Goergen Institute’s name change reflects University of Rochester’s artificial intelligence expertise
The newly retitled Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence serves as an interdisciplinary hub of experts at Rochester.
image: Wegmans Hall on the University of Rochester's River Campus houses the newly renamed Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Credit: University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster
An interdisciplinary hub at the University of Rochester has been renamed to reflect its deep expertise encompassing two rapidly growing fields of research. The new moniker for the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GIDS-AI)—previously the Goergen Institute for Data Science—is intended to communicate the University’s leadership in both AI and data science.
“AI has historically been a subdiscipline of computer science, but has been playing a central role in broader, interdisciplinary initiatives in data science, which emerged as a new discipline over the past decade,” says Mujdat Cetin, the Robin and Tim Wentworth Director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. “GIDS-AI serves as an important facilitator that creates opportunities for Rochester faculty and students to engage in collaborative work where the disciplines overlap.”
The University has been a leader in AI research and education for more than 50 years, dating back to the founding of the Department of Computer Science in 1974. Since then, Rochester’s computer science faculty have made major contributions to the field of AI, including with seminal texts in computer vision and natural language processing. Cetin says GIDS-AI’s close relationship with the department is critical to staying on the cutting edge of AI research.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, GIDS-AI has grown to include more than 100 affiliated faculty across the University. The institute currently offers a bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of science (BS), master of science (MS), and advanced certificate in data science. This fall, the Institute will launch a new online professional master’s program in healthcare AI and data science in partnership with the UR Health Lab.
Cetin says the institute is planning to offer other learning opportunities in data science and AI in partnership with other units. As an example, this fall, the Department of Computer Science and GIDS-AI plan to pilot an “AI for All” class to empower students not only to use AI in ways beneficial to their education and beyond, but also to help them navigate doing so in a safe and ethical fashion. The course, which would not have prerequisites or require previous experience with AI, would also provide intuitive perspectives on how AI works and show students how they can stay up to date with rapidly developing advances throughout their careers.
Cetin, who has served as director since 2020, was reappointed to lead GIDS-AI for another five-year term.
In addition to its academic offerings, GIDS-AI houses the Center of Excellence in Data Science (CoE). Funded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR), the CoE aims to help drive regional economic development through supporting basic research, training, and technology development in data science and AI.