On April 9, 2024, the University of Maryland announced the launch of a new institute dedicated to developing the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) education, technology and leaders.

The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) is a collaborative hub for AI, supporting faculty research, offering innovative and experiential learning opportunities, and focusing on responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good across industry, government and society.

The University of Maryland and the state of Maryland have long maintained a steadfast commitment to responsible advancement of AI technology. The new institute builds upon the university’s existing AI expertise, research and centers, which are an instrumental part of AIM, as are the 100-plus faculty members across campus who teach and study AI.

Through AIM, UMD students across all majors learn the principles of AI and how they apply to their fields of study, preparing them for a technology-rich workforce. The institute coordinates:

• New AI majors and minors
• AI certificates, graduate degrees and workforce development programs
• Expanded AI undergraduate courses, including a path to AI course focused on developing AI literacy and critical thinking skills
• AI government and industry partnerships and community events
• A new high-performance computing cluster tailored for AI’s complex computational challenges
• Financial support to promote interdisciplinary AI research
• Chaired professorships and postdoctoral fellowships

The vision for AIM came about through the efforts of a multidisciplinary work group, and was refined through a collaborative process with the deans of all 12 colleges and schools. It aligns with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s recent executive order to catalyze responsible and productive use of artificial intelligence by state agencies, and President Joe Biden’s executive order on safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence. It also supports the work of UMD President Darryll Pines’ AI commission, which examines how AI can be harnessed operationally in teaching, learning, student recruitment, enrollment and more.

The institute is funded through the university, research grants, philanthropic gifts and industry partnerships.