Pranava Maganti is a Computer Science major at Iowa State University and the founder and president of the AI and ML Club. Driven by a passion for making artificial intelligence and machine learning accessible to all students regardless of background or experience, Maganti established the club to foster a collaborative environment for learning, experimentation, and innovation.
Discovering a Passion for AI
The focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning goes back to when he first chose to major in Computer Science after originally majoring in Bioinformatics. During his freshman year, he enrolled in COM S 1270 (Introduction to Computer Programming), a course that led him to decide to major in Computer Science after experiencing Dr. Aldaco’s engaging teaching style and enthusiasm for computer science.
“What excites me most about Computer Science is the ability to turn an idea into something real and useful,” he explained. “Over time, I became especially interested in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning because they combine logic, creativity, and problem-solving in a way that keeps evolving.”
Creating a Community of Learners
“AI can feel intimidating at first,” Maganti said, “but consistency makes all the difference. The more you practice, the more you will understand how things work. And if you can, join a community or club. Learning with others keeps you motivated and helps you grow faster.”
That mindset is what led Maganti to create the club. His initial exploration of artificial intelligence and machine learning began with small personal projects and online datasets. As his interests deepened, so did his realization that there was a need on campus for collaborative spaces for students to explore these emerging technologies together.
Motivated by this need, he shared the idea with a few friends, who quickly expressed interest. What started as informal meetings about what they were learning and working on projects together soon turned into a structured organization offering workshops, project teams, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
“When I started the AI & ML Club, I only had an idea and a few curious friends,” Maganti added later on. “With consistency and teamwork, it became something much bigger. Passion draws people in, and once you build a shared purpose, everything else follows.”
Since its founding, the AI and ML Club has grown into a community for learning, developing, and collaboration with a positive atmosphere. Watching it grow each semester and seeing more students engage with AI has been, for Maganti, an “incredibly fulfilling” experience.
Teaching and Mentorship
Through the club, Maganti’s also honed his teaching and mentoring skills. He’s also used and developed them throughout his time as an undergraduate teaching assistant. He began working as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Summer 2023 and has served as a TA for 4 classes: COM S 1270 (Introduction to Computer Programming), COM S 2270 (Object-Oriented Programming), COM S 2280 (Introduction to Data Structures), and COM S 3190 (Construction of User Interfaces).
“Working with students across these courses has been incredibly meaningful,” he said. “I enjoy helping them debug, understand programming concepts, and build confidence through hands-on practice.”
“Teaching has also shaped how I lead the AI & ML Club, Maganti added. “It taught me to explain complex ideas in simple terms and create an environment where students feel supported, curious, and motivated to learn.”
Internship Impact
Another experience Maganti had that helped him with his work with AI and ML at Iowa State was his internship at CISCO. He worked on developing AI-driven tools that automated weekly reporting tasks and streamlined CI/CD pipelines, and also contributed to building a multi-agent AI system designed to analyze and synthesize data from different regions in real time to support automation and decision-making. The experience helped connect classroom learning to practical, scalable applications and further deepened his understanding of how intentionally designed AI systems can improve efficiency across complex environments.
“It was exciting to apply what I had learned through my coursework to projects that solve real problems at scale. That experience helped me see how Computer Science can make a direct impact when applied thoughtfully and with purpose.”
How To Get Started
When asked what advice he’d give to other students, he encouraged them to take the initiative.
“If you have an idea, do not wait for someone else to start it. Even if it is just you in the beginning, that is enough. Find a few people who share your enthusiasm, set clear goals, and let it grow naturally.”