University of Maryland Introduces AI Interdisciplinary Institute
In the latest move that sees institutions of higher learning integrating AI, The University of Maryland has established its new Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute. This initiative aims to integrate AI into various academic disciplines, preparing students to become not only adept problem solvers but also responsible citizens in a rapidly evolving digital world.
UMD President Darryll Pines, who comes from an aerospace engineering background and has firsthand experience with AI technology, is leading this ambitious project. “My background is in aerospace engineering. And I have already used the technology. So I knew its potential,” Pines shared in a recent interview with 7News‘ Lindsey Mastis.
The conversation around AI increasingly focuses on ethics, equity, and responsibility. At UMD, these aren’t just buzzwords; they are foundational principles etched into the very core of the new institute. The university is committed to fostering an environment where innovation is balanced with caution, especially given AI’s potential to cause unintended harm.
“Already, we’ve seen errors in the use of image processing software for different demographic groups. For example, often it misreads people of color because it hasn’t been trained on that many different types of people of color,” explained President Pines, highlighting the importance of diverse data sets in AI development.
The institute isn’t just focusing on traditional science and technology fields. Tom Goldstein, Director of UMD’s Center for Machine Learning, pointed out the broader scope of AI’s impact. “Maybe you have a background that’s stronger in, say, English literature, or in history, or you’re interested in art. And there are all sorts of ways that AI interacts with those disciplines,” Goldstein said.
Is seems that this interdisciplinary approach is looking to ensure benefits AI related technology and advancements are widespread, touching aspects of society far beyond just the technical realms one would expect it to stay.
But that isn’t all. UMD will also require every student to take at least one AI-focused course during their study, regardless of their major. President Pines expressed his aspirations for the program: “We hope that we will give them the tools, the skills, to really solve problems, but also be very responsible citizens. Because our goal is to use AI for the public good.”
Colleges and Universities across the nation are looking for ways to utilize AI to assist and train their students for the future. From degree programs, to other other methods, there’s a new rush to seize AI’s potential for university studies.
Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com
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