Texas Christian University announced a $10 million commitment to launch an artificial intelligence initiative Tuesday, as the rapidly expanding tool gains a foothold in higher education.
The effort, called AI², or Accelerating Institutional AI, will help the university enhance learning, expand research opportunities and streamline school operations, TCU said. The initiative includes university funding and contributions from Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, going down as one of the school’s largest commitments in research and technology.
“AI isn’t just changing the rate of learning and the landscape of higher education — it’s making history,” TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin said in a press release.
The university aims to employ AI in many ways: tutoring, writing tools, modeling, computing, scheduling and more, according to its website.
The Education Lab
Pullin said AI² is a “material investment” to progress the university’s new strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values in Action. The newly inaugurated chancellor plans to position TCU as the top research institution in Fort Worth. In November, the university received a $40 million gift to bolster its science and engineering programs.
Related
As part of the strategic plan, the school wants to earn an R1 designation under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a coveted status that recognizes a university’s research spending and number of awarded doctorates. The classification can draw top-tier faculty, and TCU is currently ranked as an R2 school.
Universities across the country are pushing to train students on how to use AI tools, as companies like ChatGBT and chip maker NVIDIA see their valuations grow. Tech titans like Amazon and Microsoft have pledged billions toward AI education and some schools have started a major in AI.
TCU’s new AI initiative establishes high-performance AI computing and cloud resources to assist with research and operational needs, including servers, software and products from Dell and NVIDIA.
“Dell Technologies is committed to empowering higher education institutions with the tools to transform learning and accelerate innovation,” Jennifer Hebert, an executive at Dell Technologies, said in the press release.
Related
TCU’s initiative emphasizes responsibility when it comes to using AI, the press release said. Faculty members will focus on using AI tools in teaching and research, as well as conducting research and ensuring ethical practices.
“TCU has always prepared students with values and academic rigor to lead in a global society. We’re pleased to harness the opportunity and innovation of AI,” Pullin said.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.