BARRY UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES AI CENTER

By Andrea Briones

The future of technology is meeting innovation at Barry University.

After nearly five months of development, Barry University launched its first Artificial Intelligence Center on May 13.

Photo Credit to Nicole Dashtaki

The center is located on the second floor of the Monsignor William Barry Memorial Library in room 206.

Students will learn how to use artificial intelligence in their careers to solve real life problems and build tools. It will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“It's meaningful because it truly can transform lives and that's really what we're all about at Barry University. We are about transforming lives, helping people, helping individuals reach their potential and AI can do that effectively and responsibly,” said Bogdan Daraban, the vice provost of innovation and technology education.

Photo Credit to Pexels

Two years ago, the university introduced the DX Lab, which is now a part of the AI Center. The lab allows students to connect with local businesses to provide AI-powered solutions for the company.

One current project is with the Water Restoration Group, an organization that is dedicated to restoring water damage. Students are helping the company find a solution to improve its process for providing client estimates.

“I love just being able to learn new things cause with AI its emerging.” said Jaylan Roscoe, an alumnus that graduated with his MBA and now works at the center. “In the real world, we go to school with a good education, which is great, but, the knowledge and rural experiences, that is also key, so that’s one of the things I love about working at the AI Center.”

Santander Bank awarded a generous grant to the university to help launch the AI Center and support the students working there.

The space features a meeting table with eight black rolling chairs and a flat panel display for collaborative group work and a round, white table with four tablets.

It also includes three mounted screens paired with three standing tablets where students can generate artwork by typing prompts into the tablets.

Starting this fall, the university is offering a 9-credit undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence that consists of courses like Fundamentals of AI and Experimentation, Harnessing AI for Good and an AI-designated course tailored to the student’s major or discipline.

They also offer graduate-level certificates like an MBA Specialization in AI Strategy, a certificate in AI Strategy and a MS in Human Resource Development Course: People Analytics and AI for Workforce Intelligence.

Photo Credit to Maison Bracey

The center will host various workshops and seminars this semester such as:

•AI in the Classroom: Insights from the Frontlines - Oct. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

•Boost Your AI IQ: Tips to Embrace & Explore AI - Oct. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m.

•Working Smarter: AI for Everyday Efficiency - Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

•AI for Service Excellence - Dec. 2 from 2 to 3 p.m.

“It’s a startup movement [and] it’s going to bring minds that are curious and want to grow in the industry, not just from academic perspective, but grow with expertise and experience that they execute,” said the Senior Director of Innovation and Technology Education Tarik Safouan.