research

Our research explores how smart technologies, such as sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), can help balance the needs of tourists and residents. By studying local conditions and human behavior, we aim to design solutions protecting coastal areas while supporting a thriving tourism economy.

Our Strategy

Communty-centered AI and Data Science to co-design resilient coastal destinations for everyone

  • Gather information from environmental sensors, live video feeds, and social media
  • Conduct surveys and focus groups with residents and tourists
  • Use AI and data science to find patterns in behaviors and stress points (e.g., overcrowding, waste hotspots, resident-visitor conflicts)
  • Build interactive dashboards for transparent, community-friendly decision making

Social Values and Impact

Our project helps Florida’s coasts remain vibrant and healthy for future generations.

  • Help residents enjoy a better quality of life with reduced stress and congestion
  • Offer tourists safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable experiences
  • Support policymakers and local businesses with data-driven tools for smarter planning
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Training on AI and Data Science

Exploring diverse domains of AI/DS through hands-on experiences and real-world applications

Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment Analysis

Analyzing text data to understand the sentiment and opinions of tourists and residents.

Social Media

Marketing Analytics

Collecting and analyzing data from social media to understand tourist/resident behavior and opinions.

Surveyor

Survey Skills

Gathering and analyzing data from surveys and focus groups to understand human behavior and opinions.

Technology

IoT Sensing

Collecting real-world data from sensors and devices to monitor environmental conditions and human activities.

Computer

Computer Vision

Using computer vision to analyze images and videos to understand human behavior and activities.

Dashboard

Data Science

Extracting meaningful insights from large datasets and developing predictive models.

Psychology

Social Science

Understanding human behavior and social interactions to design effective interventions.

Balance

Engineering Ethics

Ensuring AI systems are developed with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

city

Smart Tourism

Data-driven co-designing communities to create sustainable and livable environments.

Our Team

Meet the researchers driving innovation

Dr. Soyoung Park

Dr. Soyoung Park

Program Director

Assistant Professor
College of Business. FAU

Dr. Jinwoo Jang

Dr. Jinwoo Jang

Program Co-director

Associate Professor
College of Engineering and Computer Science. FAU

Mr. Mark Hicks

Mr. Marc Anthony Hicks

Peer Mentor

Undergraduate Student
College of Engineering and Computer Science. FAU

News & Updates

Stay informed about our latest developments and achievements

September 2025

Student Recruitment

Applications now open for undergraduate and graduate students interested in AI, data science, and coastal sustainability.

August 2025

VIP Seed Grant Funding Secured

Received seed funding to initiate our multi-disciplinary research on AI-driven coastal resilience and sustainable tourism.

Get In Touch

Interested in our research? Let's collaborate

Dr. Park Email

soyoungpark@fau.edu

Dr. Jang Email

jangj@fau.edu

Address

777 Glades Road
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL 33431