Montana State University will hold a daylong symposium on artificial intelligence on March 26, focusing on the use of AI in higher education and its impact on research, teaching, and learning. The event, organized by the university’s new Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence, is free and open to the public and will take place in Ballroom A of the Strand Union Building.
The symposium aims to deepen understanding of AI’s opportunities and challenges across various fields. Presentations from faculty members and other experts will cover topics such as digital agriculture, quantum technologies, human communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration for new courses about AI. Attendees can access a full agenda online.
“What distinguishes MSU is our truly interdisciplinary approach to AI,” said William Thomas, dean of MSU’s College of Letters and Science and one of the leaders of the new institute. “We are bringing together expertise from many different fields across the university, from computer science and engineering to ethics, philosophy, history, library and information science, writing, science, business, education, and the arts and professions.”
Doralyn Rossmann, dean of the MSU Library and another leader of the institute, said: “The MSU Interdisciplinary Institute on AI expands MSU’s educational and research capacity to address AI literacy across scientific, humanistic, agricultural, business, technical and professional fields. Artificial Intelligence does more than create new opportunities for the ways we do our work; it enables entirely new modes of discovery and knowledge creation that were previously out of reach.”
MSU Provost Bob Mokwa said: “Montana is one of the least densely populated states in the U.S. but also one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the U.S. MSU is uniquely positioned to critically examine AI and to engage in meaningful, long-term partnerships with rural, agricultural, mining, and Native communities…to explore the impact of AI across the full breadth of learning, life and culture in the U.S.”
Montana State University leads in research funding within Montana with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million according to its official website. The university enrolls about 17,165 students with an even split between residents and nonresidents according to its official website. It ranks among the top five percent of global universities per rankings by the Center for World University Rankings according to its official website.
As Montana’s land-grant institution based in Bozeman with a focus on research excellence amid vast wilderness areas according to its official website, Montana State University contributes through volunteer efforts as well as outreach aimed at improving lives statewide according to its official website.
Looking ahead beyond this month’s event focused on higher education applications for artificial intelligence technology at MSU’s campus venue—Strand Union Building—the Interdisciplinary Institute plans a national symposium Oct. 1-2 at Gianforte Hall featuring leading speakers from around the country.