The University of Florida’s AI² Center announced the newest cohort of AI Scholars, a selective, year‑long program designed to deepen undergraduate students’ engagement with artificial intelligence through community, exploration, and hands‑on learning.
The 2026 AI Scholars cohort includes:
The AI Scholars program brings together students from across disciplines who share a curiosity about how artificial intelligence is shaping their fields—and the world around them. Through curated programming, events, and experiential opportunities, Scholars gain exposure to AI concepts while building connections with peers, faculty, and campus partners.
For students, the program offers both structure and community as they navigate AI’s growing presence across disciplines. Aniruth Venkedesh, a UF student featured in a recent AI² Center video, describes how the AI Scholars program supported his research and opened doors he hadn’t anticipated.
“One of the key things about the AI Scholars program was that they connected me with a mentor who was willing to support me and was also genuinely interested in what I was interested in,” Venkedesh said. “It gave me a lot of opportunities—to present, to publish, and it opened a lot of doors that I didn’t even know existed before I joined the program.”
Throughout the year, AI Scholars participate in workshops, talks, and community‑building experiences that complement UF’s broader AI ecosystem. The program is closely connected to other AI² Center initiatives focused on student engagement, AI literacy, and applied learning, including AI Adventures and AI Across the Curriculum.
Scholars also serve as ambassadors for student perspectives on AI at UF, helping elevate conversations around responsible use, ethical considerations, and real‑world impact. By centering student voices, the program reinforces UF’s commitment to preparing graduates who can critically engage with AI technologies—not just use them.
The AI Scholars program is one of several ways the AI² Center supports students as they navigate a rapidly evolving AI landscape, ensuring they have access to learning experiences that are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real‑world context.
To learn more about the AI Scholars program, visit here.