UB launches new AI degree programs, boosting talent & research
The University at Buffalo (UB) is making a significant stride to position itself at the vanguard of artificial intelligence education and research, announcing the launch of a new academic department dedicated to AI and Society. This initiative introduces a suite of interdisciplinary degree programs designed to equip students for the projected exponential growth of AI applications across a multitude of industries.
Beginning with the fall semester, students will have the opportunity to enroll in innovative “AI + X” programs, which integrate the rapidly evolving field of AI with established academic disciplines. These new majors and minors, approved by the state Education Department, span a diverse range of subjects, including communication, economics, geography, language, logic, and policy analysis. Specifically, the seven new bachelor’s degrees will combine AI with geospatial analysis, language and intercultural competence, language technology, logic and ontology, policy analysis, quantitative economics, and responsible communication. Two new minors will also be offered: AI, crime and society, and AI ethics. These programs draw upon the expertise of various departments, from geography and romance languages to linguistics, philosophy, political science, economics, and communication, offering a curriculum that explores AI’s computational fundamentals, historical context, societal implications, and its potential benefits and drawbacks.
This ambitious undertaking is supported by a substantial $5 million state investment, earmarked for the recruitment of additional faculty specializing in AI. UB anticipates a robust enrollment, projecting over 300 students annually in these programs by 2030. The university’s commitment extends beyond coursework, playing a pivotal role in the broader Empire AI initiative, a collaborative effort backed by more than $500 million in public and private funding. Recently, the state also approved an additional $40 million in funding for UB to acquire a next-generation supercomputer, further bolstering the Empire AI initiative’s goal of establishing a premier hub for artificial intelligence development. This funding is part of a larger $90 million capital investment aimed at advancing Empire AI’s objectives.
UB has already solidified its reputation as a key player in the AI landscape, having previously established an Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Looking ahead, the university is planning the construction of an AI & Society Building, a state-of-the-art facility that will house computer labs, offices, conference rooms, and incubator space for startups. With over 200 faculty researchers currently engaged in AI technology to address complex societal challenges, UB intends to further expand its full-time faculty for the upcoming academic year, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is actively developing additional majors and future graduate-level AI programs.
Leaders in education and government have lauded UB’s proactive approach. SUNY Chancellor John King remarked on the “extraordinary work that has tremendous potential to improve people’s every day quality of life.” University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi emphasized that these new programs build upon UB’s four-decade legacy as a leader in responsible AI research and innovation, aiming to equip students with the interdisciplinary expertise to “harness the incredible power of artificial intelligence for the betterment of society while preparing them to lead effectively and ethically in our 21st century world.” Governor Kathy Hochul echoed this sentiment, stating that the new degree programs will provide students with “the latest in AI education to help them pursue research and careers that will continue to evolve with further AI advancements.”
By integrating AI with diverse academic disciplines and investing significantly in infrastructure and faculty, the University at Buffalo is not merely launching new programs; it is actively shaping the next generation of leaders equipped to navigate and ethically guide the transformative power of artificial intelligence.