Taking the Lead in AI

Simply put, artificial intelligence and data science are transforming the world.

Both fields are at the forefront of innovation in robotics, health care, autonomous vehicles and countless other areas that are key to the future of humanity.

They offer hope for solving complex problems like detecting fraud buried deep in financial systems, reducing human bias in the judicial system, and efficiently finding the right compound for the safest and most effective medicines.

The University at Buffalo is staking its claim on this future with the formation of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (IAD).

IAD consolidates two existing UB research organizations: the Artificial Intelligence Institute and the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences.

Kemper Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, says IAD will promote collaboration and showcase UB’s groundbreaking, multidisciplinary research in connection with these two fields.

This includes work in machine learning, big data, health and medicine, advanced materials, autonomous vehicles, robotics, mobile computing, intelligent spaces/architecture, arts and humanities, media forensics, high-performance computing and much more.

“The fields of artificial intelligence and data science are growing rapidly, touching nearly all sectors of the economy and society,” Lewis says. “[IAD] will ensure that UB remains a leader nationwide in the use of these innovative computational technologies to address pressing challenges that society faces.”

In addition to conducting pioneering research, IAD will help to foster tomorrow’s leaders, working with educators throughout the university to understand the artificial intelligence and data science needs of students. It will offer new courses and certificate programs, as well as new master’s degree programs.

“IAD will serve as the primary resource for the development of multifaceted educational programs in artificial intelligence and data sciences,” says David Doermann, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and the institute’s founding director. “The curriculum that IAD develops will ensure our students continue to graduate with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to form startups, join government agencies and the private sector, and serve as the next generation of academic thought leaders.”