Florida A&M University (FAMU) is expanding its role in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science through a campus-wide initiative aimed at preparing students and faculty for advancements in these fields. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences’ Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Cluster supports FAMU’s objective to achieve Carnegie R1 research status.
Richard A. Aló, Ph.D., who serves as FAMU’s Esteemed Scholar in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the cluster. “My charge is to infuse these advanced technologies across the curriculum — not just in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but also in the humanities, social sciences and criminal justice,” Aló said. “Artificial intelligence is having a major impact on society, and we have a responsibility to bring all of our students and faculty into that conversation.”
The university recently hosted an AI & Data Science Workshop where topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital forensics, healthcare applications, and scientific research were discussed.
My’Angel Jones, a psychology major who attended the workshop, commented on how AI could support disciplines focused on human behavior. “It’s really about FAMU being on the forefront of AI and getting students to keep up with the times,” Jones said. “With psychology, a lot of what we do involves emotion and mental regulation. AI can’t replace that, but it can help with research.” She noted that AI tools assist with organizing data so students can focus more on analysis.
Erdell Maurice teaches mathematics at FAMU and integrates AI into his classroom practices to personalize learning experiences for students. “AI has the ability to personalize your education,” Maurice said. “Students come in with different gaps and different strengths. I ask them to use AI to identify where those gaps are and then help fill them. Traditionally, mathematics has been an area of weakness for many students, but with these tools, it can become an area of strength.” Maurice added that this approach aligns with the broader mission of supporting academic growth.
Ethics was another topic addressed during the workshop. Kyla Rogers—a third-year animal science student—focused her attention on sustainability issues related to AI development: “I wanted to learn more about the ethics of AI,” Rogers said. “It uses a lot of water and land resources, so I’m interested in how we can make AI better environmentally and use it responsibly in classrooms.” She also stressed using AI as a tool for understanding rather than shortcuts: “It’s helpful when you use it to understand the step-by-step process of why things work the way they do instead of relying on it for answers.”
Jerry Miller serves as interim chair for FAMU’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences; he explained that artificial intelligence is now part of both teaching strategies at FAMU as well as research projects addressing challenges like healthcare innovation or environmental studies: “AI has permeated nearly everything we’re doing,” Miller said. “We’re using it in the classroom and in research to help faculty and students understand how these tools can strengthen learning and advance scholarship across disciplines.”
The university’s progress includes receiving $5.35 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration which expanded broadband capacity for campus research infrastructure while also improving connectivity within nearby underserved communities.
Additionally—through collaboration with University of California San Diego—FAMU researchers have gained access to high-performance computing resources via the National Research Platform; this partnership enables advanced work such as climate modeling or drug development by providing cloud computing power along with thousands of graphical processing units.
“We’ve been building this quietly,” Aló said. “Now we’re inviting faculty and students to step into what I call the seventh wave — the wave reshaping industry, research and society through artificial intelligence.”
