In 1984, like-minded researchers at the University of Georgia formed the Artificial Intelligence Research Group. The program has since grown by leaps and bounds. It was officially established as the Artificial Intelligence Center in 1995 and became part of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in 2006. The AI Center became the Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IAI) in 2008. As a result of several months of study by a faculty working group, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences approved a new dual reporting structure for IAI, effective July 1, 2024. This change reflects robust ambitions for new academic programs and cross-university research collaboration to advance AI broadly across the university and engage all stakeholders. The new structure reflects investment in and support for IAI designed to promote innovation and applications of AI in teaching, research, and outreach and to increase the institute’s and UGA’s leadership and recognition in this important area. The Institute for AI’s activities are guided by its core values of Commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service IAI leadership, faculty and staff hold the utmost dedication toward teaching students, research for the benefit of humanity, and service with integrity for the betterment of the Institute and its community. LeadershipIAI leadership, faculty and staff must take initiative, promote AI innovation on campus, and execute with empathy. CollaborationIAI leadership, faculty and staff emphasize common goals and the importance of working together to achieve them, and promote openness. In keeping with these values, IAI’s mission is to Serve and ImpactTo advance the science of AI, serve as a resource of extensive AI expertise for all, and collaborate to facilitate profound societal impact through AI use cases The Institute executes this mission through research, instruction, and outreach. It administers the Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science, the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence. It aligns, engages, and empowers a large body of faculty fellows, which come from thirteen Schools and Colleges across UGA, including Agricultural Sciences, Business, Computer Science, Philosophy, Pharmacy, Psychology, Linguistics, and Engineering, among others. Over the years, the IAI has received funding for research from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development Ltd., the Georgia Research Alliance, Centro Internacional por Agricultura Tropical, Clemson University, Medical College of Georgia, and the American Association for Artificial Intelligence. Currently IAI faculty and students are working with a variety of academic and industrial institutions on exciting research projects. I invite you to explore the Institute (virtually) through its web pages and consider becoming a part of this exciting multidisciplinary community of students and scholars. Prashant Doshi Executive Director, Institute for AI
