As artificial intelligence technology permeates seemingly every industry in some form, UCF is launching an effort to lead the way. School officials announced Wednesday the establishment of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence.
The interdisciplinary program brings together 25 faculty members from various colleges.
The IAI will become a central hub to unite those who are working in foundational and applied AI.
The disciplines include robots, computer vision, finance, mathematics, machine learning and healthcare.
“By bringing together leading faculty, motivated students and forward-thinking partners, the institute will unlock new possibilities across disciplines,” appointed director of the institute Mubarak Shah said in a press release announcing the news.
Shah, who is the trustee chair in the computer science department, will become the institute’s inaugural director.
The collaborative effort will involve faculty from the business, engineering and computer science, medicine and sciences colleges.
It will also include industry partnerships, as well.
UCF faculty regularly publish papers and secure millions in funding for AI-related research and projects.
Grants set UCF apart with key partnerships
Recently, the awards have included grants from groups like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
The goal is to position UCF as a nucleus for collaboration and education, along with discovery of AI’s real-world impact.
“AI is massively transforming how we live, work and learn,” UCF President Alexander Cartwright said in the release, adding that the school is uniquely positioned in the space. “This initiative reflects our broader commitment to grow research, scale our areas of excellence, and prepare students to lead in a technology-driven future.”
This move comes as UCF’s computer vision research already ranks No. 8 nationally, underscoring existing strengths in the field.
UCF’s local partnerships, including those with Leidos in defense, Mitsubishi Power Americas in energy and others demonstrate existing engagement into AI research.