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The College of Arts and Sciences houses some of the nations leading experts in generative AI research and has become a leader in intersectional education and training in responsible AI scholarship. Faculty across the sciences, humanities, and arts are working at the forefront of AI, not only advancing its technological capabilities but also addressing the profound ethical questions it raises. The College offers students a range of AI-related courses, along with new certificates in ethics and generative AI. Seed grants and programs support training and research, and the new College AI Incubator will serve as a hub for faculty collaboration and student training in AI-related research.
In Action
- Johannes U. Lange (Physics) and physics undergraduate Abby Fisher were part of the international team that released the most detailed 3D map of the cosmos,which will help scientists tackle questions from the evolution of galaxies and black holes to the nature of dark energy.
- Silvina Guidoni (Physics) was part of a team that published Synthetic Remote-sensing and In-situ Observations of Fine-scale Structure in a Pseudostreamer Coronal Mass Ejection through the Solar Corona in ,which develops methods in computational heliophysics that will help us understand the dynamics of our Sun.
- Thomas Costello (Psychology) was part of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team who created DebunkBot, an artificial intelligence bot that challenges conspiracy beliefs. He studies political and social beliefs using AI and the tools of personality, cognitive, clinical, and political science.
- Mark Nelson (Computer Science) received an SEK 253,880 from Vinnova, the Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems, for the project Foraging Games: Exploring Generative AI systems to tackle high-dimensional game design spaces."
- Leah Ding (Computer Science) rreceived a $148,430 NASA grant for the project Enhancing Ice Cloud Retrieval Through Multitask Machine Learning. She also received a $30,000 NASA grant for Enhancing pIWP Retrieval through Multi-task Learning.
- Nathalie Japkowicz and Zois Boukouvalas (Data Science) published (Cambridge University Press, 2024). It looks at ways to evaluate machine learning systems, including how to ensure fairness and avoid bias.
Searches are currently underway for AI-focused faculty across multiple disciplines, including Computer Science/Physics, Ethics, Digital Cultures in Literature, and Economics, all seeking tenure-track experts in AI.
Iris, AUs first artificial intelligence robot, recognizes faces, speaks in nine languages, and answers complex questions using ChatGPT and Google technology.
Gift from Hamoon and Nancy Hedayat establishes Hedayat Fund for Generative Artificial Intelligence, which will spark interdisciplinary work in AI research and ethics.
Dr. Laura DeNardis, Director of the Center for Digital Ethics, Professor, and Endowed Chair in Technology, Ethics, and Society at Georgetown University, spoke with CAS Professors Luis Cerezo Ceballos and Despina Kakoudaki during the 2025 Mathias Student Research Conference on Ethical Flashpoints in AI.
AU physicists contributed to the , capturing 18.7 million galaxies, quasars, and stars.
Curricula
Below is a sampling of the AI-related courses across the College. View the full AU course catalogue.
Computer Science
- CSC 124: Exploring AI & Programming
- CSC 432: Intro to Simulation and Modeling
- CSC 468: Artificial Intelligence
- CSC 476: Computer Vision
- CSC 480: Intro to Data Mining
- CSC 481: Machine Learning for Cybersecurity
- CSC 483: Big Data Computing and Machine Learning
- CSC 484: Ethical & Legal Issues in Computing
- CSC 486: Deep Learning for Vision
Data Science
- DATA 441: Natural Language Processing
- DATA 442: Advanced Machine Learning
Economics
- ECON 450: Growing Artificial Societies
Environmental Science
- ENVS 430 Environmental Modeling
- ENVS 450 Environmental Data Analysis
Literature
- LIT 302: Ethics of Writing Creatively
Philosophy
- PHIL 435: Digital Ethics & Social Equity
Physics
- PHYS 396: Data Mining and Machine Learning for Natural Sciences
- PHYS 380: Mathematical and Computational Physics
- PHYS 460: Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 490: Independent Study in Physics and AI
Psychology
- PSYC 455: Cyberpsychology
Statistics
- STAT 427: Statistical Machine Learning
Creative Writing
- WRT 210: Rhetoric of Digital Culture
Faculty Research Publications
Science
Thomas Costello
(Cambridge University Press, 2024)
Nathalie Japkowicz and Zois Boukouvalas
News and Highlights
Meet Iris: AU Unveils its First Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robot
Aref Zahed launches an advanced AI robot that recognizes faces, speaks in nine languages, and answers complex questions using ChatGPT and Google technology.
Full story
Can We Trust AI? Making Artificial Intelligence Safe and Responsible
Professors Nathalie Japkowicz and Zois Boukouvalas publish Machine Learning Evaluation: Towards Reliable and Responsible AI, a timely guide to testing and evaluating AI.
Photo credit: Rokas - stock.adobe.com
Full story
AI DebunkBot Effectively Persuades People from Believing Conspiracy Theories
An interview with DebunkBot creator and AU Psychology Professor Thomas Costello
Full story
Will Human Writing Survive in an Era of Generative AI?
Who Wrote This? by renowned linguist Naomi S. Baron examines the promise and peril of writing in the AI age
Full story
Data Science BS Program Is First in DC to Receive ABET Accreditation
American Universitys Bachelor of Science Data Science program recognized by prestigious Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Full story
What Is the Future of ChatGPT, and Could It Be a Threat to Civilization?
Economist and statistician Nimai Mehta answers our question of the week
Full story
Mapping the Universe: AU Researchers Contribute to 3D Cosmic Atlas
Professor Johannes U. Lange and Physics Student Abby Fisher are part of groundbreaking international DESI team research
Full story
AI Spider Robot Makes Debut at American University
Aref Zahed launches AI robot that can move, speak, recognize faces, and answer questions using ChatGPT technology
Full story
Media Hits
- Professor Emeritus Naomi Baron in the news:
Los Angeles Herald, January 20, 2023
NBC4 酴圖弝け, February 10, 2023
The Conversation, April 27, 2023
- Professor Thomas Costello in the news:
New York Times, September 12, 2024
Popular Science, September 12, 2024
The Guardian, September 12, 2024
For More Information
Stay tuned for more updates as we develop this exciting new hub for generative AI research and education at the College of Arts and Sciences! For more information about donating and becoming a partner in this exciting effort, please contact Michael Scott at mjscott@american.edu.