The University of Alabama is launching the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, which will be housed in the College of Engineering.
The center is supported in part through a $2 million gift in honor of Dr. Marvin A. Griffin, former chair of the Department of Computer Science. It will unify new and existing work across the UA campus.
“The launch of the ALA-AI Center marks a transformative moment in AI research and education here at The University of Alabama and for our state, showcasing UA’s unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, world-class education and in being at the forefront of the research and development of cutting-edge technologies,” said Dr. Clifford Henderson, dean of the College of Engineering.
The center will focus on five themes: advancing AI and its machine-learning methodologies; promoting AI applications that benefit society; ensuring the ethical use of AI; cultivating a workforce that is proficient in AI; and fostering a vibrant AI research and education community.
Dr. Jiaqi Gong, associate professor of computer science, is the inaugural director of the center.
“The establishment of ALA-AI signifies a monumental leap forward in the realm of AI research and education at UA,” Gong said. “Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative initiatives, we aim to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in AI, shaping a brighter future for Alabama and beyond through its responsible development and application.”
