AUSTIN, Texas — After designating 2024 as the “Year of AI,” the University of Texas at Austin is celebrating a record year in artificial intelligence research, education, and service efforts.
Things to note are:
Nearly $500 million in new research from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a series of artificial intelligence-related projects and initiatives, and a new computing facility at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) with the world’s fastest computers. An investment has been made. Academic supercomputer. A campus-wide faculty recruitment effort to attract dozens of new faculty with AI expertise across six different research topics. A new approach to educational technology that expands the use of AI to improve student learning and experiences. An event that connects campus with hundreds of partners in industry, government, and the community.
“For more than 50 years, UT Austin has been a world leader in artificial intelligence research,” said Dan Jaffe, UT’s vice provost for research. “With current and planned campus-wide activities in related fields of AI, machine learning, and robotics, UT will continue to be a leader in research for years to come. UT’s AI research will improve health outcomes.” , ensure the ethical use of new technologies, support student success, and help scholars explore some of humanity’s biggest questions.”
A year of AI and research
In July, the university announced the launch of TACC’s new Leadership Class Computing facility. NSF will provide $457 million in new funding to support the production of this innovative machine. The university is also one of the only universities in the United States to have two major multi-institutional research collaborations, the NSF AI Institute, and the first NSF Expeditions in Computing project, another multi-institutional effort in AI. Announced. New in 2024: NSF – Simons Institute for Cosmic Origins (“CosmicAI”), which uses AI to explore dark matter and the origins of the universe, and the next generation of machines that can be applied to improve operating systems. Learning Development Operating System, a learning research initiative. A system that utilizes AI. These collaborations will bring an additional $32 million in research funding to UT over five years, on top of the more than $20 million already supported for UT’s Machine Learning Fundamentals Laboratory.
In addition to the NSF investment, the university has invested in AI research through the creation of a new Center for Generative AI, which will house what is believed to be the largest AI computing cluster at an academic institution. The campus is also hiring faculty to leverage AI expertise and advance research capabilities more broadly related to scientific discovery, materials research, environmental research, space exploration, cancer research, life sciences, and medical sciences. We have also started activities. Meanwhile, UT researchers widely published new discoveries at the intersection of AI and health, society, economic development, media, and more.
The year of AI and education
Educationally, the campus will welcome its first class of several hundred Master of Science in AI students, create an undergraduate robotics honors program, and welcome its first new students in fall 2025. UT has also expanded the courses available to students in various fields. There are many courses in the major, including a three-hour “Fundamentals of AI” course that is open to all UT students and a signature course for freshmen on AI ethics. AI Catalyst Grants are awarded to STEM faculty to help integrate AI technology and teaching into classrooms and labs, allowing universities to help all faculty, staff, and students hone their AI knowledge and accelerate skill-building. We have acquired and created tools available to help you. . One example is SAGE, an AI-powered tutor that supports and deepens students’ learning experiences. Microsoft Copilot is also now available to all members of the UT community. A partnership with Microsoft and Dell Technologies enabled UT to simultaneously launch a campus-wide challenge for students, faculty and staff to innovate with AI and share their learnings with colleagues and other students. Finally, the university developed training and new campus-wide policies for the responsible use of AI in education and the workplace.
A year of AI and external engagement
In the public sector, UT experts provided AI-related consulting and professional development to the U.S. Department of Defense. He spoke before the Texas Legislature’s AI and Emerging Technologies Committee and the Innovation and Technology Caucus. He then visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., where President Jay Herzl and a delegation spoke about opportunities for academic and government collaboration in open AI. UT conducted a collaborative research project with the City of Austin aimed at improving the local quality of life. Researchers at Good Systems — UT’s interdisciplinary research grand challenge of designing AI technologies for the benefit of society — partner with city governments to detect smoke and wildfires, improve emergency response times, and improve transportation. We are developing AI tools to improve safety and accessibility, improve transparency and stakeholder engagement, and provide decision makers with accurate data and predictive digital twin models. Masu. Good Systems-led efforts have also helped inform federal policy efforts around AI transparency and trust, and helped advance AI ethics and safety in the international arena.
The university hosted AI-themed public events throughout the year as part of its annual campaign to build bridges to industry, community organizations, and across campus. More than 100 events and workshops were held in November, including a three-day all-hands conference called AI Live that attracted thousands of attendees. The university will also offer panels, demonstrations and other programs on AI and robotics at South by Southwest, and in collaboration with the LBJ School of Public Affairs, will host a policy symposium focused on AI and leadership. , a one-day event with Alondra Nelson, one of the authors of South by Southwest. White House AI Bill of Rights Blueprint. Finally, AI for the Rest of Us, an educational podcast about artificial intelligence in everyday experiences, reaches thousands of listeners and features interviews with experts across campus and external guests such as technology journalist Kara Swisher. I did.
“The Year of AI enabled the university to expand public service by increasing collaboration,” said Melissa Taylor, senior associate dean for strategic initiatives and partnerships in the College of Natural Sciences, who managed the Year of AI at UT. said. “UT Austin continues to lead in technology development to help the next generation of leaders responsibly navigate the evolving workplace and policy landscape.”
