FUTURE FORWARD

The University of Florida, ranked as a top five public university and one of the most innovative universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is leading the way in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development in higher education. With a first-of-its-kind, “AI Across the Curriculum” approach, the university’s comprehensive push to infuse technologies of the future across academic disciplines is giving students, faculty and researchers access to tools that advance learning and accelerate research in all areas of study.

The new curriculum includes robust courses and a comprehensive certificate program that covers the fundamentals of AI, ethics in AI and AI applications in every discipline. In demonstration with the university’s commitment to equitable, ethical and inclusive education, students in every major are encouraged to learn the fundamentals of AI and data science, equipping them to successfully navigate a world in which technology permeates careers and everyday life. The University, which is hiring 100 new AI-focused faculty, expects to graduate thousands of students with, at minimum, a basic understanding of AI — playing a crucial role in the development and training of an AI enabled workforce.

THOUGHTS CONNECT. MOMENTUM BUILDS.

Students, faculty and researchers across disciplines are collaborating on how to use AI to tackle the most pressing social, economic and environmental issues.

Some of the key research initiatives include:

The College of Engineering and the University of Florida Center for Coastal Solutions are using AI to predict and prevent environmental, health and economic impacts to Florida’s coastal communities.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is exploring research into the ethics of using artificial intelligence to assist police officers in anticipating crime before it happens.

In the College of Education, faculty are working at the intersections of data mining, computational psychometrics, machine learning, and applied AI to dramatically improve learning outcomes and to transform education for students of all ages, from all backgrounds.

UF Health doctors and scientists are harnessing the power of GatorTron^TM, a language model, to accelerate medical research and decision-making. Researchers at the College of Health and Human Performance are using AI to diagnose and advance the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and other age-related disorders.

Among other research, the Warrington College of Business is exploring the use of AI in building a bias-aware analytical process that can prevent machine learning biases from entering Human Resources practices. The College has also changed its graduation requirements to integrate AI into every student’s course of study.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) uses data science to help farmers grow healthier, more tasty crops — with better outcomes. Produce once mostly grown in the western U.S. is now being harvested here in the tropical climate of Florida, making fresher fruits and vegetables more readily available to families across the country and beyond.

The College of Law is developing the appropriate ecosystem of ethics, governance, incentives, and safeguards to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its harms in multiple areas, including FinTech, criminal justice, and health care regulation.

Meet HiPerGator

“Recognition of UF’s computing capability on the TOP500 list underscores the readiness of our IT infrastructure to tackle the most challenging real-world problems, whose resolution will build the future of our state and nation, and to build at scale the nation’s 21st-century AI workforce.”

_{Joe Glover, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs}

IFAS AI research is yielding healthier crops

INNOVATION UNLEASHED

Powering these breakthrough initiatives is the University of Florida’s “HiPerGator AI” — the most powerful university-owned supercomputer in the nation. It is ranked No. 2 on the Green500 list of energy efficient supercomputers and No. 22 on the Top500 list, the most referenced global ranking of high-performance computing systems.

“Having a top-rated supercomputer changes the narrative on what we can and cannot do,” said Elias G. Eldayrie, UF vice president and chief information officer. “It gives our faculty and students access to technology that’s not available at the majority of higher education institutions in the world — and the impact goes beyond the University of Florida.”

LAUNCHING FROM FLORIDA, FORWARD.

Amplifying its mission of equity and inclusion, the University of Florida has invited other institutions from the State University System of Florida and universities across the Southeast, along with electrical and computer engineering departments from 15 historically black colleges and universities, and two Hispanic serving institutions to participate in extensive training. As the state’s leaders work to grow and diversify the economy, this bold initiative will give faculty and students access to cutting-edge AI tools and help cultivate a new technology-driven, high-wage economy.

“Already, AI and data science technology are impacting every sector of the economy, from manufacturing and agriculture to financial technologies and drug development,” said Joe Glover, UF provost. “By engaging the State University System and offering unprecedented access to groundbreaking technology, we are opening doors for researchers and students across the state who are eager to play a role in building a 21st century economy.”

Health care, agriculture, climate research and manufacturing are just a sample of the industries across Florida, and the entire region, that will have the tools and talent needed to improve business decisions and outcomes.

“AI is transforming every segment of American life, with applications ranging from medical diagnostics and precision agriculture to advanced manufacturing and autonomous transportation,” said David Norton, UF vice president for research. “Analysts predict that the AI economy will represent over $10 trillion in economic output by the end of this decade. As home to a world-class university leading the way in AI research and education, Florida has an unparalleled opportunity to attract the best and brightest people and industries to our state.”

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S FAR-REACHING IMPACT

From fresh produce and more resilient coastlines, to earlier detection of disease and individualized medical treatment, the future of the Sunshine State is brighter than ever. Preparing graduates to be successful in applying an understanding of AI to all industries and sectors is going to transform Florida’s economy into a diversified, technology-driven, high wage economy. To learn more about the many ways the University of Florida is using AI and innovation to move Florida forward, visit ai.ufl.edu

Learn about the University of Florida’s AI research

Century Tower on UF campus at night

This content was paid for and created by University of Florida. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.