UB proposes new AI department

UB is proposing a new academic department focused on artificial intelligence and its impact on society.

The proposed AI and society department would be shared between the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences, said Graham Hammill, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School.

“The vision of the department is that it would have undergraduate programs, a master’s program and a PhD program,” Hammill said. “The curriculum would combine technical competencies related to AI, generative AI in particular, with areas that are under the broader rubric of society. So, areas like information integrity, social analysis, history of technology — those broader competencies.

“At the undergraduate level, the driving vision is pretty innovative,” Hammill said. “The idea is that the department would partner with existing departments to develop bachelor’s degree programs that integrate these technology and social competencies with already existing disciplinary areas of expertise. So, you can have AI in music or AI in public health or AI in anthropology — any field where AI is a burgeoning area of expertise.”

Hammill discussed the proposal at the UB Council meeting on Dec. 2. Derek Strykowski, associate teaching professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Music, also spoke to the council about how he is incorporating artificial intelligence into his classroom teaching.

The proposal for the AI and society department comes at the request of SUNY, which recently asked its PhD-granting institutions to submit proposals for an institute, center or department in AI and society as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s broader vision to make New York State a leader in artificial intelligence, Hammill said. Proposals selected by SUNY could be awarded up to $2 million a year for three years, he said.

As UB awaits a decision from SUNY, university administration will work with the Faculty Senate, which plays a critical role in reviewing and approving new departments, Hammill said.

President Satish K. Tripathi also updated the council on the progress of Empire AI, the governor’s $400 million consortium that will make its home at UB.

The consortium’s initial computing power has been installed at UB’s Center for Computational Research (CCR) on the Downtown Campus, allowing members to begin harnessing artificial intelligence for educational research 18 months ahead of schedule.

The governor is optimistic a permanent site for the supercomputing center will be built on the North Campus within 18 to 24 months. The proposed site is 1.8 acres off Service Center Road near the power substation.

SUNY Empire Innovation Professor Jinjun Xiong, director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, told the council that consortium members have been submitting research proposals, including 81 from UB.

“Our faculty are eager to use this infrastructure,” Xiong said.

In other business, the council endorsed the naming of three new philanthropic funds from UB alumni totaling $4 million:

• The Mark J. and Elizabeth A. Czarnecki Professorship and the Czarnecki Resource Fund in Literacy, a $2 million commitment from Elizabeth Czarnecki in support of literacy initiatives in the Graduate School of Education.
• The John and Katherine Doyle Experiential Learning Fund, a $1 million commitment from the Doyles to provide opportunities for students to build and refine their skills in real-world environments.
• And the University at Buffalo Dental Alumni Association Fund, a $1 million commitment by the alumni association to help support the mission and goals of the School of Dental Medicine.