A combined $10 million from TCU and corporate contributions will fund a new artificial intelligence initiative aimed at spurring responsible use of the popular technology for research and learning, university officials announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The money will go toward AI\u00b2 \u2014 Accelerating Institutional AI \u2014 to enhance research that uses secure, high-powered computers; support students; and allow Texas Christian University to leverage AI across campus, officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re 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,\u201d Chancellor Daniel Pullin said in a news release. \u201cLaunching AI\u00b2 is yet another material investment in our strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values in Action<\/a> and, most importantly, our students, faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n Physical computing infrastructure and cloud capabilities will come from Dell Technologies, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, according to the release.<\/p>\n The effort will contribute to TCU\u2019s drive toward R1 status<\/a> from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education<\/a>, recognition for the highest level of research activity, according to the release.<\/p>\n \u201cAI\u00b2 gives our faculty and students a world-class tool to foster interdisciplinary research partnerships and generate high-impact outcomes,\u201d Reuben F. Burch V, vice provost for research, said in the release.\u00a0<\/p>\n In recent years, professors<\/a> have implemented AI in class projects and used it to help expand teaching. Professor Leslie Browning-Samoni asked fashion merchandising students<\/a> to use AI in class and solicited feedback that informed her doctoral dissertation.<\/p>\n As the initiative is implemented, the university will, in consultation with faculty, develop AI in teaching and research as well as research the technology itself and make sure it is used ethically.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTCU\u2019s investment is more than hardware and software \u2014 it\u2019s another proof point that we are serious about innovation and impact,\u201d Bryan Lucas, chief technology officer, said in the release. \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.<\/p>\n