The University of Memphis is investing $1 million in academic and research programming relating to artificial intelligence to better prepare tomorrow’s AI workforce for job opportunities in the emerging tech field, a recent announcement said.¶
According to a news release, the million-dollar investment aligns with recent community efforts to bring Elon Musk’s AI company xAI to Memphis, where the company plans to build the world’s largest supercomputer. The initiative will be led by Provost David Russomanno and Jasbir Dhaliwal, executive vice president of research and innovation. ¶
“The arrival of xAI is a perfect fit with the technology innovation ecosystem of Memphis, which is centered around the University as a top-tier Carnegie R1 research institution,” University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave said in a statement. “We have much to offer in terms of talent, workforce training and cutting-edge research.”¶
According to university officials, the investment builds on the university’s research and development efforts geared toward AI’s applications in education, healthcare, transportation and several other industry sectors. The announcement said recent efforts include Center for Electrified and Autonomous Transportation and Agile Freight Supply Chain (an NSF Industry-University Research Partnership) and the Learner Data Institute, which work to advance “both the basic science of AI and applications for key sectors,” among other initiatives relating to AI. The announcement added that the new investment aims to “ensure that specialized research aligns with regional industry priority, including the new xAI effort.”¶
“Artificial intelligence today is not a niche specialty area. It has broad-based application across a myriad of domains requiring a range of knowledge, abilities and skills,” Russomanno said in a statement. “We will offer a wide range of educational experiences across the University, including degree programs and stackable micro-credentials customized by context and topic, reflecting student and workforce needs. Going forward, we will provide opportunities for all our students to understand and apply AI.”¶
