“We are an AI university, and the AI Medallion is meant to represent the culmination of experiences students had while here at UF,” said Marquise McGriff, assistant director of AI Student Engagement and Experiential Learning with the AI² Center.
Open to undergraduate students of all majors, this award signifies the successful pursuit of academic and professional growth through artificial intelligence-focused courses, experiences, and hands-on learning by graduation. “We hope that students will be able to articulate technical and non-technical, enduring skills that they have learned through all of their experiences,” said McGriff.
Hosted on the Gator Launch platform, the medallion’s requirements for completion present UF students with a build-your-own-adventure format through a combination of curricular and co-curricular learning experiences, structured into four categories: AI Learning, AI Experiences, AI Engagement, and AI on Display.
AI Learning factors the completion of any AI Fundamentals certificate course, including the college-specific application courses. AI Experiences encompass opportunities where students actually encounter AI in the real world, such as attending relevant workshops or UF AI Days. AI on Display weighs student demonstration of their understanding with artificial intelligence, including presenting research at poster sessions or speaking at recognized conferences. Lastly, AI Engagement entails joining clubs and student organizations, participating in AI competitions and mock interviews, and assuming AI-related leadership positions.
The first cohort of students received their AI Medallions at a reception held in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium’s F Club, prior to the Spring 2026 Commencement cycle. One of those students was Avery Teman, founding president of the AI² Center Student Club.
University of Florida students receiving their AI Medallions at the Spring AI Student Reception.
“I think the AI Medallion is an incredible accomplishment for any student, and it will definitely help set them apart in their future careers,” said Teman. “I think it encourages students to take part in these AI opportunities on campus and in the community, which will really strengthen their understanding of AI.”
Experiences with artificial intelligence can extend beyond the listed criteria, and McGriff is prepared to work with individual students to find how their involvement could satisfy their eligibility. “If students have participated in learning experiences that do not perfectly satisfy our defined expectations, but they have developed relevant skills and competencies, they can simply schedule a consultation, and we can work with them to find solutions to earn credit towards the medallion. Maybe you were not an AI Scholar, but you did engage in AI undergraduate research. Let's talk about that.”
AI Medallions are awarded each semester. In the Fall, medallions are given during AI Days. In the Spring, recipients receive their medal at an annual reception celebrating AI students.
The biggest prize of all is gaining career-ready competencies and preparing to encounter AI professionally. “They know they're going into the workforce,” said McGriff. “This is going to set them apart; this is going to be their upper hand.”
“The AI² Center and Marquise specifically, they're just so incredibly supportive of any endeavor that students want to take on,” said Teman. “For any student that's looking into getting involved with AI at UF, don't be afraid. Just take that first leap.”
Students can visit https://ai.ufl.edu/learning/ai-medallion/ to learn more and get started on their AI Medallion journey.