Auburn established as leading force in ever-evolving AI world

The artificial intelligence (AI) realm is as transformative as any industry these days, and Auburn University is emerging as a leading force in that space.

Whether it is innovative AI-related research designed to revolutionize industries, the implementation of AI in higher education curriculum or the application of AI capabilities in an ever-growing list of fields, Auburn faculty, students and staff are on the forefront of advancements driven by the evolving technology. From the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning’s incorporation of AI into faculty’s operations and processes, to the university-wide AI@AU initiative led by the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn’s practical and effective use of AI is helping shape countless futures.

That includes innovative implementation of AI in the classroom in fascinating and exciting ways, with nearly 1,000 faculty and graduate students already utilizing AI in their instruction.

“We’re building AI literacy through initiatives like the Biggio Center’s “Teaching with AI” course that is used by all SEC institutions and instructors at every Alabama community college,” said Asim Ali, Biggio Center executive director. “We also have several academic programs, including a proposed undergraduate AI certificate, which will equip students from any discipline with critical AI skills for the future. Our goal is to ensure that Auburn graduates are not only knowledgeable about the benefits and pitfalls of AI, but also prepared to lead in a world where AI plays a central role in their careers and communities.”

AI@AU, designed to expand AI research and education across campus, has several programs, projects and initiatives fueling thought-sharing and growth, including an AI-STEM education integration, the Fall 2024 AI@AU Forum and even the AI@AU Fall Film Festival.

“In the future, we expect AI@AU to expand AI education across campus, for example by introducing a course on AI that any Auburn student can take and expanding AI research across campus, and we expect to see events such as the AI Exchange and the AI Forum increase their reach statewide and regionally,” said Gerry Dozier, the Charles D. McCrary Eminent Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Innovators on the Plains are doing inspiring work that will help shape the AI world for years to come.

“Auburn faculty and students are doing cutting-edge work in foundational AI, such as making AI systems explain themselves, and in applied AI in domains such as agriculture and health care,” said Hari Narayanan, the John H. and Gail Watson Professor and co-director of AI@AU with Dozier. “This will have an impact on how we live healthy lives in future. It also is exciting to see how faculty and students across the university are collaborating with one another to conduct outstanding research and develop educational experiences with AI.”

The university’s application of AI can make a difference for many in a variety of ways.

“These opportunities, programs and experiences are changing lives,” Dozier said. “We believe the passion with which Auburn University has embraced AI will continue to grow in the future.”

Auburn has made deliberate, calculated and strategic decisions to assume a leadership role in the AI realm in recent years, efforts that have catapulted the university’s AI programs among the nation’s premier institutions.

“Auburn University’s leadership in the evolving AI space stems from a strong commitment to innovation and a dedication to our land-grant mission of sharing knowledge and fostering economic development across our state and nation,” said Ali, who holds degrees in software engineering, information systems management and adult education. “Our efforts in AI reflect a multi-faceted approach — integrating AI into education, supporting AI-driven research and extending its practical applications to local businesses and communities.”

In addition to multi-disciplinary collaborations and networking initiatives taking place across campus, Auburn leaders are fast at work harnessing the potential applications of AI into impactful real-world programs and directives. Those advancements are designed to do everything from prepare Alabama’s future workforce and revolutionize farming, industrial design, construction and machine learning, to informing K-12 teachers about AI’s capabilities in the classroom and streamline community enhancement programs.

Most recently, Auburn hosted the inaugural Alabama Higher Education AI Exchange to foster statewide collaboration in the hopes of enhancing education, extension and outreach via AI. Auburn already has received awards for its leadership, including the Collaborative Initiatives Award, and has been selected as a Microsoft case study for others to model.

When it comes to the future of AI and Auburn, the possibilities are seemingly endless.