What actually exists? How do computers think about reality? Where does the meaning of a word come from, and how do computers learn to understand it? Do computers really “understand” language at all?
If you love thinking about deep philosophical questions, and you want to use AI in practical ways to help society, then let’s talk about ontologies—maps of reality that show what kinds of things exist and how they’re connected to each other. These maps help AI systems reason more effectively and provide more accurate outputs, and UB is the top university in the country for researching AI and applied ontology. So if you want to use logic and ontology to get more out of AI, keep reading about this unique program.
The first year or two, you’ll mostly take classes that teach you about AI technology and how it impacts society. You’ll learn about the statistical properties of data, how machine learning works, how AI can reinforce existing biases, and the ethical issues surrounding AI in various contexts. As you advance, you’ll take more in-depth courses about topics like symbolic reasoning, formal logic, the theory of knowledge (epistemology), and how to apply ontologies (ways to understand and categorize things) using computing-based methods. The program culminates with an internship, as well as a capstone course involving a real-world challenge for you and your team to solve.
At UB, you’ll find plenty of ways to learn, grow and make new friends.
Research. UB is an internationally recognized center for applied ontological research and a leader in AI research, which means you may find opportunities to work with professors on applying ontologies to healthcare, developing more energy-efficient AI algorithms and assisting with other projects.
Student groups. There are so many ways to get involved at UB, including our philosophy clubs, computing competitions and hundreds of student-led clubs where you can have fun and hang out with your friends.
Study abroad. Many students also chose to go abroad for a semester or during a break, which gives you an international perspective on how people think, work and live.
Employers like hiring graduates who can form logical arguments, think critically, and organize huge volumes of data in an increasingly complex world. And with UB’s national reputation for applied ontology and AI, you’ll be more likely to find even more opportunities, such as:
Whether you choose to go to graduate school or not, potential career paths include:
Throughout your time in this multidisciplinary major, you’ll take classes from experts in AI, philosophy, formal logic, applied ontology and other areas.
At UB, our professors have received prestigious awards for their teaching and are known for their commitment to students. Many serve as trusted mentors, and can help you figure out your career goals, whether or not you should go to graduate school, and other key decisions in your life.
When they’re not in the classroom or meeting with students, you might find our faculty publishing their research in top journals, delivering speeches at academic conferences, leading the National Center for Ontological Research, working with some of the top computing companies in the world, or contributing their expertise to the Infectious Disease Ontology and other widely-used global resources.