The AI Forward Initiative

The Future is Bright

Artificial Intelligence may be a bit of a buzzword these days, but TROY's leaders are looking past the hype and embracing a powerful tool for education. With the vast expansion of AI, Troy University has launched its own “AI Forward Initiative” to embrace this rapidly growing technology as a tool for its students.

Computer Science Graduate Program Concentration

Artificial intelligence pushes the limits of computer science by analyzing, designing and implementing self-learning and automatic machines. In the AI concentration, you'll be part of this groundbreaking field, working on projects that focus on data-driven system development, game design, data gathering and cleaning, knowledge representation, and logic and reasoning.

By pursuing a master of computer science in AI at Troy University, you'll be prepared to excel in a variety of roles at the forefront of technological advancement. With expertise in AI, you can pursue careers as an AI researcher, data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI software developer or AI consultant. Additionally, you'll be equipped to contribute to industries such as health care, finance, gaming, robotics and automation, where the applications of AI are rapidly expanding. Prepare yourself for a world of opportunities and make a significant impact in the exciting field of artificial intelligence.

Specializing in Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI at Troy University

Troy University is committed to promoting a responsible and ethical approach to AI usage that aligns with our values and academic standards. Our IT department offers support through consultations and workshops aimed at empowering faculty and students to engage with AI responsibly. As advancements in this field continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to balancing the transformative potential of AI with our commitment to integrity and excellence in academic and research pursuits.

Learn more

“One thing we know is we need to get out in front and lead with an AI Initiative that helps our faculty and students embrace this technology.”

Dr. Kerry Palmer | Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and leader of the AI Forward Initiative

Balancing Safety and Innovation

TROY is working hard to ensure it's staying on top of the downsides to AI as well as embracing the positive. The biggest issue is safety, Price said. Systems have been put in place to ensure sensitive data is not compromised. In fact, AI offers ways to enhance security protocols.

Nokes said a key problem he has found with AI that can affect students is hallucination of the tools. “If I were to ask Chat GPT to give me a list of publications I wrote, the titles are all real, the genre might be real, but none of them are written by me,” he said. “The facts look real, but they are kind of like you took a box of Legos and put them up randomly.”

From another perspective, Price said the hype of AI has caused some confusion among faculty and staff. Because of AI's popularity, many software vendors are using the term as a marketing buzzword and advertising their AI offerings. In many cases, however, software programs have already been using AI as part of their products.

Watch the full Trojans Talk Research segment to learn more.

Trojans Talk Research

From Concerns to Classroom Tools: The Evolution of AI in Education

While it's unknown exactly how AI will evolve, one thing is for certain: it is here to stay. “It's essential to approach these new tools with a balanced perspective. Similar to the early concerns about internet search engines, generative AI raises questions but also offers significant educational opportunities,” Price said. “These tools have already begun to make an economic impact through smart devices and productivity apps, enhancing our daily lives and workflows. I vividly recall requests to block search engines because those tools were going to ‘kill academia.'

“Obviously, we did not block search engines. In fact, I imagine most that sought those blocks could not imagine working without the use of productivity tools, such as search engines, grammar, spell checkers and more.”

There are many ideas for how AI can be a useful tool to TROY students' education, and it's impossible to predict them all with such an evolving tool. “It remains to be seen. It's a bit of a frontier at this point,” Dr. Palmer said.

Listen to the full podcast to learn more.

The Podcast

News

Sorrell College professor Rodger Morrison

TROY business professor makes legal history in field of artificial intelligence

In a new development in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Rodger Morrison has secured the world's first copyright for a tokenization of his distinctive creating writing style. Granted in March by the U.S. Copyright Office, the action is a significant achievement in intellectual property rights within the realm of AI-assisted writing and style replication. Morrison is a professor in Troy University's Sorrell College of Business and his research includes work in Artificial Intelligence, biometrics, trust in computer-mediated environments, technology-related change, and more.

Dr. Richard Scott Nokes

Dr. Richard Scott Nokes is a Professor of English at Troy University, as the Director of Troy University's AI Forward Initiative, he has addressed both the benefits and limitations of AI technologies.

drrichardscottnokestroyuniversity@troy.edu

Dr. Shari Hoppin

Dr. Shari Hoppin teaches in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication. She is a strong advocate for digital literacy and is the author of The Dark Side of Persuasion. She taught at the University of Southern California and at Florida State University before joining the faculty at Troy University.

shoppin@troy.edu

Cookie Acknowledgment

This website uses cookies to collect information and to improve your browsing experience. Please review our privacy statement for more information.