North Columbus News

The Ohio State University has announced the launch of its AI(X) Hub, a university-wide initiative aimed at advancing artificial intelligence research and education across 15 colleges. The hub, referred to as "AI to the power of X," will integrate expertise from six strategic areas: foundations, health, engineering and sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI.

The announcement follows President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.’s recent State of the University address where he outlined his Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan. Leadership in artificial intelligence is highlighted as a central component of this plan.

“With the launch of the AI(X) Hub, Ohio State is not just embracing the future – we are creating it. The hub will be a catalyst for groundbreaking research and transformative innovation in artificial intelligence,” Carter said. “Together, we are empowering our faculty, researchers and students to harness AI for the public good and develop solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.”

The AI(X) Hub aims to provide advanced tools and infrastructure for researchers to drive innovation and accelerate discovery. Its objectives include building a collaborative research environment where experts from various fields can work together on complex problems; offering scalable shared resources such as data repositories and high-performance computing clusters; fostering collaboration between academia, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders; and developing AI-powered products with potential benefits in areas like medical diagnostics and sustainable agriculture.

Ravi V. Bellamkonda, executive vice president and provost at Ohio State, commented on the significance of this new development: “The launch of AI(X) Hub is a natural evolution of the university’s commitment to artificial intelligence. This new hub will serve as a dynamic catalyst – connecting faculty, staff and students, accelerating innovation, and ensuring Ohio State remains a leader in shaping the future of ethical and impactful AI.”

Ness Shroff—Ohio Eminent Scholar known internationally for his work in AI—will lead the hub. According to Shroff: “The AI(X) Hub is designed to be a dynamic engine for research and innovation, connecting Ohio State’s world-class research community with partners around the world to power discovery, drive interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensure we are shaping the future of AI through bold ideas, shared expertise and meaningful impact.”

This initiative builds upon previous efforts by Ohio State to strengthen its role in artificial intelligence research. For example, through programs like "AI Fluency," undergraduate students are being introduced to foundational concepts in artificial intelligence regardless of their major field.