The University of Memphis is investing $1 million in enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) research.
The investment is intended to further the university's potential in AI to go along with the efforts to bring Elon Musk's xAI to Memphis.
“The arrival of xAI is a perfect fit with the technology innovation ecosystem of Memphis, which is centered around the university as a top-tier Carnegie R1 research institution,” said U of M president Bill Hardgrave in a news release. “We have much to offer in terms of talent, workforce training, and cutting-edge research.”
The initiative, announced last week, will be led by provost David Russomanno and Jasbir Dhaliwal, EVP of research and innovation.
The university hopes these efforts align with the regional industry efforts, including xAI.
“Artificial intelligence today is not a niche specialty area. It has broad-based application across a myriad of domains requiring a range of knowledge, abilities, and skills,” Russomanno said in the release. “We will offer a wide range of educational experiences across the university, including degree programs and stackable micro-credentials customized by context and topic, reflecting student and workforce needs. Going forward, we will provide opportunities for all our students to understand and apply AI.”
Enrollment in AI-aligned departments at the U of M, like Management Information Systems and Electrical and Computer Engineering, has doubled over the last three years.
The school has been involved in AI in education, health care, transportation and other sectors. The recently established Center for Electrified and Automated Transportation and Agile Freight Supply Chain and the Learner Data Institute have helped advance these sectors and the basic science of AI.
The FedEx Institute of Technology at the U of M has faculty working on AI projects, such as the public initiative 901 AI and the Next Generation Supply Chain and Innovation Challenge.
