AI tools aren’t a creativity machine on their own, Rice expert says
Can generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools that create text, images and other content truly enhance employee creativity? A new paper published in the Journal of Applied Psychology and co-authored by Jing Zhou, Rice’s Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Management, finds that generative AI doesn’t enhance creativity equally for everyone. Instead, its impact depends on how well people manage their own thinking while using it.
Pattern Materials makes its mark in Houston
A Rice graduate student has launched a company aiming to make graphene production faster, cheaper and more scalable. Alex Lathem founded Pattern Materials in January to commercialize his proprietary laser-induced graphene and flash graphene technologies, which create graphene and carbon nanotube-like patterns in a single, rapid step. He believes these materials, known for their exceptional electrical conductivity, flexibility and strength, could significantly enhance the performance of sensors and other electronic devices.
New national survey reveals what American consumers truly value across 18 key industries
The 2025 Customer Value Report, authored by marketing researchers at Rice and the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, evaluates 18 sectors representing the full spectrum of American consumer life — from banking, education and health care to streaming services and law enforcement.
Research takes center stage on Rice homepage amid national funding developments
With federal research funding in the headlines in recent months, Rice's Office of Public Affairs is spotlighting what’s at stake — and what’s possible — by putting the university’s research enterprise front and center on its newly updated homepage.
Sustainable practices can be based in nature, expert says
Rice biogeochemist Carrie Masiello was a headliner in CERAWeek’s “lyceum” where experts from industry and academia present research and technical expertise at the annual energy conference in Houston.
Energy transition is also a tech transition, Rice experts stress
Rice research was well represented at CERAWeek, the annual energy conference in Houston. It provides a global and high-level framework for understanding what’s ahead for energy markets and forums to exchange insights and solutions among academic and industry peers.
Rice experts at CERAWeek showcase their research
CERAWeek, an annual energy conference, kicked off March 10, and Rice experts are presenting their work on the energy transition.
Federal research funding feeds technological advancement, US official says at Baker Institute event
Dario Gil, senior vice president and director of research at IBM and recently nominated undersecretary for science and innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy, spoke at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 4 about the importance of research and development (R&D) funding and the future of U.S. science and technology (S&T).
Racial earning gap in gig work eliminated through new rating system
A new study published in Nature uncovers a hidden problem — racial bias in customer evaluations — which led to a 9% income gap between white and non-white gig workers in a home services platform. The study also proposes an unexpected but simple solution: changing how customers rate workers from a five-star to a thumbs-up/thumbs-down system.
Research universities enable innovation by doing much of the behind-the-scenes work
Two university presidents hosted a conversation at the Ion Feb. 24 to discuss how American research universities serve the public. Rice University President Reginald DesRoches and Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University (ASU), shared how research universities are engines of innovation, economic growth and social mobility while educating millions and driving scientific and technological discovery to help sustain U.S. global competitiveness.
US research universities’ innovation and future to be examined at Ion event Feb. 24
Rice President Reginald DesRoches and ASU President Michael Crow, two distinguished leaders in higher education and public service, will discuss the evolving role of U.S. research universities in driving innovation, equity, accessibility and affordability and more Feb. 24 at the Ion — Houston’s innovation hub powered by Rice. The event will include a livestream option with the recording available afterward.
Brain health initiatives can learn from heart health, Rice Baker Institute expert says
A national commitment to improve the U.S. population’s brain health through research, education and investment can provide economic benefits, according to an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Rice researchers have developed a tool designed to make identifying and analyzing research security risks more efficient and effective. The new tool, called PRISM (Preventive RISk Monitoring), leverages advanced artificial intelligence technologies to help with rapidly evolving federal regulations and protect against potential reputational and financial risks.
Rice Business Wisdom: Hidden inequality exists in auto lending
Rice’s Alex Butler and James Weston uncover troubling inequalities in America’s auto loan market. Using a dataset that spans over a decade, the experts at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business find that Black and Hispanic borrowers face higher rejection rates and steeper borrowing costs than white borrowers, even when they have comparable credit profiles.
Mexico is likely to face challenges politically, economically and diplomatically in 2025, according to the newest edition of the Mexico Country Outlook from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy released this week. The report provides a strategic edge to investors, businesses and policymakers as they navigate Mexico’s complex, ever-evolving political and regulatory landscape as well as its relationship with the U.S. and President-elect Donald Trump.
