A combined $10 million from Texas Christian University (TCU) and corporate contributions will support a new artificial intelligence initiative aimed at fostering responsible technology use for research and education, university officials announced on Tuesday. The funding will be directed towards AI² — Accelerating Institutional AI — which seeks to enhance research capabilities utilizing secure, high-powered computing resources, while also supporting students and integrating AI across the university campus.
“We’re pleased to harness the opportunity and innovation of AI to accelerate learning, drive operational efficiency and expand research impact for our community at even greater scale,” TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin stated in a news release. He emphasized that the launch of AI² represents a significant investment in the university’s strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values in Action, particularly benefiting students, faculty, and staff.
The initiative will leverage physical computing infrastructure and cloud capabilities from notable technology companies, including Dell Technologies, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft. This collaboration is expected to bolster TCU’s ambition to achieve R1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes institutions with the highest level of research activity.
“AI² gives our faculty and students a world-class tool to foster interdisciplinary research partnerships and generate high-impact outcomes,” said Reuben F. Burch V, vice provost for research at TCU. In recent years, the university’s faculty have begun integrating AI into classroom projects to enhance educational methodologies. For instance, Professor Leslie Browning-Samoni engaged fashion merchandising students in using AI for class projects, which subsequently informed her doctoral dissertation.
As TCU implements the initiative, the university plans to consult with faculty to develop AI applications in teaching and research, as well as to conduct research on the technology itself, ensuring its ethical use. “TCU’s investment is more than hardware and software — it’s another proof point that we are serious about innovation and impact,” Bryan Lucas, TCU’s chief technology officer, commented in the release. “In coming months, we will be launching additional tools and services for faculty teaching and research, student learning certificates that prepare them for real-world AI uses, and institutional tools that enable TCU to continue to offer the best academic experience in the country.”
The launch of AI² is indicative of a broader trend in higher education, where institutions increasingly recognize the potential of AI to transform learning and research environments. With the integration of advanced technology, TCU aims to position itself at the forefront of academic innovation, thereby enhancing educational experiences and research capabilities within its community.
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