Building an AI University
The University of Florida Artificial Intelligence Initiative touches every corner of the university, aiming to reach every corner of the world.
Embracing AI on Every Level
When the University of Florida partnered with NVIDIA to serve as home to one of the world’s fastest supercomputers in higher education, it stepped onto the forefront of AI in higher education. Rather than reserve this powerful resource for researchers and faculty in designated colleges or STEM disciplines, UF has used this technology to transform the university as a whole.
Preparing Everyone for the Promise of AI
The World Economic Forum has predicted that 97 million new jobs will require some level of AI talent this year.
All academic disciplines and industries engage with massive amounts of data, and data is at the heart of nearly every facet of modern life. UF has embarked on a university-wide effort to benefit the state and nation, and prepare the 21st century workforce, through producing graduates—and conducting research—that uses AI to transform data into action.
AI Across the Curriculum
Since 2020, UF has embarked on a university-wide effort to produce an AI-enabled workforce for Florida and beyond.
Creating AI-Enabled WorkersAI Ethics
The ethical issues surrounding AI—privacy, transparency, bias, academic integrity—are serious. UF requires ethics courses in its certificate and micro-credential programs.
More About AI EthicsAI Initiatives
In 2023, UF distributed nearly $19 million to fund AI efforts in 10 colleges. We are investing those funds in a transformational approach to integrating AI with all curriculum and interdisciplinary research.
Our Strategic Investment in AIA Brief Timeline
Since 2020, UF has made fast leaps to becoming an AI university.
Pre-2020
Initial Vision
- When asked by Chris Malachowsky, a UF alum and co-founder of NVIDIA, what UF would do with a supercomputer, Provost Joe Glover responded, “We would build an AI university and integrate AI across the curriculum.”
- UF’s accountability plans for 2020 and 2021 highlight the intention to deepen engagement in AI.
- University faculty and departments who were already using AI begin to work together on AI across the curriculum.
2020
Building the Foundation
- Major Investments: NVIDIA Co-Founder Chris Malachowsky commits $50 million to UF. UF pledged $20 million to hire new AI faculty.
- UF begins building HiPerGator, a state-of-the-art supercomputer, to power its AI programs.
2021
AI Faculty Hiring Initiative
UF launches a two-year AI hiring initiative, bringing on 106 new AI faculty members across colleges.
2022
UF Launches AI Across the Curriculum
UF launches of the Artificial Intelligence Academic Initiative (AI2) Center, a central location for all AI academic efforts at UF. AI Days and AI Scholars initiatives launch under AI2.
2023
In 2023, Florida made a strategic investment in artificial intelligence. UF designated $18.8 million of that investment to fund 15 projects across 10 colleges.
2024
Accreditation
- Certification program launches: All students can learn about AI, regardless of their major. The program includes the fundamentals of AI and AI ethics. A third applied AI course focuses on their field of study.
- AI career expert hired to work between AI2 and the Career Connections Center.
- AI class designation and tagging continues.
2025
Growth and Updated Technology Continues
Planned investment of $24 million to upgrade HiPerGator supercomputer.
12k
Students annually
UF enrollment in AI courses
268+
AI-related internships
Via the Career Connection Center
300+
AI-focused faculty
Throughout the university
Hear student experiences as they become AI-ready to enter a future-forward workforce.
“Clean data is the oxygen of AI.” —Elias Eldayrie, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
With over 300 AI-focused faculty, UF has the expertise to speak to AI challenges and changes in most industries.
AI Days is UF’s annual event that brings together students, faculty, and researchers in an exchange of AI insights and panel discussions on latest AI research and teaching advancements.
What happens here? Everything about the evolving work of teaching and learning AI across the university and education.
Contact AI at UF
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 113175
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
Physical Address
105 Ayers Building at Innovation Square
720 SW Second Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601
Call us: (352) 294-1895