Dr. Taotao Cai
Artificial intelligence, graph learning, and trustworthy AI for real-world systems, with a strong focus on translational, industry-engaged research.
- Email: taotao.cai@unisq.edu.au
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fVUvY0QAAAAJ
- UniSQ profile: https://staffprofile.unisq.edu.au/Profile/Taotao-Cai
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taotao-cai-24a328140/
Profile
Dr Taotao Cai is a Senior Lecturer in Computing at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Program Director for the Master of Cyber Security, and an Honorary Lecturer at Macquarie University. He has also undertaken leadership roles in HDR coordination and major course convenorship in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
He commenced his fully funded PhD in Computer Science at The University of Western Australia in January 2017 and transferred to Deakin University in March 2019 following his principal supervisor’s move. He completed his PhD at Deakin University in November 2020. Prior to this, he obtained an M.Phil. in Computer Science from Shenzhen University. Before joining UniSQ, he was an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Macquarie University.
Research Interests
- Foundational graph learning (graph representation learning, graph neural networks, dynamic network reasoning)
- Trustworthy AI for social and information ecosystems (misinformation mining, influence modeling, robust prediction)
- AI for sustainable systems (renewable energy, remote sensing, resilient infrastructure, smart construction)
- AI for intelligent transportation and operational decision support
Grants & Key Projects
Role: Lead Chief Investigator (Lead CI) · Funding: AEA Ignite Round 2 · Amount: $549,886 (AEA $474,886 + Industry $75,000)
This project aims to develop an AI-powered safety assurance platform to reduce incidents and ease administrative burdens in Australian construction. We will create a lightweight, domain-specific LLM with construction-savvy reasoning using partner data. The key deliverable is a TRL 5 Proactive Safety Assurance Module, validated in the partner’s environment, that automates SWMS compliance auditing and generates dynamic safety checklists. Advancing the technology from TRL 3 to TRL 5 provides a clear commercialisation pathway for construction SMEs.
Role: Chief Investigator (CI) (Lead: Dr. Yanming Zhu, Griffith University) · Funding: AEA Ignite Round 1 · Amount: $508,442 (AEA $429,720 + Industry $78,722)
The goal is to analyse grid data and predict grid frequency fluctuations to optimise power dispatch and battery storage in solar power systems, enabling efficient intelligent energy management. This reduces power supply costs and enhances the stability and efficiency of the national grid. Building on the team’s TRL 3 techniques, the project targets a semi-integrated system and aims to reach TRL 5 to support commercialisation.
- [2025] Pilot Research Support Scheme (UniSQ ECR Funding) — $10,000
- [2024] Fake News Detection Research (UniSQ Collaboration Grants) — $4,000
News (recent)
- [02/2026] One paper accepted by IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (TGRS) (SCI Q1, Top-tier). Congratulations to Penghui!
- [01/2026] AEA Ignite Round 2 project (Lead CI, IG250200014) officially announced as funded (AEA $474,886 + Industry $75,000).
Official announcement: AEA Ignite news - [08/2025] “Community-Diversified Influence Maximization in Social Networks” selected as one of Information Systems (CORE A*)’s most influential papers of the past decade.
Virtual special issue: Information Systems (50th Anniversary) - [08/2025] Congrats to Han Li on successfully forming his Nascent Soul (A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality).
- [05/2025] Congrats to Penghui — “LG-Umer … for Road Extraction from Remote Sensing Images” accepted by IEEE JSTARS (SCI Q1).
- [03/2025] Secured AEA Ignite Grant (IG240100414; AEA $429,720) for “Intelligent FCAS Agent for Renewable Energy Power Systems.”
Project announcement: UniSQ LinkedIn post
Explore More
CSC2220 Artificial Intelligence
An interactive atlas of AI history, agent systems, world models, landmark papers, and videos for students and curious visitors.
Teaching & Supervision
Course leadership, curriculum design, and HDR supervision across AI and software systems.
Service & Professional Activities
Editorial roles, reviewer contributions, and conference organization for the research community.
Miscellaneous
Personal favorites and selected videos that reflect interests beyond academic work.