CSU receives NSF grant to expand teaching, research capabilities in AI

Courtesy of Chicago State University

Chicago State University (CSU) recently received a two-year $380,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to focus on curriculum development in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The program, Expanding AI Innovation through Capacity Building and Partnerships (ExpandAI), is a developing pilot program that enhances the research capacity of CSU’s AI-focused educational curriculum development and training at Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI).

Dr. Mousa Ayyash, Professor of Computing and Electrical Engineering and Director of the Center for Information and Security Education and Research (CINSER) and Dr. Kimberly Black-Parker, Professor of Information Science and Associate Director of CINSER will serve as PI and Co-PI for this project, respectively.

“This grant opens the door to new and exciting opportunities for both CSU’s faculty and students. This will allow us to integrate cutting-edge AI research, tools and methodologies into our learning curriculum and development,” said Dr. Sonja Feist-Price, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “The support received from NSF is a testament to our work and research here at CSU. We are truly committed and specialized in educating underrepresented students who become leaders in the STEM disciplines.” said Provost Feist-Price.

This grant will facilitate training for CSU faculty from different programs on AI to support teaching and research, and will help CSU’s centers, CINSER and Center for Teaching and Excellence (CTRE) promote AI@PBI activities. The goal of the project is to develop a proposal for a faculty-led, campus-wide strategic roadmap for the integration of AI at CSU.

The ExpandAI program is a multi-year program that aims to significantly develop and increase participation in AI research, education, and workforce preparation through capacity and curriculum development and partnerships within the National AI Research Institutes.

Through AI@PBI, CSU faculty and student body from several disciplines will be provided with the AI skills and tools to integrate AI in their learning, career and professional development and will encourage and empower graduates to shape and contribute positively to the learning curve that AI has brought into society.

The grant will extend for two years, and aims to:

• Develop AI awareness in CSU’s teaching faculty
• Equip faculty with the basic working knowledge of AI and AI tools to integrate into current curriculum
• Collaborate and plan for future partnerships with AI research institutes
• Create, modify and improve AI curriculum development
• Build and establish groundwork for cross-disciplinary AI research projects