By Kelsey Kendall

As Old Dominion University approaches its centennial anniversary in 2030, the institution will build its reputation as a national leader in key research areas by recruiting and hiring 25 faculty members with expertise in artificial intelligence.

“Old Dominion University continues to make great strides in research as an R1 institution,” said Brian Payne, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “By intentionally and strategically hiring faculty with AI expertise, we will see the University’s growth as a national leader in the field.”

These individuals will be tenured or on the tenure track in any department on campus. They will be hired in clusters to align with current institutional strengths in the following areas: Accelerator Science, Engineering, and Machine Learning; AI-Infused Connected/Autonomous Systems for Medicine and Health; Data Driven Artificial Intelligence in Special Education; Medical Modeling Simulation: Precision Medicine and Patient Safety; Shipbuilding and Ship Repair: On-Demand Manufacturing, Supply Chain/Manufacturing 4.0 and Shipyard Digitization Team; and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence.

The individuals could be in any department on campus. The following programs will be the main emphasis: computer science, computer engineering, criminal justice, cybersecurity, data science, engineering, engineering technology, library and information studies, philosophy, physics, special education, and supply chain, logistics and maritime operations.

“This initiative will expand ODU’s research footprint nationally and internationally,” said Kenneth Fridley, vice president for research and economic development. “Our institution is contributing to the broader understanding of AI, its application and development. We are eager to see how these faculty members will encourage innovation and exploration of the growing AI field.”

This is the first stage of the Centennial Cluster Initiative, which aligns with the University’s strategic plan, “Forward-Focused: Where Innovation Meets Possibilities,” to increase the number of talented and diverse research leaders. These faculty members will support the expansion of transdisciplinary research efforts.