Capital One and UMD host agentic systems workshop

Academic partnerships are an essential component of Capital One’s approach to advancing AI research. Our collaboration with the University of Maryland (UMD), initiated in 2017, showcases this commitment. Through support for computer science initiatives, faculty, student development and research, Capital One has engaged with UMD over the years to address challenges and opportunities in financial services.

Fostering dialogue and collaboration

On March 3, 2026, Capital One and UMD joined together to host the “Agentic Systems in Industry” workshop to facilitate dialogue on the biggest open problems in the AI space. The event featured a series of lightning talks followed by small-group discussions between UMD faculty and Capital One researchers.

A key theme that emerged from the discussion was the challenges that can arise with recommender systems, specifically value alignment. Avoiding unintended consequences may require scalable evaluations for highly complex tasks and an effort to address control theory issues in feedback loops. Across industries and use cases, explainability remains of critical importance.

Another theme centered on the challenges of summarizing large-scale datasets and integrating knowledge from disparate sources. Advancing synthetic data generation and high-fidelity data curation will require further research. Additionally, research must evaluate the applicability of new methods, such as tabular and graph foundation models, to large-scale datasets. These issues underscore the ongoing necessity of ensuring interpretability and comprehensible explanations.

“I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the UMD academic community,” said Giri Iyengar, Vice President of Specialist Models at Capital One, who was in attendance. “The experience was invigorating, and the exchange of ideas was much needed for us to continue advancing the field.”

Cultivating the next generation of AI practitioners

Cultivating the next generation of AI talent is a critical pillar of successful campus-based research. The event included a poster session where Capital One researchers engaged with students on open research problems. The workshop concluded at the Capital One Tech Incubator, located in the UMD Discovery District, providing a final opportunity for community and connection among workshop attendees, university administrators and graduate students.

By working alongside institutions like UMD, Capital One can drive innovation through joint research and cultivate the next generation of AI practitioners. These strategic collaborations are crucial for unlocking AI’s full potential to transform financial services and deliver superior experiences for our customers.